Firmware 1.90 Coming Soon

903 0

UPDATE: The Firmware 1.90 update is available now; I’ve also included an update below that addresses some of your comments here.

Firmware 1.90 brings with it several new features, many of which readers of this blog have requested – I’m happy to report.

Customization is one new feature: you can now personalize the wallpaper on your XMB with a photo. This was one of the top three requests we received via the blog’s contact form. When viewing a photo, simply bring up the options screen by pressing the triangle button and selecting “set as wallpaper” from the options displayed. Additionally, you can now change the order of the games displayed under the game icon on the XMB.

Another new feature focuses on added communication elements: When you’re sending messages to friends on PLAYSTATION Network, you can now use emoticons. We’ve added a bunch of emoticons that can be easily accessed from the virtual keyboard. Also, another cool addition is, when an avatar is displayed during voice/video chat, the avatar will move in response to audio.

Finally, on the more technical side, you can now play AVCHD videos saved on a Memory Stick or digital video camera, and we’ve added the ability to upscale audio CD output from your PS3. Now, there are two requirements for this feature: the device you’re outputting to must support a sampling frequency of 88.2 kHz or 176.4 kHz, and your PS3 must be connected to that device with an HDMI cable or digital optical cable.

Oh, and one more thing: you can now eject discs using your controller by selecting “Eject Disc” in the options menu after you push the PS button.

Several other minor options will be included in 1.90 including a few new display options that will allow you to adjust your display while playing PlayStation, PlayStation2 and Blu-ray movies.

We’re working on additional features for our next update that will incorporate more of your feedback, so as always thanks for all of your support, and please keep those suggestions coming!

[UPDATE]
The link on the SCEA website is now live, you can get the full info on firmware 1.90 here. Also, I noticed a lot of your comments were directly related to accessing XMB features in-game. We understand this is something you want and we are working on it. For the sake of keeping all the comments below on topic, please understand that we hear this request and are working toward a solution. When I have some more info to share on this, know that I will do so here on this blog.

Now, with all of that said, thanks for the feedback. I decided to address some of the consistent comments in the body of this post instead of within the comments. One thing you have noticed is that under sorting your games, when you sort by creation date, it sorts by the date you downloaded the content. Sorting videos is done by the date that the videos were added to your hard drive. You can also ‘go-to’ a specific time in any of the videos on your HDD, by hitting triangle and then selecting the specific time from the clock at the bottom.

Something a few of you have noticed as well is that you don’t need to have the SIXAXIS controller connected to PS3 through the USB cable anymore to complete the update, which I know is something some of you were asking for.

Comments are closed.

903 Comments

  • Well here’s my run down since I own an xbox360 as well :-

    1) Ability to start download and switch off once PS3 finished it turns itself off automatically
    2) Upscaling to 1080P of all games not just PSone/PS2 etc.
    3) Samba support for copying of files or streaming
    4) More demos there’s not enough !!!
    5) More games to release at the same time as other consoles/PC. Still waiting for DiRT !!!!

    Can’t think of anymore just now.

    Cheers
    GingerNinja

  • Sony already knows in-game XMB is the most request but anyhow I still log my request again so they need to work hard on this.
    ******In-game XMB please********

  • