Exclusive: the first images of PS3 firmware 2.00
Click for high-resolution image.
- Remote Start - As hinted by the last PSP firmware update, Remote Play has been enhanced with a brand new feature. Using Remote Start, PSP owners will be able to turn on and access their PS3's content from any wi-fi hotspot. For example, while vacationing, you may find out about an excellent Thursday Store update. You'll be able to turn on your PS3 and start downloading content to your PS3 while you're away. When you're done, you can turn the system off as well.
- Information Board - On the upper right-hand corner of the XMB, you'll see a scrolling list of headlines, hand-picked by Sony. Currently, these will all be related to video games and PlayStation. If a specific headline is particularly interesting, PS3 owners will be able to access Information Board from Network and see the content in greater detail. Importing your own RSS feeds is something that's planned for a future firmware upgrade. This feature can be disabled in Settings.
Gallery: PS3 firmware 2.00
Click for high-resolution image.
- Themes - PSP owners recently got access to the ability to create custom themes for their system. PS3 owners will also get this feature. Not only will you be able to customize your wallpaper, you'll be able to change the icons and fonts used in the XMB. An official theme creator will be available for the PC, so users will be able to create their own and share with their friends. Additionally, new themes will be made available on PlayStation.com and the PLAYSTATION Store. The best user-generated themes will also be featured on the official site.
- XMB Color Selector - The background of the XMB is no longer out of your control. The color of the XMB waves background can be selected in Settings.
- Music & Photo Playlists - You can now open and create your own playlists from within the XMB. For example, you can create a "Party Mix," which features your favorite songs from your PS3. Playlists cannot be imported from Memory Stick, and music and photo playlists cannot be combined. However, future firmware updates will improve this feature.
- Additional Sorting Options - Currently, music can be sorted by Artist and Album on the PS3. Additionally, users will be able to sort by Year.
- DualShock 3 support - You'll be able to turn on and off DualShock 3 support from the Settings menu on the XMB.
Click for high-resolution image.
- PLAYSTATION Network XMB group - The PLAYSTATION Network will get its own icon on the XMB, and will be featured between Network and Friends. Within the PLAYSTATION Network, you'll be able to access the PLAYSTATION Store and Account Management. "Other features" will be included in the future, such as Home.
- Canon printer support - Additional printers are now supported by the PS3.
We're certain that many PS3 owners will be disappointed by how underwhelming the 2.00 update is, especially in light of the rumors that spread on the internet. However, this update provides the framework for a much meatier PS3 experience. For example, the PSN XMB icon will be expanded quite significantly over the next few months, as services like Home add much more weight to the online PS3 experience. Media is clearly important to Sony, and the addition of playlists is an important first step in the right direction. They've heard your wants and grievances -- we're confident that future firmware updates will offer even more functionality. 2.00 may not be the Second Coming that everyone expected, but it's certainly a beneficial free upgrade. Now, let's begin counting down to the next firmware update.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ed @ Nov 7th 2007 11:30AM
Sorry to burst your bubble, but Threespeach posted these photos before you, too.
Gutted, eh?
Evan Brown @ Nov 7th 2007 11:31AM
where is the ingame music?
Andrew Yoon @ Nov 7th 2007 11:38AM
To Ed: Obviously, we're a little peeved at SCEA right now. Seems like something we're going to talk about in the next podcast.
apease @ Nov 7th 2007 11:39AM
Not even video playlists? *Smacks forhead*. Oh well, I won't bag on Sony too much, after all, their poor blog is going to discover how ugly people on the internet can be when they don't get a feature they want.
Btw, is there really no BD 1.1 profile?
Dante @ Nov 7th 2007 11:39AM
ed chill out dude..and im really really upset that there is no in-game music or messaging and invites..hopefully by the end of the year. they need to incorporate that with all of the people getting ps3's for christmas.
