Hi everyone, PlayStation 3 (PS3) firmware update (v3.00) adds a number of great new features that we’re excited to share with you. The latest update incorporates changes that improve navigation on your PS3. First, you’ll notice some cosmetic changes to the design of the XMB (Xross Media Bar). We’ve enhanced the look and feel of the XMB so that it’s easier and even more intuitive to use. We’ve also added network improvements and personalization options to help enhance your PS3 experience.
Additional highlights from update 3.00 include:
- “What’s New” – The “Information Board” will be replaced with a “What’s New” section, which allows you to enjoy interactive PlayStation news every time you start the PS3 system. Located under the PlayStation Network icon, “What’s New” displays the latest and greatest game, video, PlayStation Network and PlayStation news and releases, as well as your recently played games, in a sleek, new animated format.
- Status Indicator – In the top right corner we’ve added an indicator bar, which displays your user icon, friend icon, the number of friends you have online and a small message icon to let you know if you have any new messages. The indicator also includes a scrolling ticker that features the latest news from PlayStation Network. In addition, when you press the PS button, the battery life indicator will no longer cover up the clock.
- Friends List – Now your PlayStation Network friends will appear in a slightly redesigned format on your Friends List. Also, messages will now be viewable from each of your friends’ respective profiles.
- PlayStation Store Shortcuts – We’ve added a handy shortcut icon to the PlayStation Store under both the Game and Video categories so you can access the latest content quickly and easily.
- Personalization – Personalize your PS3 with new dynamic custom themes and avatars. Dynamic themes as well as free and premium avatars will be available through PlayStation Store. A dynamic theme takes your screen to a whole new level as it incorporates animated objects into the background.
- Trophies – Showcasing your hard earned trophies just got better. Update 3.00 gives game developers the ability to modify how they display trophies for add-on content. Base and add-on game trophies will continue to be combined into a single list so you can see where you stand in a game as a whole. Within that list, trophies will be broken out into subcategories—base trophies and add-on trophies—that way, you can easily view the percentage of your base game trophy collection, and separately track your trophy progress in add-on packs. Look for this enhancement to be included in upcoming games.
To get a preview of what’s coming in update 3.00, check out the video below:
We’re looking forward to releasing firmware update 3.00 soon. As always, we appreciate your feedback.
Very nice
Nice!
Will the ability to disable trophy support be in a later firmware?
All the social aspects like quick access to # of friends online and message display sounds great. Scrolling ticker might not be worthwhile… depends if the rate of speed is adjustable.
NICE!!! i’ve been wanting that message indicator. sounds great.
INSANE! This is awesome. Great work Sony!
The clock is fixed! yay! :D
Announced recently? I literally JUST read the live bloggin update from the eu playstation blog and this was posted. Talk about quick ;)
WOOOT!!!
yes finnaly
YAY! Thanks for the update, I’ll be watching it when the live blog finishes.
Clock fix!!!
FRIKIN AWESOME UPDATE!!!!
Awesome!!!! when will we get the hall of fame on HOME and 3D trophies???
Premium Avatars, guys? Really?
yeah! great sony!
Nice, but where the heck is PS2 Backwards Compatibility? Get off your butts and make this happen!
BLOODY HELL you were on the ball with tat Eric
Battery meter moved – thats all i need. EPIC WIN!
Not very compelling. BC for PS2 games? Party chat? Nice bells and whistles additions guys but would prefer these two things above all and is the only thing setting you apart from the competition. Still love you though :)
I can’t wait to try it out.
I told myself I wouldn’t cry…..I’ll go watch the notebook now.
OMG, Awesome!!!
Thank you Eric, I hope we keep getting more of this GREAT features. This was what we were talking about. YES!
Neato!
Cross game chat?
So cool!
Hooray!!
Wow!
where is the update to make my PS3 BC! id even pay for that one!?
but some nice changes overall :)
Cross game chat?
cool
that isn’t anything special just a bunch of bells and whistles
Mostly looking good.
Please please please let there be an option to allow the system to start up and default to the game section of the XMB instead of forcing you into the What’s New section. That is one of my biggest pet peeves about the “other” service and I’d like to at least have the option to control where my system starts.
sweeeeet
“taps foot waiting for cross game chat”
This is the best update since the 2.4 update and that was over a year ago.
Wow…this was put up pretty fast considering the announcement was just a few minutes ago.
All those changes seem pretty cosmetic and don’t seem to address many requests made by the community eg. cross game voice chat.
What does soon mean? September 1st?
Yes finally! :)
Released soon as in tonight riiiiiiiight!?!?!?
You guys didn’t wasted time. It was planned from the getgo. :)
Now here is my feedback.
Where is the updates that we gamers care about? You know, in-game chat?
So we are “soon” at version 3 and, unless you guys decided it was not worth mentioning, we still do not have cross game chat (XGC?)…
When is this updating coming?
Now it just seems a bit cluttered with everything everywhere now.
Hope I’m wrong though…
Awesome LBP theme..
This is an awesome firmware update, Eric. Congrats and thanks for continuing to make the PS3 even better!
Although I’d like to see trophy support for older games like The Godfather and Heavily Sword. :)
Love you guys
awesome update looking forward to it
Party room, cross game voice chat? Please implement these features.
Hahahaha!! Yes!! You know what made my day about this (if I’m not including the rumor that may or may not be true)? Personalization, Friends List and Status Indicator!! HAHA! You guys rock! You’ve earned your R&R tonight, no doubt. =D