Hi everyone, PlayStation 3 (PS3) firmware update (v3.00) adds a number of great new features that we’re excited to share with you. The latest update incorporates changes that improve navigation on your PS3. First, you’ll notice some cosmetic changes to the design of the XMB (Xross Media Bar). We’ve enhanced the look and feel of the XMB so that it’s easier and even more intuitive to use. We’ve also added network improvements and personalization options to help enhance your PS3 experience.
Additional highlights from update 3.00 include:
- “What’s New” – The “Information Board” will be replaced with a “What’s New” section, which allows you to enjoy interactive PlayStation news every time you start the PS3 system. Located under the PlayStation Network icon, “What’s New” displays the latest and greatest game, video, PlayStation Network and PlayStation news and releases, as well as your recently played games, in a sleek, new animated format.
- Status Indicator – In the top right corner we’ve added an indicator bar, which displays your user icon, friend icon, the number of friends you have online and a small message icon to let you know if you have any new messages. The indicator also includes a scrolling ticker that features the latest news from PlayStation Network. In addition, when you press the PS button, the battery life indicator will no longer cover up the clock.
- Friends List – Now your PlayStation Network friends will appear in a slightly redesigned format on your Friends List. Also, messages will now be viewable from each of your friends’ respective profiles.
- PlayStation Store Shortcuts – We’ve added a handy shortcut icon to the PlayStation Store under both the Game and Video categories so you can access the latest content quickly and easily.
- Personalization – Personalize your PS3 with new dynamic custom themes and avatars. Dynamic themes as well as free and premium avatars will be available through PlayStation Store. A dynamic theme takes your screen to a whole new level as it incorporates animated objects into the background.
- Trophies – Showcasing your hard earned trophies just got better. Update 3.00 gives game developers the ability to modify how they display trophies for add-on content. Base and add-on game trophies will continue to be combined into a single list so you can see where you stand in a game as a whole. Within that list, trophies will be broken out into subcategories—base trophies and add-on trophies—that way, you can easily view the percentage of your base game trophy collection, and separately track your trophy progress in add-on packs. Look for this enhancement to be included in upcoming games.
To get a preview of what’s coming in update 3.00, check out the video below:
We’re looking forward to releasing firmware update 3.00 soon. As always, we appreciate your feedback.
???
is this update released today?
That’s great! Now we just need in-game XMB chat and we’ll be set
Looks good. I however have a few issues with it.
The Store icon in video and game could be bothersome, it will just clutter up the system. Lack of cross voice chat is sad also, I don’t really care because I don’t really play online games, but if it would put some people at ease, it should be done. What I am really disappointed about is the lack of BC. I have a launch 60 gig so it’s not too big a deal for me, but others seem to really want it. And I want to tell people when they ask me if they should get a PS3, that it IS backwards compatible.
Backwards compatibility is VERY important to me, and I can tell you this right now, if the PS4 does not have backwards compatibility, I will simply not purchase it and no longer play video games.
I do love the aesthetic changes!
Thank you for showing you listened to the Battery Location along with the need for more Avatars. I really like in general the convenient notifiers on that info bar in the upper right hand corner.
The new Theme’s look AMAZING! I knew our current theme’s were just the tip of the ice burg for what the PS3 could do.
How is the game launching from the What’s New different from the actual game launching? Does this cache the game in the background to be pulled up as though it was paused???
You listened to us about these little changes here are the big one’s we still want you to tackle…
1. Cross Game Voice Chat
2. A web browser that can Play Hulu again
3. Abillity to have our Home Avatar in our Gamer Card for our Profile
4. More video file type support (ie: MKV)
5. Abillity to choose which section the PS3 boots to
6. More Music Player Visualizer Options (like the PSP has 10 or so)
great , new avatars , new themes (i hope you add more FREE themes every month or something like that)
Cross Game Chat =D
“Join to a Friend” (while he´s playing the same game)
Please?
Didn’t Sony filed a patent for ps2 compatibility without the use ps2 componants and just using the cell processor to emulate the ps2 games. I mean through firmware updates they can theoretically have every ps3 emulate and play ps2 games. Why wasn’t anything announced?
Cool but disappointed :(. Seriously though we need more info on what are friends are doing on the PSN, wether there’re surfing on the internet or playing on a PS1 game so I don’t end up getting a chat invite while on the internet without the friend knowing you’re on it or know which part on any PSN game you’re on like in the menus or lobby. And a more simplistic in-game xmb so it isn’t cluttered with things that I don’t use and don’t have to wait for awhile for it to load. I’ll give this firmware a try though thanks.
why doesnt Sony you include a bluetooth headset with the console so that people can communicate with others instead of having to buy one seperatly?
