Ps3Firmware
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Revamped PlayStation Store goes live April 15 [updated]
Sony KONPYUTAENTATEINMENTOJAPAN has announced that the revamped PlayStation Store will open its virtual doors on Tuesday, April 15th. Update: SCEA has confirmed that loud-mouthed, spendthrift American PS3s will be allowed to roam the aisles on the same day, as will systems from around the globe. The store revamp will be facilitated by enhanced firmware (version 2.30) and should mark the return of weekly content updates which have been absent since April 3rd. Once the more user-friendly interface is up and running, PS3 owners will be able to download fun things like Warhawk's Broken Mirror expansion and the 'Still Alive' DLC for Rock Band.%Gallery-19777%[Via PS3 Fanboy]
PS3 2.20 update is out, get your BD-Live while it's fresh
Nothing beats that straight-from-the-oven firmware smell, and Sony just hit the internet with its PS3 2.20 firmware update goodness. The big win here is BD-Live interactive Blu-ray compatibility (Blu-ray 2.0), but there are some other minor tweaks as well, mostly multimedia and web browsing related. Unfortunately, portable copy didn't make the cut, but there's always 2.30, right?[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
New PS3 firmware to add Blu-ray Profile 2.0 support
Sony has announced that an upcoming PlayStation 3 firmware update will enhance the system's Blu-ray playback capabilities. Tucked into firmware update 2.20 will be support for Blu-ray Disc Profile 2.0, otherwise labeled as BD-Live. The feature enables certain Blu-ray movies to connect to the internet and enable download additional interactive content -- movie DLC, if you will. Sony notes that the update will make the PlayStation 3 the first BD-Live Blu-ray player on the market. Oh, sorry, the PLAYSTATION 3.Other enhancements included in firmware 2.20: Music and photo playlists can be exported from the PS3 to the PSP. DivX and WMV files larger than 2GB can be played. DVDs and Blu-rays will resume playback from the moment you last stopped them. The PSP can be used as a remote control to play music on the PS3. The web browser will feature faster page loading times and the ability to save linked files and stream linked videos. "Mosquito Noise Reduction" will be added to the AV control panel for Blu-rays and DVDs. The update will make its way onto the PlayStation Network "in the next few days."
PS3 firmware 2.17 addresses stability of online titles
Before Sony's social media manager, Jeff Rubenstein, came to the rescue via an informative blog post, our research had concluded that the latest PlayStation 3 firmware update implements the following changes: Cell division by zero no longer possible Cross media bar lightened up, no longer cross Fun patch applied to "Go! Sky Diving" Triceratops tranquilized Placebo.exe installed for faster load times Unfortunately, it seems our analysis was wholly inaccurate, as Rubenstein explained that Firmware 2.17 merely improves "the operating stability of some online PS3 titles." You'll be prompted to download the update the next time you sign on to the PlayStation Network.
Surprise! Latest PS3 firmware adds sexy spaceborne music visualizer
Sure, you may be well aware of the fact that last week's 2.1 firmware update for the PlayStation 3 gifted the console with support for the ubiquitous DivX video codec, but did you also know that nestled deep within the update was a new space-faring music visualizer? Seen in motion through the magic of YouTube, it's an incredibly nifty way to relax to those newly unwrapped CDs, but it also makes us wax nostalgic and wonder whatever happened to those grade school dreams of becoming astronauts when we grew up. The new tool was created by Q-Games, who developed the terrifically fun PSN downloadable PixelJunk Racers, and the studios' PR manager Duncan Flett tells Gamasutra that the project went through a number of changes prior to release, including an initial stint as the boot sequence for Sony's console. Also interesting is that the visualizer uses texture data lifted from the NASA Blue Marble project, making this one of the neatest uses of science since the application of baking soda to vinegar.Full disclosure: This writer did, in fact, pen stories for Gamasutra in a previous life before his current tour of duty on board the starship Joystiq. [Via Gamasutra]
Folding@Home gets update, new features
Thanks to titles like Ratchet and Clank and Uncharted there are finally better games on the PS3 than Folding@Home (or Grand Theft Protein as we call it in these parts). Not willing to go down without a fight though, the scientific application recently got even more entertaining thanks to a new update bundled with yesterday's 2.10 PS3 firmware.First off is the ability to set a shutoff timer for the program, perfect for when you want to help cure cancer, just not all night. Also included is the much more exciting option to play background music while the aforementioned proteins are being folded. (If we may be so bold, a little candlelight, a little Lou Rawls and a little protein folding is a volitale recipe for late night romance.)