XDragon @ Nov 7th 2007 11:41AM
Now that its official, i'm not impressed. If wasn't 2.0 then its would be fine but I think expectations were very high for 2.0 and a lot of people will think this isn't a substantial update.
Neil @ Nov 7th 2007 11:42AM
Thank God for the XMB Color Selector, the last few months have looked really nasty. Overall this is a decent update, but nothing truly amazing.
gamingeek @ Nov 7th 2007 11:43AM
Hoenstly this doesn't surprise me. The Home update will be when you see some serious added functionality. Still it's hard to believe that there is STILL NO IN GAME CHAT!!!
T-P-M @ Nov 7th 2007 11:45AM
I notice on the PS Blog it says : 'We’ve added several other features in this update. I’ll soon be back with more details with a quick video demo of some of the new features.' Perhaps there is more?
Stef Geiger @ Nov 7th 2007 11:47AM
I really hope that by additional video support they mean xvid etc. They might as well. And MAN would that be nice to just torrent stuff and throw it on the PS3 to watch without having to transcode everything.
Is there any word on what this firmware update does for developers? You know, memory usage etc?
brad @ Nov 7th 2007 11:47AM
This truly is an underwhelming update, and pointing out that it's "free" certainly doesn't make me feel any better about my $600 investment.
No in-game XMB one year into the life of the PS3? Please... I really want Sony to do something to make me feel better about my purchase, but these firmware updates just aren't doing it. Upsampling of DVDs and PS1 games was a nice benefit, but really should have been in place when the system launched.
I guess being a PS3 user is an exercise in patience... Patience in waiting for the must-have games, patience in waiting for features Xbox users have had for so long, patience in waiting for getting a feature Xbox users haven't gotten yet (and don't say Blu-ray)... Honestly, I'd love for some feature to come along and make Xbox users envious, instead of the other way around...
Come on Sony... What are you waiting for?
JK @ Nov 7th 2007 11:52AM
Looks more like 1.95, not 2.0
organic_shadow @ Nov 7th 2007 11:54AM
Ehh, im not too upset about it. This is STILL a significant release compared to all other firmware updates, so we aren't really getting screwed over, unless you compare with what people have been asking for. Sony never promised anything for 2.00, so it's our own faults that we are disappointed by 2.00's feature list.
I expect the in-game XMB update that comes out later to feature both in-game music options AND in-game messaging functionality.
Carl @ Nov 7th 2007 11:56AM
This doesnt feel like a 600 Dollar Investment too me too.. I want in-game Music...just like X360...where is it Sony?!?!?!...
gamingeek @ Nov 7th 2007 11:59AM
How about a function to organize your games? Is that too hmuch to ask? My PSN games and demos are an incoherent jumbled mess. You ought to be able to set them up in the XMB in the manner you see fit.
Trev @ Nov 7th 2007 12:03PM
Good thing it doesn't cost $600 then, whiners. Its not like a 360 taken only on the merits of it's OS is worth that much. Unless you got one with NO intention of ever getting games (or are just stupid trolls), why not evaluate your investment based on the games you can play?
Anthony Pittarelli @ Nov 7th 2007 12:03PM
i want things that make it feel like theyre upgrading the ps3 to be fast through the use of better software. i agree with the 1.95, not version 2.00
HektikLyfe @ Nov 7th 2007 12:06PM
Perhaps the new update will resolve the audio problem I've been having playing videos using the 128 AAC audio codec. I've sent messages and posted everywhere regarding this issue (yes even directly to Sony) and I've had no response whatsoever.
I was hoping for folder support. I have so many videos, demos and photos, I just wish I could organize them into subject folders. Alphabetically and date categories don't really work for me.
Livi70590 @ Nov 7th 2007 12:06PM
@11, Xbox users cannot import files from a USB storage device to their Hard Drive.
HektikLyfe @ Nov 7th 2007 12:11PM
Exclusive: the first images of PS3 firmware 2.00?
