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.
Ok, only a good update!
Clock fixed, trophies and personalization are nice, but…
When will be possible play using a BT headset?
As cool as the new themes are, it would’ve been better if there was something for PS2 backwards compatibility and cross game chat…then again, this is Sony! They never listen to their fans!
I mean, who honestly wanted these new themes? How long have we been asking for cross game chat and PS2 BC?
I might as well not update the console until something that’s actually worth updating for comes along.
This is great and but it should have been released way back. Where is the cross game chat? Where is the ability to listen to music during anygame? PS2 backwards compatibility? If this it done it will set sony apart for sure…….. Can we expect 3.1 right after this one lol?
viry nice. just need better web more apps
Premium avatars? That’s not going to go over well. Still, I’m tired of the pinecone I used as my avatar. I have a comet now, though. It’s alright.
Go Sony. Do what you gotta do to get back on the throne. PS3 Slim will surely help, what with it’s sexy price tag.
we need bc
BTW, did you guys figure out a good use for the shortcut buttons on the keypad? because basically, the inbox and the friendlist are at the same spot, I still dont really see the use for both. If the inbox shortcut would directly open up the oldest unread message, that would be useful!
will the whats new section be region free?
cause my PS3 shows UK news but i don’t live in the UK
oh yeah is the video store coming to Canada?
as for Erniejpan STFU
seriously PS store icons everywhere seriously?… c’mon im perfectly able to find my way to the store with no problem. seriously?…. c’mon.besides that good job all will come in good time just be patient peps… i mean compared to how it was when PS3 first came out you got nothing to complain about I member we had nothing in the beginning.
@345,
you are the MAN
I love having so much win on my PS3 ♥
when will the firmware be avalible??
I want my home avatar on the xmb that’s
I have no idea why everyone is going crazy for that stupid chat thing
WOW! This looks great thanks for the heads up Eric. :)
WHERE IS VOICE CHAT COME ON SONY
As someone who has designed over a handful of my own themes to date (many of which have seemed to received fairly good feedback), the idea of dynamic themes is really intriguing.
However, if this will be limited to certain developers than I would very much appreciate information on how I can get in on that. If not, where/when can I expect more information on adding these features to new themes (as well as updating my older themes)?
Like the new additions as well.
still no mention of cross game oice niiiicee…..
They didnt add many features that are valuable to the customer–just stuff for them to milk money out of people in the playstation store. Themes ($), premium avatars ($), and links everywhere to the playstation store ($).
So what is there in this update for someone who plays games?
You know all in all the update looks like a plus. One thing I always liked about the XMB was its minimalist nature as compared to the Xbox 360’s experience.
What I am concerned about is the fact that although the information board has been replaced it has only moved to underneath the new addition in the top right hand corner.
Will there be a way as to where you can remove the scrolling icon as it will seem to cheezy and just clutter the screen just that much more w/movement. It can be argued that the sparkles in the back are too much as well but i take it that changing the theme option will fix that.
Thanks for the update guys.
the ability to listen to music during anygame? PS2 backwards compatibility? If this it done it will set sony apart for sure……..
Generally, pretty nice. I have a few concerns though:
1) I like the status box at the top right, although I think the text inside looks a bit crowded. (the elements desperately need breathing room) Can we turn off the “new” ticker? (I find it ultra distracting and annoying…)
2) You say in the video that certain icons will lead to the “official game site” or “store page”. It would be great if you added an mini-icon or some sort of clue which it will be going to. For example, I should know before I select whether it is going to take me to the store page or launching the web browser.
I get the fact that Sony wants the Playstation Store to be easily accessible and hype up the benefits of the store (to generate more income ;)), but please don’t use the “shotgun” approach of just adding links to the store everywhere, hoping we go by dumb luck since the icons are scattered all over the place. :\ It kind of makes sense to add PSN links to the appropriate sections of the XMB, I just wish it was a bit more subtle rather than so “in your face”…
Keep up the great work!
Sweet! I know u can’t make the ps3 BC but you guys can put ps2 games on the psn to be plsyed on the ps3..you know how much guap you’ll recieve! People will be like ” the xbox? whats a xbox..it’s all about that playstation!”
Thx again for Voice Chat!
Eric,
Will it be possible to create your own dynamic themes and share them with friends? Also, when is MKV support coming (or the new Divx standard)?
well done!
Now what’s going to happen to us Canadians and that Playstation Store Icon under the Video Section?
Very nice… too bad Sony’s putting more effort into adding more MARKETING tools instead of USABILITY to the users. The major change is that we can buy from more sections in the PS3, oh yeah, and we have animated themes.. and you finally fixed the clock glitch.
Real thanks, Sony. I’m starting to hate myself for choosing the Playstation instead of the Xbox. Where’s social networking??
Disappointing.