No story on the price cut or the slim?? It’s all over the web right now.
No cross game voice chat? This update is disappointing.
when the hell will this update be released?
Whats with the incapable interaction designers, Sony?
why is this being praised? Its pointless.
What about things we would actually benefit from like x-game chat, ability to message from psn on the net to ps3 users?
All the stuff that 360 users had from day one!
Pointless, yet again.
Also, howabout a MAG/headset bundle?
I read somewher, I think joystiq a while back that cross game chatting is coming…they just want to do it right before they release it and not release it half arsed. I personally hope it comes soon. It’s a feature I sorely want as well.
a bunch of awesome news today!!! Keep it up :)
AH….thank you! I tried sorting them by album before, and it put all the PS3 and PSP files in one folder. I didn’t know that I could change the “album” name for each file. I have 170 PS3 files. I guess I better charge up my key pad. Thanks again!
That’s hella siiiiick!!!!!
I love seeing these new updates. I love the what’s new section because when I turn on my XBOX the first thing I do is look at the new INSIDE XBOX videos.
I love being able to see what’s going on in the world of playstation and the feeling that you guys are always involved with it.
this is cool yes, but what we really need is in game chats like xbox live that is what we really need it has been a year since talk of this
Please reconsider adding the PS Store shortcuts to the Game and Video sections. I do not want extra shortcuts cluttering up the XMB.
The older PS3s can play PS2 games…
Pretty cool update. Cant wait for my PS3 to come back home so I can get this update as soon as it releases.
Love that trophy fix so you can still have 100% without having to buy the DLC. That was a really cool move.
Cool new avitars. I doubt I will change mine but nice move there.
I love that status indicator too.
This all sounds so cool. Thanks.
i know I’m super late for comments, but what happened to the monthly updates? I hope those premium avatars are animated at least! XD…
I really appreciate the update and stuff, but I’m one of the few that updated to 2.80 there should’ve been something more. Hmm…
UPDATE 3.01: The status bar now shows the amount of friends you have online in relation to how many you have in total! (suggestion)
I say that because I hate counting my friends and what if I wanted to add someone and didn’t know how many friends I have. I don’t know whether to delete someone or what! This would be a nice addition. Although, the core update is too freakin awesome.
yeh but the newer ones can’t
Awesome! Nice job Sony, you can have a cookie :P
Nice
sum 1 message me on psn n tell me when the update 3.00 is realeased
Are Eric about to set a new record on this here blog? :-) The record of a blog entry with the most comments without a single reply.
holy crap! finally new avatars! great news! great update!
I really hope to see an Eyepet animated theme =)
Yes can not wait till this comes out Sony UR the Best.
AMAZING UPDATE!!
When will we be able to navigate with the PS3 Eye, that will be a cool add on to one of the updates.
Well the first best good update of 2009.
according to eu.playsation.com release date it 1 Sept
Other features of the new PS3 include:
PS3 system software update version 3.00
Concurrently with the release of new PS3, system software will be upgraded to version 3.00 on September 1, 2009. The update adds various user-friendly features such as the What’s New screen, where users can quickly browse the new items available in PlayStation Store as well as their recently played games directly on the XMB (XrossMediaBar), with short cuts to each piece of content.
cool
The new features are just all about looks…no truly new features aside from cosmetic…This is pretty lame for a 3.0 update.
omg weres the ingame music? :(
they said it would be the answer to xbox live
gotta say tho big improvement, but still abit to go!
good job sony looks fer cool tho :D
when soon???? i want the upgrade!!!!!!!thats so awsome!!! i want the sparkles! lo0l
this a garbage update.
need a new interface cause that on is [DELETED].
like when are you guys gonna realize that it looks like [DELETED].
Party Room with cross game chat
and what the hell are these B.S Sparkle who told you that would be good.
you say you listen to the community i don’t see it people have been asking for cross game chat since the beginning and we still don’t have it how hard can it be to do that.
Big Disappointment
Update 3.0 Garbage total Fail
hopefully the next update is better
Damn
Wouldn’t hurt if HOME would give rewards by unlocking features, giveaways, beta entries etc, to those who gained trophies to related spaces. maybe it can be done vice versa, especially on multi plat games.
Very nice! keep up the great work.
no ingame chat or private chat?? other than that it looks great
Coming out with this useless update is no different then grabbing your ankles and letting someone have his way with you.
We want cross game voice chat
We want to be able to leave voice messages
This update is just whip cream on crap. Fix the real issues SONY!!!
OMG!!!! very nice =]
Damn, I’m late to the party.
YAY!
Is there someting known about .mkv support? That would be really nice. Sony, keep up the good work!