Rask @ Nov 7th 2007 12:13PM
@19 - Why would I want to do that when I can stream ALL my content from my PC through either the 360 Dashboard or the Media Center Extended.
Having to go to the PC, copy the stuff to another type of media and THEN have to move that stick to my console to play it? No thanks...
Scott @ Nov 7th 2007 12:19PM
isnt it just like sony to overpromise on there firmwware then right before it is about to come out they pull 90% of what they promised would be on the firmware update saying it was do to complications or some bull****... i mean seriously if you cant do it dont promise it...
gamingeek @ Nov 7th 2007 12:19PM
@21 PS3 has the exact same tsreaming functionality. This is for people who want to transfer files to another device.
sectionz @ Nov 7th 2007 12:24PM
No problem guys this is so not a POINT upgrade .. for the first time since I have gotten my PS3 im actually embarrassed with an update.
Emophia @ Nov 7th 2007 12:25PM
Lame...
And here I was thinking that this would make me turn on the PS3, my only current gen console, which hasn't been touched in a week...
Where the hell is my in game messaging sony? Jeez...
gamingeek @ Nov 7th 2007 12:25PM
@ Scott
What exactly did Sony promise for this release? It has all been speculation up to this point. And I still prefer my PS3 exclusives to just about anything put out on the FPSbox.
Rask @ Nov 7th 2007 12:36PM
@23 - What type of other file would you need to transfer to your gaming console/media hub's HDD?
Dave @ Nov 7th 2007 12:48PM
Useless update. What a letdown. Come on Sony, give us SOMETHING.
Joostin @ Nov 7th 2007 12:50PM
Let's say you run adult websites and want to put your xtreme 3 compact flash camera card in the ps3 to unload a super hottie named Paige from PlayfulPaige.com...coming soon. Sorry for the plugs, but I love being able to unload those pics to the 500GB HDD I have with my ps3, work with them in Linux or make slideshows of the best pics or as wallpapers for my ps3 without going to my computer at all or waiting for the streaming video to start with a full HD 15 min video at about 4gigs...I think I will keep my PS3 over a 360 anyday!
Nate @ Nov 7th 2007 12:52PM
Pretty underwhelming. Very disappointing.
Well, at least we get the Uncharted Demo tomorrow. That'll make my day, even if 2.00 doesn't. At least now there won't be all those "when is 2.00 coming?" threads everywhere.
lorderk @ Nov 7th 2007 12:54PM
balls.
Mak @ Nov 7th 2007 12:58PM
Are you all idiots?
You let yourselves get hyped up by insiders who know that 2.0 was never going to be the update they led you to believe.
They are now all sat around in Redmond laughing their arses off..
Larz @ Nov 7th 2007 1:00PM
Woot, looks like a beefy update. Nice!
Where's Home? I thought that was supposed to be part of 2.0, or was that just another rumor based on speculation (like in-game XMB)?
Larz @ Nov 7th 2007 1:01PM
@brad:
This may be something that you're dying for but that doesn't mean everyone else is too.
What do I want XMB access for? I can maybe understand messaging... they do allow in-game messaging support, but left it up to the game designers to allow it or disallow it. When I'm playing a game like Heavenly Sword, I don't really want to be bugged by friends so I'll usually log out of the network anyways just to get rid of the login/out popups. If I'm playing Warhawk, I really don't have time to stop and read/write message until the game is over... at which point I could just pop out to XMB anyways. It's just not a crucial feature to me. Not that I think we shouldn't have it. I think the option should be there for those who want to get killed standing still in Warhawk... more kills for me!
Bryant @ Nov 7th 2007 1:03PM
@11 Feature that the Xbox doesn't have..? Hmm how bout FREE online multiplayer gaming? Media streaming to my PSP? Being able to provide help to fighting a disease? Being confident that your console will turn on every single time? Being able to use any bluetooth headset? Keyboard? :)
@21 hey fanboy - PS3 can do that too. And being able to copy stuff over from different media - EVEN over network, not just the memory stick - is quite convenient. At least I don't have to keep my PC on or hog extra resources on my PC when I play my media.
