Officially Detailed Firmware Updates: PS3 (v2.50) / PSP (v5.00)

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

Hi everyone. We’ve been listening to all of your feedback about the PS3 and PSP, and with these next firmware updates (coming soon), we’ve added a number of new features and improved some existing functionality to make your PS3/PSP experience even better.

PSP (v5.00) update

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.

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.

PS3 (v2.50) update

Now on to the PS3 v2.50 update. The latest features/enhancements include:

* 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.

The support for the Bluetooth Headset will be of particular interest to all of you SOCOM fans. With the “Proximity Chat” feature, SOCOM: Confrontation gameplay is intensified as it allows you to experience high-quality voice playback in full surround sound. Whether the action is near or far, Proximity Chat clearly matches distance to sound effects and voiceovers within the game, putting you in the heart of the action.

Enjoy and please share your thoughts with us.

Source: http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/10/13/...-v250-psp-v500/

Turning off controllers, FINALLY! :D

Some good PS3 updates in there, and it says some more to come.

* 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.

Finally I can trim people from my PSN list :p

[Pheee]

Looks nice, hopefully they have some performance enhancements, always welcome of course.

[FlibbyFlobby]

About time, I've been asking for automatic shut down on controllers for ages. The background downloading thing also sounds pretty useful too. Be nice to know I can leave my PS3 downloading over night and it will shut itself down.

I hope they've moved that damn controller battery icon so it doesn't overlap the date / time text too.

[PiracyX]

Being able to turn off controllers has finally arrived.

Prehaps a little late, but better late that never!

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

I hope they've moved that damn controller battery icon so it doesn't overlap the date / time text too.

People were talking about how the new HQ headsets will have info as well, and then this was born

:p

I do hope they fix the overlay issues, not the end of the world, but annoying.

[DrunknMunky Veteran]

About bloody time Sony.

[Sethos]

Almost sad to see basic features getting added so late.

Well, at least we are getting 'em :rolleyes:

[DrunknMunky Veteran]

Almost sad to see basic features getting added so late.

Well, at least we are getting 'em :rolleyes:

They're always going to play catch up this generation. They were only just getting there and MS released NXE and moved the goal post even further from them.

At least hopefully they have learned from all of this and XMB2 won't suck on PS4 :/

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

Last time I checked NXE isn't out, neither is Home and this isn't a fall update or anything.

Sony just chuck out firmware as it's ready.

[DrunknMunky Veteran]

Ok, NXE isn't out but we know what's gonna be included and MS have changed things again. Soon we're gonna see more features being asked from PS3 users to be included that are from NXE. Just like more than half of this list already is.

[Sethos]

Ok, NXE isn't out but we know what's gonna be included and MS have changed things again. Soon we're gonna see more features being asked from PS3 users to be included that are from NXE. Just like more than half of this list already is.

I'm sorry, but I have to disagree.

Bowling with random people and moving coffee tables > Features.

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

Ok, NXE isn't out but we know what's gonna be included and MS have changed things again. Soon we're gonna see more features being asked from PS3 users to be included that are from NXE. Just like more than half of this list already is.

Most likely, but both are doing different things, there may be features gamers will want from each.

In fact there probably always will be, as will both do copy/improve on similar features, they'll maintain unique ones as well.

Youtube Support and In-Game Photo snapping support two for PSN just now that come to mind.

Sony rolled out about 3-4 FW updates last year between fall, comparing 2.5 to NXE is a little hasty IMO.

[FlibbyFlobby]

I do hope they fix the overlay issues, not the end of the world, but annoying.

It's not a deal breaker. But it is annoying. :p

Something else I noticed in the blog is the "Account Management" section has been "redesigned". Does this finally mean we will be able to specify our own custom avatars or get an expanded selection of defaults?

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

It's not a deal breaker. But it is annoying. :p

Something else I noticed in the blog is the "Account Management" section has been "redesigned". Does this finally mean we will be able to specify our own custom avatars or get an expanded selection of defaults?

Yeah redesigned chucked around a few times, same with the PSP XMB.

Looking forward to it anyway, the old web-based account management needs a face lift - Just like the store used to be slow and web-based.

I assume the redesign will be shown off closer to release.

[DrunknMunky Veteran]

I can compare what I like if you choose to compare everything to KZ2 and bring it up in every other game discussion (like the one you had with PiracyX the other day).

