After yesterday’s PSP firmware update, the PS3 gets one today bringing the system to v2.60. Did Sony introduce some new features? You bet! Will you care even the slightest about them? Not a chance! Are you required to get this update to connect to the PSN? Yup. So go ahead, spend about 10-15 minutes downloading and installing this update.
With v2.60, Sony has introduced a Photo Gallery service. While it’s impressive that you can sort on so many levels, including average age of the people in the photo and number of smiles, it’s still something that won’t get touched by the majority of PS3 gamers. Hell, I don’t even have any photos on my PS3 other than the wallpaper I made. In an even more useless note, you can now browse the PlayStation Store without having to signup for the PSN. Again, something that just isn’t going to make a difference to hardly anyone other there.
Hopefully Sony can drop some decent updates next time, like having Trophy information sync automatically and speed up Trophy comparisons (they’re slower than hell, in case you weren’t aware). Maybe some cross-game invites too, who knows.
Sony dropped a firmware update for the PSP today, bringing the system to v5.03. According to Sony PR, this update “improves system software stability during use of some features.” That’s some detailed explanation there.
Digging a little deeper, it looks like Sony pushed this update out after all the hoopla with the hacking scene getting homebrew to run on the PSP-3000 (aka Brite). There was an exploit in Gripshift that looks to have been patched in this firmware update.
It’s always a cat and mouse game with the hackers and Sony to get homebrew on the PSP. I’m sure the scene will find a new way to get homebrew running soon enough.
With the PSP now semi-utilizing the PlayStation Network, Sony has the unique opportunity of branching out their Trophy system to the handheld platform. Both upcoming retail and downloadable titles could feature Trophies that, when unlocked, could sync up to the PSN to add to your total level. But will they make it happen?
Of late, Sony has been slow on the uptake when it comes to enhancing the features of the PlayStation Network, especially on the PSP. With the PlayStation Store now running natively on the handheld, there’s no reason other PSN features couldn’t be worked in as well, particularly friends lists and messaging. There’s really no technical reason these features can’t be added. The same goes for Trophies. There is enough internal flash memory to store that information along side the firmware or even on the memory stick. The network functionality is in place to keep everything synchronized. It’s not a matter of logistics, it’s a matter of putting in the work to get it done.
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You’re going to have to spend a good 15 minutes or more updating your PS3 again. Firmware update v2.53 is now available. What exactly does it bring? Well, it gives you options for viewing Flash on websites.
- Full-screen mode playability
- Live movie (using RTMP format) playability
As someone who never uses the PS3 web browser, I’d like to say “who gives a shit?”. Whatever your preference, you’ll have to get the update if you want to connect to the PSN. So plan some extra time before you fire up Resistance 2 or LittleBigPlanet or whatever your game of choice is currently.
Sony yesterday released a new firmware update for the PS3, bringing the black beast to v2.52. Nothing huge here, so you don’t need to rush to fire up the console if you haven’t already. Here’s the changes:
- The playback quality of some PS3 format software has been improved.
- A text entry issue that occurs when using the on-screen keyboard, USB keyboard or Bluetooth keyboard with some PS3 format software has been addressed.
You need to grab this to connect to the PSN, so fire it up whenever you get a chance. I’d suggest doing so before the PlayStation Store update later today when the servers start getting hammered.
Lots of new features coming to the PS3 and PSP this week. The PS3 will hit v2.50 and the PSP gets to v5.00. What’s new that you can expect?
Let’s start with the PSP, where the biggest change is the addition of the native PlayStation Store. A new PSN icon will be available on the XMB and you’ll be able to sign it, manage your account, and grab all the PSP goodness without the need of the PC Store. Other minor tweaks include a full screen keyboard and a redesigned XMB background.
More important, for many of you out there, is the PS3 firmware update v2.50. A lot is going on under the hood here, so expect some changes. Support for the new official PS3 Bluetooth headset is being added as well as interface enhancements for Trophies. It’s a pain comparing Trophies now, so hopefully it gets sped up. You’ll now be able to see Friend Status for offline friends, use power save options for your PS3 and controller. enter PSN Codes directly in the PlayStation Store and use Scene Search in videos. Another new big addition is the ability to take in-game screenshots for games that support it. Don’t expect any old games to get this functionality, but new games will be able to rock it out if they so choose.
No word yet on an exact release date, but expect to see these updates either Tuesday or Wednesday this week. That’s what a little birdie told us 
Late last night, Sony quietly dropped firmware v2.42. This looks like a maintenance and security release to us. No Life with PlayStation or anything major from what we can tell.
Since you need this to play online, go download it. I’m really surprised they released this one without Life with PlayStation though…
I have a very strong feeling this has to do with the recently released homebrew hacks for the PS3 where you could play Pong and other things via an image exploit. Who wants to bet Sony patched this hole ASAP?
Ok, these firmware updates need to slow the hell down. Every time I turn around, I’m updating my PSP. The newest, v4.05, adds some new visualizers for music playback. Yeah, good times. A quick trip through all the menus didn’t turn up any blatant new features.
If you use your PSP for music a lot, fire up the network connection and download the newest update. If you have an iPod, you can skip this one or wait until you need it.
Sony fixed the issue with 2.40 and has released v2.41 this morning so everyone can get their in-game XMB on. Fire up your PS3 and hit the download. I’m sure the servers are going to get hammered.
Doesn’t look like anything major changed since 2.40. The only thing I noticed is the Platinum Trophy icon in the profile screen is different. Otherwise, everything looks the same. One thing to note is that you now accept all the conditions before downloading. I’m not sure if this is because I already have 2.40 installed, but it’s good that once you start the download, you can walk away and the firmware will install itself.
CVG got word from a Sony customer support rep that firmware v2.41 is coming by midweek to fix the issues that people were having with the pulled v2.40. Take this with a grain of salt as it came from a customer support rep, but we’re betting Sony will have the revised firmware out as soon as possible.
We tried to get in contact with Sony to confirm or deny what’s going on, but we did not hear back by press time. We’ll see what happens in the next couple days.
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