Sony reveals firmware 2.50, coming 'soon'
by Jem Alexander 
{ Oct 13th 2008 at 11:42AM }
Our favorite additions include the trophy improvements (though, where's our "Level Up!" notification?), background downloading functionality and friend status updates. But, really, there's no fluff here. Hopefully Sony will continue this momentum through future updates. There's no word on when we can expect these features, but Eric Lempel says it'll be "soon." Check out the full feature list after the break and let us know what you think in the comments.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
- 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.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
StPaddy @ Oct 13th 2008 11:46AM
Surely it will be tonight or tomorrow. They wouldn't let the Official PS3 Bluetooth Headset release without the required firmware update would they?
lobotomies4free @ Oct 13th 2008 11:57AM
Sony is never late
Christian @ Oct 13th 2008 1:04PM
Actually I think in their original announcement of the headset they made it clear that the patch would arrive after the headset.
ryan @ Oct 13th 2008 5:01PM
"Sony is never late"
no, no. their deadlines are just moved to a later date, that's all.
Ratedrko22 @ Oct 13th 2008 11:50AM
This is what I'm talking about. Good move. I like the screen capture and video add on.
helghast102 @ Oct 14th 2008 5:20AM
HAHA! i'll take that $5! resistance supported them 1st! just gotta print screen!
Dartmerc @ Oct 14th 2008 7:03PM
damn.. knew I should have bet my PSN subscription fee instead.
jakob.falthammar @ Oct 13th 2008 11:52AM
I was thinking the same thing. The Official PS3 Bluetooth Headset support should probably come before or shortly after the Headset is released right...?
Awesome update!
Shaun @ Oct 13th 2008 11:53AM
They said it would be out on the 13th in an earlier post.
datboyfresh @ Oct 13th 2008 12:00PM
with the account management being redone, hopefully that means that u can edit you online profile with new avatars, its about time for those. but all and all, some good advancements here.
ocdog45 @ Oct 13th 2008 11:59AM
damm i can't wait
Alex @ Oct 13th 2008 12:00PM
That screenshot capturing thing sounds pretty cool, actually.
evilfoxhound @ Oct 13th 2008 12:02PM
The screenshot option has to be added to games by the developer? LOL When it was first announced they said that it can be used in ANY game. Thanks for lying again Sony.
Photo option is already something that some developers use anyway. So why are Sony listing it as something that they are adding?
cduran01 @ Oct 13th 2008 12:12PM
Sony is making it a PS3 firmware function now so that the function behaves the same for all games that use it. Its also easier for developers to use the function since they will no longer have to build theirs from scratch.
Eggy @ Oct 13th 2008 12:28PM
Damn I hate whining little babies like yourself.
Eh @ Oct 13th 2008 1:00PM
"Sony is making it a PS3 firmware function now so that the function behaves the same for all games that use it."
Nope, read the article again. Its the same thing as the XMB music, meaning it will never be officially supported by games you will actually care about.
cduran01 @ Oct 13th 2008 4:02PM
@Eh
NOPE!!! Read my comment again. I said that Sony put that function into the firmware so that every game that USES it the behavior is the same. I never said ALL games will have it, just that in all games that DO HAVE it the behavior will be the same (as in the same user interface will activate the picture taking) as opposed to how it is now where each game that has it has to make their own custom interface for it and it works differently from one game to the next.
rob @ Oct 14th 2008 1:28AM
"Photo option is already something that some developers use anyway. So why are Sony listing it as something that they are adding?"
That's like saying "Online community is already something that some developers use anyways. So why is MS listing it as something that they are adding with XBL?"
crackp1pe @ Oct 13th 2008 12:07PM
The auto-shutoff options are awesome. Thank you Sony, for finally delivering this.
That said, would you mind relaxing the odd restrictions & limitations you have on divx/xvid file playback? A fair amount of valid xvids require conversion to play on ps3 and that's pretty annoying-- considering the PS3 is basically the ultimate video-playing machine given the fantastic upscaling, bluray, etc.
Big D. @ Oct 13th 2008 12:14PM
Dude, go post that on the PS Blog, I doubt Sony really reads PS3Fanboy comments, I do know however a lot of what's been added in FW updates is directly taking from the PS Blog comments (See: In Game XMB)
Big D. @ Oct 13th 2008 12:14PM
This FW update sounds amazing! I hope it goes live tonight...some really awesome features! Thanks SONY!!!
Wat up Homie!! @ Oct 13th 2008 12:15PM
good update can't wait but they should increase the speed of in-game XMB and add the youtube support for you can use for EVERY game but awesome update can't wait
Jerses @ Oct 13th 2008 1:05PM
Agree.. ingame xmb is really slow. I dont see the point of reloading icons that will never change like the turn off or leave game,etc... i understand the music, videos and photos...but man...update every icon thats dumb.
More than youtube support they should first update the flash player...i cant see my old porn sites :P
2.50 seems really nice update.. will the trophie update be like HP/SP bar?
Lorenzo @ Oct 13th 2008 12:20PM
i'm liking the 2.50update just one problem come on sony in game voice chat with friends playing other games please that would make me happy maybe make everyone happy the 360 had this from the start i hate that stupid crackbox pleasefixme come on i just preordered this socom bundle i'm really excited for this headset but i dought that they will put cross game chat but o well i guess 2.60
Packfan @ Oct 13th 2008 12:49PM
Punctuation dude.... punctuation
icedemon @ Oct 13th 2008 12:54PM
That stupid crackbox have 4 out of the 8 features that's coming in the firmare. So it must not be that stupid after all.
nakedatthecomp @ Oct 13th 2008 1:33PM
longest. run-on sentence. ever. do you know where the "." button is?
flynn110 @ Oct 13th 2008 12:32PM
as with all other updates I will hold off on this one until I hear that there are no bugs. this seems to be a common occurence with these updates.