Only fair :)

Anyways, I hope we finally see something completely new and interesting from Sony too. So far, at least imo, it's just playing catchup with the 360 dashboard. Something I can actually use and want to use would help also!

[PiracyX]

PS3 v2.50 Firmware = v1.0

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

I can compare what I like if you choose to compare everything to KZ2 and bring it up in every other game discussion (like the one you had with Piracy_X the other day).

Only fair :)

Anyways, I hope we finally see something completely new and interesting from Sony too. So far, at least imo, it's just playing catchup with the 360 dashboard. Something I can actually use and want to use would help also!

What do games have to do with FW updates? :/

I said comparing 2.5 to NXE is hasty, because clearly it isn't what Sony are pitching against MS' fall update.

That looks to be Home.

But anyway, looks like this is just another topic to trash on, rather than discuss getting good, while belated features (except from the 1~2 new), and actually talking about them.

[DrunknMunky Veteran]

I think the update is good :yes:

Not much more discussion to be had on it. All the features are self-explanatory.

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

-- Video-out -- The PSP-2000's video-out feature will be able to display classic PlayStation? format titles at the full-screen size of the TV that the PSP is connected to; the feature also will support interlace displays.

I assume the PSP plays cropped display just now? Anyone with a PSP2000 know?

Anyway, that's a pretty nice update for the PSP(Y))

It's now like a super slim PS1:laugh::

I even read supposedly a DS3 might work when connected to a PSP3000 - Although I can't find where I read that right now://

[HawkMan]

What do games have to do with FW updates? :/

I said comparing 2.5 to NXE is hasty, because clearly it isn't what Sony are pitching against MS' fall update.

That looks to be Home.

But anyway, looks like this is just another topic to trash on, rather than discuss getting good, while belated features (except from the 1~2 new), and actually talking about them.

How can you even compare home to NXE.

NXE expands on the dashoards, adding features and fucntions as well as a new and fastr GUI.

Home is just a gimicky way of doing things the dashboard allready does, Home isn't a dashboard, it's a virtual home shell for dahsboard functions.

So if you are comparing nything it would have to be NXE vs 2.5, dashoard update vs Dashboard update, not dashboard update vs Sony Second life dashboard shell

[maplecookie Veteran]

Thread Cleaned

[HTF]

good update. i like the power save, and that you can set it to turn itself off after a download.

didn't see a release date though. unless i missed it.

[DrunknMunky Veteran]

How can you even compare home to NXE.

NXE expands on the dashoards, adding features and fucntions as well as a new and fastr GUI.

Home is just a gimicky way of doing things the dashboard allready does, Home isn't a dashboard, it's a virtual home shell for dahsboard functions.

So if you are comparing nything it would have to be NXE vs 2.5, dashoard update vs Dashboard update, not dashboard update vs Sony Second life dashboard shell

My point exactly

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

How can you even compare home to NXE.

NXE expands on the dashoards, adding features and fucntions as well as a new and fastr GUI.

Home is just a gimicky way of doing things the dashboard allready does, Home isn't a dashboard, it's a virtual home shell for dahsboard functions.

So if you are comparing nything it would have to be NXE vs 2.5, dashoard update vs Dashboard update, not dashboard update vs Sony Second life dashboard shell

How can you even compare home to NXE.

You say that to me while acting like you know EVERYTHING about Home? :/

Home is just a gimicky way of doing things the dashboard allready does, Home isn't a dashboard, it's a virtual home shell for dahsboard functions.

ot dashboard update vs Sony Second life dashboard shell

I was quite vocal about not comparing them in the NXE vs Home thread.

The act of comparison comes from both NXE and Home being MS/Sony's big "updates" this year to their services, not so much the actual products/services themselves.

If they both deliver, they both deliver. It's not one or the other.

The only real comparison will still be PSN vs Live. Home/NXE are part of those services.

[PiracyX]

You say that to me while acting like you know EVERYTHING about Home? :/

You say the very same thing over and over to all of us about the Games/Services/Features of the PS3 etc.

Killzone 2 was prime example of that in previous threads.

If they both deliver, they both deliver. It's not one or the other.

NXE has got way more chance of delivering than Home will, that's for sure.

Home will be one of the products which will be used intially for awhile, maybe even a week then dumped like yesterdays news.

NXE however, will be still used by the users.

Everything about the PS3 in terms of services/features is tacked on. Life with Playstation, Trophies, Home etc its all tacked on.