Not being biased - I love my 360 almost as much as PS3 - I just know my PS3 won't quit on me.
Emophia @ Nov 7th 2007 1:05PM
You know how long it takes to load off and on Warhawk?
And I'd just hide somewhere with a knife liek a smart person then message...
Still In game messaging is neccesary... Not even a question of whether they should implement it... They need to... And soon... As in it should have been in teh 2.0 update...
Tiger007 @ Nov 7th 2007 1:07PM
This update is ok for the fun but MORE VIDEO & AUDIO CODEC WILL MUCH MUCH MORE APPRICIATED like
MKV+AC3 5.1 and SUBTITLE SUPPORT! That will make our PS3 a REAL MEDIAMACHINE that Sony had prommissed to be!
brad @ Nov 7th 2007 1:09PM
@19, Good point... PS3 does win out over Xbox there..
Dave Comeau @ Nov 7th 2007 1:12PM
Damn, I bet the in-game XMB stuff is really a nightmare to implement into the existing system...it should have been built in when they were designing the PS3...they should have added extra reserved memory (64MB?) just for that purpose. Or at least allow an extra stick of RAM to be plugged in for this option.
Right now you have to quit the game so you can free up memory for this purpose. I have the feeling that even if / when we do get it...it will be pretty crippled.
Solace @ Nov 7th 2007 1:19PM
not saying that i told y'all so, but...
;)
tomas_sharp @ Nov 7th 2007 1:22PM
There's a sneeky little vid over at gamesradar.com
Jak @ Nov 7th 2007 1:23PM
It is not so bad!
RagingStormX @ Nov 7th 2007 1:35PM
Tell me something....is there a tool that will un-install games (or parts of games) that you had to install to help with loading times? Because any game I have and it has the install feature..I do it. But I am sure that is gonna count in the long run.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Nov 7th 2007 1:41PM
Don't sweat the version numbers. SCEI determines the version numbers and they pick them basically at random. People who attach a significance to "2.00" will definitely be disappointed.
Sony should drop the version numbers and work like MS does with 360. "Fall 2007 update".
why not the LS2LS7? @ Nov 7th 2007 1:43PM
RagingStormX:
You don't need to manage this cached data any more than you do on 360. It's stores in a special area for games that is reused.
Any additional data stored is accessible (and deletable) in the "Game data management" option a few clicks up from your downloaded games in the XMB.
bak @ Nov 7th 2007 1:49PM
I still can't believe I can't go to the XMB in a game to message/reply to a friend. That's really the only thing I was looking forward too. Bummer.
Limelight Boy @ Nov 7th 2007 1:55PM
I have both an 360 and PS3 and I can safely say I prefer Xbox way more! simply because they have a way of getting everyone involved,you can talk (via headset & messenging) ,listen to your own music and play games all at the same time, PS3 can just about play games online!! and the store is a joke! i regret buying one and with the delays with Home, PS3 need to start rolling out major updates and not silly things like different coloured XMB's as this wont sell PS3's!!?
Toby @ Nov 7th 2007 1:57PM
I am happy with this. I can live without the ingame stuff for a bit longer, but this firmware is definatly much better than what we have now
benny boy @ Nov 7th 2007 1:57PM
That logo for the Playstation Network looks familiar...:
http://playstation.joystiq.com/2007/10/03/new-playstation-logo-patented-but-will-it-exist/
HAAS599 @ Nov 7th 2007 2:03PM
The only thing I am dissappointed in with this update is the reaction to it.
The worst thing about the gaming community is the immaturity.
This update is making the PS3 better. That is a fact. Why are we all complaining?
Oh yeah, because the 2.0 update wasn't what we thought it was going to be and that is Sony's fault.