The1stMJC @ Oct 13th 2008 12:52PM
Totally agree I am not gonna even turn on my PS3 today or Tomorrow till the update goes without a problem.
YES I AM PARANOID I LIKE MY 60gb PS3
Wayne @ Oct 13th 2008 5:57PM
Good call. I would die if I lost my 60GB PS3 and had to get a new one (with less features).
Popfrogs @ Oct 13th 2008 6:04PM
If your 60GB dies and it's under warranty Sony will give you another 60GB. Hell, just call and tell them GTA4 is freezing on it if it's out of warranty. They swapped mine out a few months ago for free and it was a launch unit.
Wayne @ Oct 13th 2008 6:52PM
I heard 60 gig PS3's were being replaced by 40GB units in Europe (I'm in Australia).
tyab @ Oct 13th 2008 12:57PM
Lets see... what do I want from my future firmware updates?
I want improved reliability and functionality for DLNA connections. I'm not sure if improving the connection means fixing things up on the PS3 side or the computer side (I have a Mac), but I lose my connection at least once a day. Music playback options should be better! I really can't randomize all the tracks in my music folder? I wish my music folders were in proper order... my artist appear in alphabetical order but their albums are a jumbled mess. I have a lot of Phish and GD collections and their seems to be no method to the madness. I think a Sony program that allows DLNA connections is the way to go. A super slick media player, ala iTunes, which handles video, audio, and images... with only tag editing options that the PS3 supports (what tag settings does the PS3 utilize anyways)... Oh yeah, and make it for both PCs and Macs, PLEASE!
Other than the occasional hiccup with media playback, I love my PS3... Oh yeah, get me HOME too =)
Mr. Joe @ Oct 13th 2008 1:36PM
how bout you stop working for the government. only feds listen to phish. who or what are you searching for on ps3fanboy blogs? or is this the only way you can feel normal since you're "the man"?
ftrunks @ Oct 13th 2008 3:11PM
My goodness the PS3 is a console not a PC. Be happy with what we have, either that or it's time you went into PC gaming.
Popfrogs @ Oct 13th 2008 6:18PM
The Mac is your problem, not the PS3. With TVersity running on my pc, I have flawless playback of anything day or night, never lose connection to it.
That's the only thing that sucks about owning a Mac, a real lack of software.
tyba @ Oct 13th 2008 7:14PM
eh, I used to use a PC running Tversity, before the thing quit turning on... and that would occasionally lose connection as well. The loss of connection isn't really my biggest gripe either, I just want more options, particularly for sorting...
A1 @ Oct 13th 2008 1:05PM
YES! My favorite feature of movies on the PSP - Scene search. If none of you have used this before let me assure you it is a wicked little option.
Mattchewie @ Oct 13th 2008 12:52PM
These new options are all really cool! However I'm still waiting for the update that will give me the ability to directly voice chat a friend(s).
Joshua @ Oct 13th 2008 12:55PM
WE NEED A FLASH PLAYTER AND BROWSER OVERHAUL!
Flicky @ Oct 13th 2008 9:59PM
Hear, hear ! And we need FLAC support, too !
Remix @ Oct 13th 2008 12:54PM
Now THIS is an update. Lovin the redeem codes directly in store, it'll save a lil time. The search feature in the videos is great and the turning off of the console and accessories after certain amounts of time is long overdue. Hope they can add in the charging of controllers while the console is turned off sometime in the future. Can't wait
Skunk Ape @ Oct 13th 2008 12:56PM
This update looks great and all but I don't really care about any of this since we still don't have In-game XMB voice chat, or the ability to sort PSN games we have downloaded alphabetically.
fiziks @ Oct 13th 2008 5:50PM
the ps3 games can be put into folders, i got them sorted... in a folder named "Playstation", another folder named "Playstation 3", "Playstation Eye" folder for tori emaki and mesmerize, and a "Playstation Sixaxis" folder for flow and rub a dub... so yeah, there's an ability to sort games...
Skunk Ape @ Oct 13th 2008 5:55PM
>>sort PSN games we have downloaded alphabetically
>>alphabetically
Gorbash @ Oct 13th 2008 1:21PM
Still not a true Background download. I want my PS3 to go into a low power mode and download while off like my 360 does. Having that thing run for hours while downloading LBP was a big pull on electricity.
This small feature will be a big improvement in your "green" standing.
Kabapu @ Oct 13th 2008 2:41PM
... Hours? What are you? On dial-up?
LBP Beta only took (at most) 20 minutes to DL for me.
Devin @ Oct 13th 2008 2:44PM
Took me about 15. I'm on a 12Mbps connection though....
Gorbash @ Oct 13th 2008 6:34PM
I have less than a 1 MB connection, and when I ran a speed test through the PS3 browser it was less than what my PC gets. I live in the middle of nowhere so I don't get the choicest of ISPs, just my phone co-op.
chimaera2008 @ Oct 14th 2008 12:18PM
Automatic shutdown is still better than leaving your console on all night, right? That's what I thought.
If you want to save the earth playing video games, get rid of the 360 and PS3 and just play Wii. It uses 10% of the power and is about 10% as cool, too.