PS3 firmwares 2.0 and 2.10

[Asher]

Yikes. Underwhelming slightly? I guess they're not using the major.minor versioning scheme, since this is a very minor release at best.

Official PR: http://threespeech.com/blog/?p=699

Summary of new features:

On top of the ability to turn the PlayStation 3 on remotely via the PSP, Version 2.00 also allows the creation of playlists in both the music and photo sections, giving users an opportunity to create unlimited music playlists, as well as sharing favourite photos in high definition.

Version 2.00 also allows for customisation of the XMB menu screen, with the ability to change the colour and brightness or to set a completely different custom theme. Moreover, there’s the addition of an Information Board on XMB to keep users up to date on the latest PlayStation news, the inclusion of a new PlayStation Network category and logo for easier navigation and Trend Micro Web Security, a free, state of the art internet security system.

 

[patsu]

Looks like a 0.1 jump from 1.90 to 2.00.

People who are anticipating in-game XMB access are going to be disappointed.

The playlist thing is actually not bad (I was hurting for it), but it would be much more coherent with the recent gaming activities to rollout gaming extensions first.

I wonder how far along is PS Home beta now.

 

[Paul]

Huge disapointment. In game XMB should have been the main feature of 2.0, they know how badly everybody wants it. What is stopping them from doing this?

 

[Gradthrawn]

Much more detail here. I'd like more info on the playlist, and I'm hoping for sequential playback of video files (even if there's no playlist support). Proper folder support (in addition to tag support) would be wonderful.

Huge disapointment. In game XMB should have been the main feature of 2.0, they know how badly everybody wants it. What is stopping them from doing this?

Something fairly technical, I would guess, as they've been quite good, IMO, about adding user requested features.

EDIT

I'm surprised people are calling this a minor update. Playlist support, (limited) RSS feeds, Theme support, and Remote Start would have undoubtedly been at least .10 update. And 1.90 + .10 = 2.00. Minor updates have always been security and stability improvements.

 

[patsu]

More screenshots over at Kotaku:
http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2007/11/07/exclusive-the-first-details-of-ps3-firmware-2-00/

 

[XeRo]

In summary, the whole internet exploded with anger because of this news. I wonder if Sony wants to do in-game xmb with HOME beta?

 

[DJ12]

Huge disapointment. In game XMB should have been the main feature of 2.0, they know how badly everybody wants it. What is stopping them from doing this?

Personally, I couldn't give a stuff about it. So not everyone "wants" it.

I will have to see what it allows you to do, but customisation of the XMB and being able to use themes is more appealing to me, much more.

 

[XeRo]

What does this in-game xmb look like? Can someone give an example using 360? I heard 360 has something like that, but I have never seen it on my 360.

 

[patsu]

There is a new top level icon (Notice the globe icon to the far right). I supposed this is the new PSN category... whatever it means.


EDIT: Even more pictures here: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8519587&postcount=121

EDIT 2: Ok, the icon only contains "PS Store" and "Account Management", I guess they want to highlight Playstation specific services more (Generic Internet services like web browsing and RSS would go into the old globe icon)

 

[Gradthrawn]

What does this in-game xmb look like? Can someone give an example using 360? I heard 360 has something like that, but I have never seen it on my 360.

Hit the 360 logo on your controller (while the system is already on), and it will bring up the 360's in-game utility. Allowing you to control music playback, messaging (chat, text, voice, (and maybe even video, I'm not sure), and achievements,

 

[pipo]

I will have to see what it allows you to do, but customisation of the XMB and being able to use themes is more appealing to me, much more.

Much more?



I'm sorry, but if themes are sooo appealing...

Anyway, like most other people, I'm a bit disappointed too.

Like I predicted a long time ago, I didn't expect the seamless integration of these features to be an easy ride though.

 

[pipo]

Hit the 360 logo on your controller (while the system is already on), and it will bring up the 360's in-game utility. Allowing you to control music playback, messaging (chat, text, voice, (and maybe even video, I'm not sure), and achievements,

For video you have to exit the game though.

You can get into other games with friends or send invites, it has messenger integration, you can edit your profile and default settings, etc...

The main features are centered around (the) friends (list) of course. You're always in contact with them and can start e.g. a conversation no matter what you or your friends are doing.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

More screenshots over at Kotaku:
http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2007/11/07/exclusive-the-first-details-of-ps3-firmware-2-00/

Pretty, original, and sweet.

As for version changes, I guess people are measuring Sony's firmware by application standards. Version 2 of a graphics package or whatever is a major overhaul with major feature change, normally. A look at PSP firmware shows Sony use it just as a counter for releases. People getting angry should only be angry at themselves for making huge assumptions! Though if they want I'll let them be a bit annoyed at Sony for not allowing XMB in game. With these themes, it'd be awesomely swish if the theme could be replaced with an in-game theme and called up over the game, giving access to all the functionality without breaking out of the game's styling.

 

[XeRo]

Is it even possible to update to BD 1.1 through FW for PS3 or is this hardware thing?

 

[Gradthrawn]

Is it even possible to update to BD 1.1 through FW for PS3 or is this hardware thing?

Its a software thing, so, yes, it can be updated through firmware. And it already meets all of the hardware requirements for the 2.0 Profile as well, so, that shouldn't be much of an issue either.

 

[XeRo]

I have too many questions to ask.

Was reading GAF and someone mentioned that in-game XMB would use up to much ram hence why they aren't implementing it?

 

[Arwin]

Is it even possible to update to BD 1.1 through FW for PS3 or is this hardware thing?

No, they can do this through a FW update. Or maybe they already have?

Anyway, 2.0 could have a very strong change that the core of it, that we're not seeing as the end user of this version right now, but counts for developers, for Home, and for who knows what else. It seems to be a bit skinny, but we'll find out more soon. At least it's coming. (those themes do look really cute)

Playlists are a big thing for me, but I also want to be able to organise my demos in folders and such. Remains to be seen when we get to see these things.

I think they may have made some pretty serious internal revisions. That can lead to a 2.0, and in the context of what's going on behind the scenes (again, Home, SDKs, etc.), seems likely. But also indeed, with 1.94 they weren't far off having to go 2.0 anyway either.

Having too many features added at once is risky just before Christmas, all these new users, new games, lots of PR attention, and if you then get too many issues ... hmm.

Anyway, let's see what it turns out to be when we get the full thing - this wasn't a full feature list, for sure.

 

[RobertR1]

Why to be a let down yet again Sony! Truly Like.Nther. Time to draw some queer rainbows on my PS3 and get excited about it.

 

[pipo]

Time to draw some queer rainbows on my PS3 and get excited about it.

 

[patsu]

I have too many questions to ask.

Was reading GAF and someone mentioned that in-game XMB would use up to much ram hence why they aren't implementing it?

It was confirmed by the official blog that Sony got the message and was/is working on it. Perhaps they want to integrate it better with PS Home (clan/room support) ? Don't know what the real reason is.