New PSP, PS3 firmware goes live
OK, Mr. Big Shot, so you already knew about the new, DivX-sporting PS3 firmware 2.1 going live today. But that's only because you read Joystiq. Never forget: We gave you that knowledge, and we can take it away. ... OK, so we can't do that. But we're working on it.Perhaps a little more of a surprise for fans of Sony's small screen is the news that PSP firmware 3.80 has also appeared for you to download and enjoy. Most significant in this update is the new Internet Radio feature, which Sony says provides access to thousands of stations. The set-up instructions are pretty specific though, you can check them out after the jump.Read - PSP Firmware 3.80 is liveRead - Firmware update (v2.10)
PS3 firmware 2.10 coming tomorrow, features DivX support
Still no in-game XMB news now, with the UK's PlayStation website spilling the bytes on a new PlayStation 3 firmware update. Scheduled for release on December 18th (we're confirming the date with SCEA), Firmware 2.10 joins the Xbox 360's Fall dashboard update in offering support for the pervasive DivX video codec. There are some caveats, however, as files that are copyright-protected, encoded with DivX 3.11 or larger than 2GB in size are not supported.Also added by the update is support for VC-1 (WMV) playback, Type 3 music bitmapping, Blu-ray Profile 1.1 and a "Voice Changer." You know, in case you thought your normal voice wasn't obnoxious enough in the hushed library that is the PS3's online scene. [Via PS3 Fanboy]
PS3 firmware version 2.10 apparently coming tomorrow
It looks like PlayStation 3 owners could be in for a welcome surprise when they boot up their console tomorrow, at least if an apparent slip-up on Sony's European website is any indication. As a user on the NeoGAF forums noticed, it recently put up a page which revealed that 2.10 firmware update "was released on December 18, 2007," bringing with it a number of additions, including DivX support (with some limitations) and, as rumored, support for Blu-ray Disc Profile 1.1. You'll also apparently soon be able to take advantage of the new "Voice Changer" feature, which will let you disguise your voice in voice or video chat, and you'll be getting support for (VC-1) WMV files in addition to the aforementioned DivX ones. If any of that interests you, we'd suggest keeping an eye out, 'cause it sure looks like this one's about to drop.[Via PS3 Fanboy]
XMB who? Custom soundtracks, friend lists spotted in PS3 games
With the long-overdue in-game XMB still a no-show as of last month's 2.00 PS3 firmware update, we were about to resign ourselves to a future that entailed exiting out of games to read messages and getting up to change the channels. Yeah, barbaric. But perhaps we're being a little too fatalistic. Included in yesterday's PSN Thursday update were some special treats: notably a custom soundtrack option in High Velocity Bowling that looks very XMB-ish, along with an in-game friends list for the Timeshift demo, available from the multiplayer screen, which also has that XMB look 'n feel. So if we've got some of the most requested features being added straight to games, emulating the look and feel of the XMB interface, what do we need an in-game XMB for then? Maybe nothing, but we worry that if developers become responsible for implementing this functionality instead of it being a system constant, that we'll see an inconsistent experience across whichever games decide to add it. While we're not quite bowled over, it's a step in the right direction. [Thanks, Justin]
PS3 firmware 2.0 is now live
The latest PlayStation 3 firmware update, version 2.0, has now gone live. And now that we've crossed a new, whole-number threshold, we eagerly await PS3 firmware update 2-point-whatever. In case you're hesitant to upgrade your system, check out the list of features and enjoy pictures of the upgrade below.%Gallery-9899%[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
PS3 FW 2.00 in pictures
Earlier this week, PS3 Fanboy was offered exclusive firmware 2.00 details to be revealed later today, but due to a miscommunication between SCEA and SCEE that arrangement was compromised -- and confusion ensued. Thankfully, it's all been sorted out, and we're pleased to bring you (via PS3FB) the first images of PlayStation 3 firmware 2.00. (The full details of the update can be found here.)%Gallery-9899%
PS3 firmware 2.00 tomorrow, full details today
PlayStation 3 2.00. Mythic sounding, ain't it? Oh, how we've pined for the promise of this transformation. Never mind that Xbox 360 has the games and Wii has the demand. This holiday, PS3 has the update -- and it's available tomorrow.Now for the bads news: The update, well, it's, um, it's ... (how to put this?) ... it's lame it's not gonna 'un-lame' your crippled PS3. What, you cry, but it was supposed to trump the Halo 3s, the Mass Effects -- the best Mario game in more than a decade! We know. Sorry, folks. At least you can finally use your Canon printers. At least, firmware 2.00 is free.
