Today on the official PlayStation blog, Sony announced the availability of a new software update for the PlayStation 3. Firmware update 3.40 brings a wide variety of features to the console including the long-anticipated PlayStation Plus subscription option, a networked photo gallery, video editing tools, a five-star rating system for the PlayStation Store, and power save settings for the device.
The blog post provides the following highlights of the update:
- PlayStation Plus: PlayStation Network users will be able to purchase membership to PlayStation Plus; a new subscription service on the PlayStation Network that provides you with new options to expand and enhance your gaming experience and enable you to gain an exclusive set of features and content. Friendly reminder, all of you PlayStation Network users will continue to have free access to PlayStation Network’s unmatched and expanding suite of new and exclusive features while PlayStation Plus subscribers will gain access to an exclusive and expanding set of gaming features, content and functionality.
- Photo Gallery: A new network based photo sharing feature is now available on the Photo Gallery. The enhancement allows you to upload, browse and comment on photos on Facebook and Picasa Web Album. You can also opt to share your photos between your PlayStation Network friends as well as print photos from Photo Gallery.
- Video Editor & Uploader: Video Editor and Uploader is a new function found on the XrossMediaBar (XMB), which enables you to edit, save and upload video files stored on the PS3 system to sites such as Facebook or YouTube.
- Five Star Rating Support: Users can rate the PlayStation Store content they have purchased with one to five star ratings.
- Power Save Settings: The default setting for PS3 System Auto-Off will be set at 2 hours, providing you with additional power save options and further improving power save features on the PS3 system.
In addition to the features mentioned above, an upgraded PlayStation Network application for Facebook is included in firmware update 3.40. The new, separate application allows users to further integrate their PlayStation Network and Facebook accounts by displaying their PlayStation Network profile on their Facebook account, running a search to see which of the their Facebook friends have a PlayStation Network account and various other features.
Update:
As reported by Joystiq, PlayStation 3 owners will now find a “calibrate motion controller” tab in the settings menu. Sony has yet comment as to whether support for the console's upcoming motion controller was included in the device's latest update. PlayStation Move is set to hit store shelves on September 15 in North America, September 19 in Europe and October 21 in Japan.
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