PS3 Firmware 3.0 Out Now
Feature list
- What's New display showing new stuff on PSN, recently played games, new articles on the official blog, etc. All of these are in fact shortcuts and by selecting them you'll go to that item directly, whether in PS Store, Browser, or actually booting the game. (Booting a game requires you to press the Start button rather than X, presumably to prevent you losing a lot of time by accidentally selecting it)
- PS Store avialable under all categories now for which content is available. Basically a category filter for the What's New section, showing for instance only Video content, or Games content
- Stereo audio upscaling up-to 7.1 at 176KHz extended to audio files on USB and HDD (note, as with CD not compatible with XMB multitasking, so if you want music while browsing you need to select the default 48Khz option)
- Music output possible to all audio ports at once. The non-default audio output will only output a stereo signal (e.g. for outputting sound to your stereo and to your TV separately).
- 3D Theme support (see vid below), default theme has sparkles now that move if you shake the sixaxis, for instance, and they flow in a direction related to your scrolling behaviour in the XMB. LBP theme available in US for $3, Afrika theme available for free in JPN. A Classic Theme option is still available for those who don't like the sparklies.
- Friends list redesign, with most important feature ability to read his/her messages directly from there rather than having to go to the message inbox.
- Boot-up screens for both the system and games have been changed primarily to improve speed. No splash for games, short splash during boot-up.
- Default font size increased for readability
- Status indicator containing number of friends online, number of messages waiting, clock, ticker (all regions except 'PAL'). Analog clock is also the universal busy indicator (will spin when busy).
- Control video playback speed very precisely by rotating the right analog stick (cf professional editing boards)
- Scrollbars when scrolling through large lists fast showing where you are in the list
- Trophies can be further categorised by developers, making categories for instance for main game and DLC trophies, etc. (only for future games/updates)
- Platinum Trophy no longer counts towards the Trophy percentage
- Web browser has a print screen option to a printer connected over USB or over LAN
- Phones can now be registered as remote play devices
- Settings descriptions (each settings has a description)
- Copy/Paste available in more areas (including the input boxes, messages)
- Internet Connection Test includes speed test
- Web Browser screen capture function
- Avatar support extended, with a slot for Premium avatars
Bugs / Complaints
- No option for deselecting ticker
- No option for changing the font size (only type)
- Disabling What's New option doesn't seem to work for everyone/anyone
- People want option for old splash (I agree it was classy); actually some people just want an option for old everything.
- When selecting the Classic Theme, sparklies still appear in some cases (may have to do with certain items having their own Theme/background, like iPlayer)
- I'm guessing that the XMB uses more power. Will be interesting to see if you can disable enough options to bring the power-use down close to the original. Look forward to someone measuring this.
Official video preview:
(click for widescreen/HD)
Afrika Theme
(click for widescreen/HD)
Feature list
- What's New display showing new stuff on PSN, recently played games, new articles on the official blog, etc. All of these are in fact shortcuts and by selecting them you'll go to that item directly, whether in PS Store, Browser, or actually booting the game. (Booting a game requires you to press the Start button rather than X, presumably to prevent you losing a lot of time by accidentally selecting it)
- PS Store avialable under all categories now for which content is available. Basically a category filter for the What's New section, showing for instance only Video content, or Games content
- Stereo audio upscaling up-to 7.1 at 176KHz extended to audio files on USB and HDD (note, as with CD not compatible with XMB multitasking, so if you want music while browsing you need to select the default 48Khz option)
- Music output possible to all audio ports at once. The non-default audio output will only output a stereo signal (e.g. for outputting sound to your stereo and to your TV separately).
- 3D Theme support (see vid below), default theme has sparkles now that move if you shake the sixaxis, for instance, and they flow in a direction related to your scrolling behaviour in the XMB. LBP theme available in US for $3, Afrika theme available for free in JPN. A Classic Theme option is still available for those who don't like the sparklies.
- Friends list redesign, with most important feature ability to read his/her messages directly from there rather than having to go to the message inbox.
- Boot-up screens for both the system and games have been changed primarily to improve speed. No splash for games, short splash during boot-up.
- Default font size increased for readability
- Status indicator containing number of friends online, number of messages waiting, clock, ticker (all regions except 'PAL'). Analog clock is also the universal busy indicator (will spin when busy).
- Control video playback speed very precisely by rotating the right analog stick (cf professional editing boards)
- Scrollbars when scrolling through large lists fast showing where you are in the list
- Trophies can be further categorised by developers, making categories for instance for main game and DLC trophies, etc. (only for future games/updates)
- Platinum Trophy no longer counts towards the Trophy percentage
- Web browser has a print screen option to a printer connected over USB or over LAN
- Phones can now be registered as remote play devices
- Settings descriptions (each settings has a description)
- Copy/Paste available in more areas (including the input boxes, messages)
- Internet Connection Test includes speed test
- Web Browser screen capture function
- Avatar support extended, with a slot for Premium avatars
Bugs / Complaints
- No option for deselecting ticker
- No option for changing the font size (only type)
- Disabling What's New option doesn't seem to work for everyone/anyone
- People want option for old splash (I agree it was classy); actually some people just want an option for old everything.
- When selecting the Classic Theme, sparklies still appear in some cases (may have to do with certain items having their own Theme/background, like iPlayer)
- I'm guessing that the XMB uses more power. Will be interesting to see if you can disable enough options to bring the power-use down close to the original. Look forward to someone measuring this.
Official video preview:
Afrika Theme