PSN EULA update not affiliated with firmware upgrade
We hate to bring the internet's game of conclusion hopscotch to an end, but the rain of truth threatens to wash those chalk outlines away and... we're not really sure what we thinking with that opening. Regardless, a Sony representative has told us that, despite internet murmurs latching onto the "Version 2.0" nomenclature, the recent update to the PSN End User License Agreement has no "bearing or affiliation with any future firmware upgrades." If the fabled Firmware 2.0 does somehow show up at the end of the month, coincidence will apparently be the one to blame.Going into effect on October 30th, the updated EULA (probably not pronounced "EWW-LAH") is merely paving the legal way for upcoming PSN functionality, Home features and upcoming games that might tempt players to share online content considered "racially, ethnically, religiously, or sexually offensive, libelous, defaming, threatening, bullying or stalking." In fewer words, anything resembling our frequently terrifying podcast.[Via PS3 Fanboy]
PS3 firmware 1.90 hits Japan, Europe tomorrow, NA "coming soon"
Firmware 1.90 is infecting Japanese PS3s as you read this. Symptoms of 1.90 – helpfully deciphered at NeoGAF – include: XMB backgrounds Move games in XMB up and down Eject games, CD's and movies from XMB by pressing triangle, and selecting "Eject Disk" Force 24Hz output for Blu-ray over HDMI Change the frequency of music to either 44.1, 88.2, or 176.4 kHz Change the PS3 video settings in-game Change the output settings – like the upscaling options and smoothing – while you're playing PS and PS2 games Bookmark function in the file menu of the web browser Emoticons and XMB backgrounds all in one day? While that's great for Japanese PS3 owners, ThreeSpeech says the update will be available in Europe tomorrow, SCEA's Patrick Seybold has said we can expect news on the firmware "early [this] week", and PSN's Eric Lampel said the update is "coming soon." We'll be sure to give you a full rundown of the (real) release notes as soon as we find 'em. [Via PS3 Fanboy]
PS3 firmware 1.82 on the way, adds AVC High Profile playback
Eric Lempel, director of PlayStation Network Operations, posted on the company's official blog that firmware 1.82 would be arriving on the PS3 in the next few days. The update's sole new feature appears to be AVC High Profile (H.264/MPEG-4) files. Now, instead of having to make due with Main Profile AVC, you'll be rocking the Separate Cb and Cr QP control and the 8x8 vs. 4x4 Transform Adaptivity! *drool*Lempel said that the update doesn't fix the audio problems that some commenters on the blog had complained about, but said that "hopefully this update is moving us closer." In other news that is not of any immediate help to anyone, Lempel says that Sony is "continuing to evaluate and improve things across the board, including PS2 software compatibility." Let's keep our profiles crossed.
PS3 firmware 1.81 update now online
A minor update to last month's feature-packed firmware 1.80 is now available for the PlayStation 3. The added .01 corrects the error that sees an HDMI color setting reverting each time the system is turned off. It also promises to improve network stability for PlayStation 2 games that support online play.You should be politely prompted to install the update once you log on to the PlayStation Network. If you'd rather use the bandwidth at the office or just feel more instrumental in your system's enhancement, you can download the firmware file from Sony's official site (this one if your system is European). Don't have too much fun with it, now.
Sony promises to 'aggressively pursue' PS3 pirates
With reports of hackers foiling versions 1.10 and 1.11 of the PlayStation 3's firmware arising, Sony is already making it clear as to how it'll respond to acts of and relating to piracy. SCEA spokesperson Dave Karakker tells GamesIndustry.Biz, "The best we can do as a company is to make our security that much stronger and aggressively pursue legal action against anyone caught trying to use an exploit in an illegal manner." Hackers have thus far managed to get illegal copies of games to boot on the PS3, but not play. Homebrew games have also not made it to a playable state, but as with every console before, it's only a matter of time before they do. Sony may choose to ban infringing systems from the PlayStation Network -- like Microsoft has done with Xbox Live -- though Karakker adds that the chance of users accidentally bricking theirs consoles should also be seen as a deterrent. "Naturally, any use of an exploit on the system software does void the warranty on the PS3 system... Which could be a costly mistake to see if you can run an old SEGA CD game on it." Especially if it's Road Avenger.
PlayStation Network coming to PSP, hints PS3 update
Tucked away inside the latest PlayStation 3 firmware update are improvements to the console's Remote Play functionality, though we'll need to wait until the PSP's 3.50 firmware update drops -- sometime this week -- before samplings the goods proper. Yet still, we're able to sneak a glimpse of the forthcoming update by selecting "Remote Play" from the PlayStation 3's "Network" menu, resulting in a screen that reads: "When connecting the PSP system over the Internet, you must sign in using your sign-in ID, "yourname@email.com", on the PSP system."Are we looking at the first signs of a universal ID for the expanding PlayStation Network? Perhaps a single friends list that will follow you from device to device? Throw in that "long overdue" PSP-based PlayStation Store to download those PSone classics sans PS3 -- or maybe some videos -- and you've got a deal.[Via PSP Fanboy]
20 UPnP clients that may stream to your PlayStation 3
After spending entirely too much time trying to find a suitable solution to stream all of our bits and bytes into our newly upgraded PlayStation 3s, we finally came to a grim realization: there is no perfect solution. That doesn't mean there's a paucity of options, however. As it turns out, there's no shortage of UPnP clients that satisfy, in some capacity, the DLNA standard the PlayStation 3 requires.The following list, compiled in part by the PS3mods blog, is a rather extensive collection of software spanning multiple platforms including Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X. We added Elgato's EyeConnect software for Mac OS X which got us closer than anything else on that platform. On the Windows side, we continue to hear good things about Nero MediaHome. Any software missing? Any 'stiqers find that perfect solution?[Thanks, Eliot]
