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October 13th, 2008 @ 14:21
Sony’s just posted details of the next Firmware updates for both PS3 and PSP, 2.50 and 5.00 respectively.
There’s a bunch of new functionality in there, but no date aside from “soon”. What you’re going to get, word for word, is after the break
PS3 Firmware 2.50
* Support for the PS3 Official Bluetooth Headset - we’ve told you about the upcoming Bluetooth Headset and SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation Bundle on the Blog. This latest firmware installment enables High-Quality (HQ) mode, which delivers clear and wide-band online voice chat. On top of that, an added on-screen indicator shows battery status, volume level and use of HQ mode.
* PlayStation Trophies interface enhancements - I know that many of you are busy collecting trophies and raising your PlayStation Trophy level. This update makes sharing and comparing your trophies with your friends even easier. On 1st part of the profile page you’ll see a symbol under level that represents level and the actual percentage towards the next level along with the existing level meter. The level symbol carries over to the trophy comparison screen where you will now be able to see your level, your friend’s level and the percentage towards the next level for both users along with all of the game by game comparison information you see today.
* Friend status – Offline friends on your Friends list will have information below their avatars that will indicate how long it has been since they were last online.
* Video – This update adds the Scene Search feature similar to the feature on the PSP. Activating this feature while viewing a video on the PS3 will break the video up into scenes that you can quickly access by pressing the X button. You can break the videos into one, two or five minute intervals. In addition, you can now choose to have all of the videos under the video section of the XMB play in sequence. Go to Settings then Video Settings to turn this option on.
* PlayStation Store – We’ve added a redeem codes option right on the store to make it easier to redeem your PlayStation Network Cards and promotion codes. In addition, PlayStation Network Sign Up and Account Management have been redesigned.
* Power Save Settings – You can now set your PS3 and wireless controllers to turn off automatically after set periods of inactivity. Go to Settings then Power Save Settings to turn on these features.
* Background Downloading - You now have the option to set the PS3 to turn off automatically after a background download or installation of content has completed. This option is available when you turn off the system from the button under [Users] while content is being downloaded or installed.
* In-game Screenshots - this tool will allow everyone to capture, share and in other words, immortalize their favorite gameplay moments. This will be supported on a game by game basis. Please check back to find out which games will support this feature.
* In addition to all of the features above there are some additional features and enhancements included in 2.50. Once the update launches, you can read all of the details here.
PSP Firmware 5.00
Let’s start with the v5.00 update for PSP. In this version, you’ll notice the addition of the PlayStation Network icon on the XMB. You can now sign up for PlayStation Network, manage your account and access PlayStation Store directly from your PSP - meaning you can download games directly to your PSP while connected via Wi-Fi. Getting games, demos and trailers while on-the-go has never been easier! Check out the screen below.
The current PlayStation Store on the PC will be down in the interim as we take some time to revamp. Don’t worry, it will re-launch soon after we’ve made some tweaks. Please keep in mind, if you already have a PlayStation Network account, simply sign in on your PSP using your existing information. The same account and wallet can be used on PS3 and PSP. You will be able to check out the PlayStation Store on the PSP soon, as we’ll have a video demo featuring Grace Chen posted soon on the Blog.
PSP3000Black-PSStore
Update v5.00 adds a sleep timer option that can be used while you are playing music on your PSP. In addition, we’ve added a full screen keyboard option for text entry and have redesigned the background of the XMB. You’ll be able to find all of the information on Firmware v5.00 here once it goes live.
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October 13th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
It should be out tomorrow as it supports the official BT headset and thats in SOCOM which is out in the US tomorrow.
October 13th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Some very welcome PS3 changes here, particularly pertaining to friends and automatic shutdown options. Good update.
I confess I haven’t switched on my PSP in two months….
(Edit) PS What’s the usual gap between announcement and roll-out?
October 13th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Lots to be looking forward to, one really niggly thing for me though, the ability to change the colour of the text on thr XMB would be very welcome, especially with the amount of white backgrounded themes coming out.
October 13th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
The firmware updates usually happens on a Tuesday so maybe it’s out tomorrow.
October 13th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Eregol: This is also good from an accessibility standpoint, if they include this then it would be nice if they would also include XMB scaling. I don’t really see how this would harm the XMB if done properly. If they did this, then they’d have some nice bragging rights: the first console with full accessibility control for poor-sighted users.
Being a gamer with less than grand sight myself, I’d certainly appreciate this change and sing their praises for it. At the moment, I tend to “read” the XMB by icons, it’d be nice to be able to read all the text too.
October 15th, 2008 at 8:15 am
I just wish it would tell me how many friends I had online at once rather than listing them all. I’ve got nearly 100 friends on my PS3 and when I switch it on it laboriously tells me each individual user that’s online. Just give me “You have 45 friends online” instead.
Easy.
October 15th, 2008 at 8:23 am
The closer the PS3 gets to having the features and support of xbox live the more likely a monthly or yearly subscription will happen.
With all the servers they run and content they are providing and home around the corner just all seems a bit much for them to run without a sustainable income. Advertising might be the answer but I doubt that will pay for the up keep in the long run.