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.
when for us dolphinziyo
YEAH WHAT ABOUT LISTENING TO MUSIC PLAYING A GAME NOT ONE BUT ALL OF THEM????????????????????????????
when will the update come in the U.S.
The PSStore links are kind of disappointing, and I would rather get some new free avatars, or better yet! Avatars that match the games you own/buy (free and paid) I’m just tired of my bomb guy and I already used the lil skull with scythe…
Oh well, I still love my PS3. keep up the good work guys.
YEAH WERE IS ALL THE CROSS GAMES CHAT CROSS MESSAGES VOICE MESSAGES
Wow this is great. Can’t wait.
Either not available in USA? Ok..
A lot of great work guys, this is a step in the right direction!
Ads in my face! Yes! Just what I always wanted. So now that you have taken care of your pocketbook Sony, with the colorful ads, can you give us an internet browser that works? One that doesn’t break every time a new X.01 Flash version comes out?
BTW, I just paid > 100 for my ps3 repair and of course I lost everything. I put the old 20gb drive in and sent it in. When the repaired PS3 came back I put my drive back in and it doesn’t work. So I call… ‘You need to back it up before sending it in’. ‘How can I back it up when it overheats in < 1 second and turns itself off?'. 'Oh, um…… yeah, hmm…'
Great thanks, I'll just start over on every game I own. Good thing I didn't go with that cheaper system. Sorry for the bitterness, but I will never be an early adopter with Sony again.
When is 3.0 going to get released Eric?
When is the firmware update 3.00 going to get released?
Any specific date ?
Trying to wait patiently. Usually when they say soon it’s up in a couple of hours. lol!
Backward compatibility !!
when is it coming out
ooh cool cant wait to see this on my ps3 slim XD.
sony, why cant do make it, so we create our own avatar?
oops, *why cant you make it,*
I love pretty much everything; you guys went above and beyond what was expected of this update.
HOWEVER, the only thing that bugs me is the news ticker under the new status stuff.
a) It just looks dumb scrolling all the time.
b) I don’t want a news ticker. Otherwise I’d just use the Information Board. Which is now obsolete.
c) Why would I even NEED a news ticker if it defaults to the What’s New section every time I turn on my PS3?
So please tell me I can turn that off. I’d rather my actual status stuff be bigger.
Though I do commend you; status stuff goes a long way in making people care about their PSN identity.
Finally, you should let people choose where they want the PS3 to default turn on to. I’m sure there are a lot of people that use it strictly as a Blu-ray player that would like it to default to video. I’m totally willing to give the What’s New section a chance but if I don’t like it, I want to default back to Game.
Cool. I’m looking forward to the new themes the most.
Where is the Cross Game Voice Chat???????????????????????????????????????????????????
Please give us Feedback!!!
It is being released Sept. 1. The European version of this same demo has shown that the news ticker can be disabled.
I agree the multiple PS Store icons is completely stupid. Stupid! Especially considering that the video store icon is useless to me and will remain so likely at least another year.
Oh man PS3 just keeps getting better and better and the best part is you guys are taking us on the trip to XD
KEEP THE UPDATES COMING!!!!
awesome, thank you Sony.
keep bringing out fine firmware updates every so often and your fans will continue to be pleased.
as for those who continue to cry about cross game chat or bc capabilities, please stop. either will be available in due time i am sure.
Hi Mr. Lempel.
I am just wondering if there is a date known at Sony but not told to the public. When is 3.0 released?
CAN WE PLEASE GET THE ABILITY TO PLAY OUR OWN MUSIC IN THE BACKGROUND WHILE WE PLAY GAMES???
Please.
haha
I can’t imagine having more fun that slaying on Modern Warfare 2 while listening to Machinehead
i think everyone needs to speak for themselves. WONDERFUL update guys. i got an original 60GB so i have my PS2 and gross game voice chat. im not so freaking needy about that. text chat is good enough for me.
