Sony posts PS3 firmware 2.0
Added: remote control and more
PS3 owners need no longer worry about being separated from their console, because Sony’s latest firmware update - version 2.0 - lets users remotely start their PS3.
Dubbed Remote Start, the firmware feature builds on Remote Play – an existing feature allowing gamers to stream content from their PS3 to a PSP – by letting PSPs remotely switch on the console when the handheld is within range of a wireless hotspot. Although a tie-up with Starbucks hasn’t been announced...
Sony's PS3 firmware 2.0: wallpaper available
Version 2.0 also includes Information Board, which Sony claimed allows it "to communicate directly with PS3 users” for, you guessed it, news about software, hardware and firmware releases.
Sony’s also added a custom themes feature to let gamers personalise their PS3’s XMB user interface. For example, you can now change wallpapers and icons with themes downloaded from the Playstation store. You'll be able to create your own too, though Sony's not yet saying how. Keep an eye on PlayStation.com is all it would say on the matter.
Sony also has plans up its sleeves for theme tie-ups with specific titles and brands.
Gamers now have direct access to the online PlayStation Store and to their account management settings, thanks to the addition of a PlayStation Network icon to the XMB.
The update also includes a setting for creating music and photo playlists from content stored on the PS3.
Unfortunately, the update makes no reference to features improving the console’s support for Blu-ray Disc interactivity features, which was promised “soon” by a Sony executive last month.
More information about the PS3’s version 2.0 firmware update can be found on Sony’s website.
COMMENTS
Network icon
"Gamers now have direct access to the online PlayStation Store and to their account management settings, thanks to the addition of a PlayStation Network icon to the XMB."
Gamers already had direct access to the Store and account settings before this update, the icons were under "Network" rather than their own "Playstation Network" heading.
Chicken/Egg
With PS3s accounting for 90-something percent of all BluRay players, and no sign of that changing particularly soon, there won't be too much in the way of interactivity features that it won't support on real discs. It's a niche format as it is - for all they like to crow about outselling HD-DVD, both formats together account for around 2% of the numbers regular DVD is shifting in the US, and even lower elesewhere. BluRay versions 1.1 and 2.0 are niches of niches.
David - Home has been put back to spring next year, because they're not yet happy with the closed beta version.
upgrade
Why spend time coding stupid features like this (who needs hearts and flowers wallpaper!) and not fix the memory issue with the browser, add support for divx, etc
I also thought release 2 was going to be a big kahuna release - i.e. Home.
@ Adrian
True, I have mentioned before in previous posts that I just want to watch the film, rather than faff around with 'extra' features. So possibly a blessing there are no extra features (@Mike)
One thing though, I've noticed that you can indeed have custom play lists.. There is now an option and I have been able to do so. Not sure if I am reading what you have said correctly, but it does seem to be included. Not sure about messaging in game though as I don't message in game.
Blu-ray
Clearly the medium of the future - it's always got new features arriving 'real soon now'.
