So there is yet another PS3 firmware update. Once again the risk of something going wrong leaving either PSN or your PS3 useless… we take a look at the features (and lack of…)
So the firmware has been bumped to V3.40 – what do we get:
- PlayStation Plus: PlayStation Network users will be able to purchase membership toPlayStation 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 Facebookand 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.
So in short a little more Web 2.0 stuff, some nice sharing options but for my liking we are still missing a few essential things which stop the PS3 online service from really hitting it off…
- Cross Game Chat
- Support for MKV files on HDD
- Support for streaming MKV files without having to remux/transcode using a DNLA server
I wouldn’t mind but XBOX 360 launched with cross game chat out there. Sony have had over 3 years to get this sorted… I don’t always want to play with online friends, but sometimes it is nice to chat! This is a feature that will stop me from playing COD 7 (Black Ops) until all my friends get it – simple really – I want to chat while I play. But with different games we can’t – SORT IT OUT SONY!
The last thing that is an interesting development is the Video Editor/Uploader – this seems like a nice idea, in future updates I hope Sony work it so that you can plug in your HD camcorder to edit films on the fly – and it would be amazing if we were able to use it to capture game footage… you just never know…
Fingers crossed and lets see what 3.50 brings!
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