Until cross-game chat is implemented into the PS3, 360 fans will continue to say that their console is better. If you love our feedback why aren’t you listening to us? We’ve wanted cross-game chat since the day the PS3 came out. Come on Sony make it happen :(
everyone keeps talkin about cross game chat and party chat and stuff..it’s gunna happen just give them time..remember we arent paying for online play…sooo chill
@Sonicivo3
Better yet, we don’t pay for the updates.
They are free.
But unlike Apple, you have to pay to get the update for iPhone/iPod Touch.
SO far this Update really excite me !!! WOHOOO!!! I love the moving theme .. this is just wat i imagine and they read my mind .. good work guys !! improving PS3 XMB really makes me enjoy my PS3 more and more .. I also hope a few improvement on the Cross game chat .. really wish that .. hope u guys listen and read .. otherwise all is perfect job.. Keep up with the update ..
if you dont like the updates then go buy a 360, this is all FREE. either quit your complaining or leave lol
Awesome
I hope to see Party Chat soon.
Party chat might be hard to program. The PS3 uses a language called Triple. You hear game companies complain about how hard it is to make games for it. However, Sony created the code. There is no reason that it would be any strain to make cross game chat. If i can pull up the XMB in-game, I should be able to start a chat even with JUST ONE PERSON.
Cool when does it come out!!!
Will you have to pay for dynamic themes? I’m not really a big fan of paying for virtual items.
Oh also, my friend George has a 60 gig JAPANESE PS3, THE JAPANESE PS3 MODELS HAVE CROSS-GAME CHAT. THEY HAVE HAD IT SINCE 2.4 FIRMWARE UPDATE I AM NOT JOKING I WAS JUST TALKING TO HIM ABOUT THIS. IT’S THE EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN SONY CORPORATIONS WHO AREN’T IMPLEMENTING IT TO US.
Something is better than nothing I guess. It’s fuuny to think when rumors start about the PS3. They always get the damn firmware wrong. Well at least we have the best blu ray player out there. After all that’s what I bought my PS3 for lol.
“We look forward to your feedback”
But you don’t take anything into account. If I was your boss, you would not be employed for very much longer. This system is out of date and out of touch with todays gamer. Flame on fanboys, same goes for the 360 hardware failure rates, inexcusable.
“We look forward to your feedback”
Why? You never listen to what we want.
We want cross game chat
We want to be able to leave voice messages
It took you guys this long to add some bubbles in the background and put some ads up?
THIS UPDATE SUCKS!!!
@1187
You and your friend are full of [DELETED].
@1187
You and your friend are full of !#&$.
Another suggestion. Can you Please make a back up method that allows you to choose what info you wanted backed up. Maybe a check box method whith categories such as Game Save Data, Videos, Music, Games & Demos, etc.
wat a load of rubbish. when will sony forget all this crap and listn to the gamers and not tell us what we want. we want to be able to talk to our friends no matter wat games we are on. that is the only thing that needs sorting out and they decide to waste there time making all this rubbish. WE NEED PARTY CHAT PLEASE LISTN SONY.
CROSS GAME CHAT PLEASE!! Thats all we keep asking for! Greatly appreciate the other updates and addition, but CROS GAM CHAT PLEASE!!
Will you guys put a comment on the blog when it is live?
Looking forward to this!
BTW guys stop asking for BC since BC is hardware-based, NOT software-. Those of us who don’t have it won’t get it unless we find + buy the old 160 GB system.
Peace
I still like my tiger thingy avatar… cool themes by the way…
Will we be able to download game updates in the background this time around, and better yet, not having to start the game just to start the download?
I doubt my message would be read but I was REALLY hoping for some REAL updates in the Friends list (including messages functions i.e. “Mark All as Read”). In addition, I had hoped to have the “Comment” section above the PSN id extended because it is simply “too short.”
Please take these views into consideration, and once again thanks for all the hard work!
@ Knexnapper
The 60 GB and 20 GB PS3s used hardware-based BC. The old 80 GB used software based BC via emulation.