GOING TO EXPLODE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this next update is sweet and it’s good that you guys decided to add more avatars but you guys still gotta add cross game voice chat
@JKimapalooza
“People always find something to complain about. Anyways, for what it’s worth, this is a fantastic update! Can’t wait until September 1! Keep up the Good Work, Sony!”
SHUT UP!!!! U DON’T WANT CROSS GAME CHAT????!!!! FREAKING ERIC!! HE EVEN RECOGNIZES THAT SOOOOO MANY PEOPLE NEED CROSS GAME CHAT, AND HE DOESN’T EVEN DO ANYTHING!!! IS THAT UR WAY OF IGNORING UR CUSTOMERS???!!! U R LOSING UR FANBASE BY FREAKING PUTTING USELESS THINGS IN A FIRMWARE UPDATE!!!!!
Why do we still not have a party system? I understand cross game chat needs a lot of testing. I understand backward compatibility is complex. This is 3.00, and we still do not have a party/buddy system.
Add a skunk avatar please. I’m getting annoyed by not being able to have a skunk as my avatar.
Could we please, please, please see some additional “media” based features added to a future firmware update?
– Netflix streaming
– Internet radio (like the PSP)
– Support for iTunes shared libraries
OMG you rearranged some menus and added an incoming message notification! Man that must have taken you guys years to do all that! Guys, take a well deserved rest before you next log in to Xbox Live and see what other features Xbox users take for granted you can copy.
And to all you people thinking that Sony is just sitting on there butts. If you hadn’t noticed most of the things that they just announced at GamesCom is about the PSN.
Sony is improving the PSN every day more then Microsoft is doing for the 360. Just shut up. God they dont have to do anything for you goddamn complainers.
Every single Fing time Sony annouces something new and better for PSN all you do is complain. I bet when they announce cross game chat you will complain ” wha wha its not running fast enough for me. I have nothing better to do but complain about you guys all day while you guys are working on making PSN better, wha wha.”
Just be grateful for once you ingrates, that Sony keeps supporting PSN after the last 5 firmwares you guys complained about.
Sony, you guys did good today. I know that Microsoft is s***ing in their pants right now. Its time for the big PlayStation comeback to start.
ERIC. We know about the patent you guys had approved for PS2 Emotion Engine emulation. WHY WON’T YOU LET US HAVE BACKWARDS COMPATIBILITY??????????? Oh and support for more codecs. But THAT’S ALL I ASK FOR! I DON’T CARE ABOUT SPARKLES IN THE BACKGROUND OR A PRETTY CONTENT SECTION.
CROSS GAME VOICE CHAT?!?!?!?!?!?! thats all i would like to say.
Just saw the video and Im so exited. Video in the background, nice. Finally we get NEW AVITARS. I wonder if the video background feature will come to the psp.
LBP THEME FTW!!! (Seriously, looks great)
Hopefully this is out soon.
My original comment was too long, so it will be short.
This is awful – marketing crap will now assault me when I turn on my PS3. How wonderfully like the 360! There is a reason I prefer the XMB over 360’s dash, but now that reason is quickly draining away.
Not all of us are brain-dead idiots that can’t find the Playstation Store or are not familiar with what the TRIANGLE button does whenever we move around the XMB.
THIS IS THE WORST NEWS I HAVE EVER HEARD IN THE PS3’S LIFETIME. And the bad part is….most people are probably praising it? Why? Who knows..
Dynamic Themes are nice (where was this at launch? late as usual, Sony) but avatars? Really? What did I buy? A sony product, or a microsoft product?
@Mr_Everest Netflix streaming will never come to the PS3. Microsoft has an exclusive deal with them.
– Where’s the backwards compatibility?
– Cross voice chat?
– More necessary updates for PlayTV?
Woot. Now we need content sharing in home. Work on that Sony!
WE Cross Game CHAT
WE NEED IT NOW NOW NOW
MKV support(DivX7 HD)? Media playback improvments?
@PshycoNinja
THATS THE FREAKING PROBLEM!!! EVERYONE LIKE THE WAY PSN IS RIGHT NOW!! NOBODY IS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH IT!!!! THEY ARE WORKING THEIR BUTTS OFF FOR NO REASON!!!! WE NEED CROSS GAME CHAT AND THEY KNOW THAT WE DESIRE IT THAT MUCH!!!!
I really don’t want to see the store in every section. I already go to the store every Thursday to see what’s new…this is just going to be another key press for no reason other than you wanting more people to see it’s there. You should put an option to disable this.
Very nice update….
I’m still waiting on, enhancements to the MUSIC section, like more visual equalizers, Bigger Album art display options, more audio codec support like Flac, Ogg, and better music management. Oh and the return of DSD to DTS conversion for Super-Audio CDs without HDMI connections.
SkyPe for PS3?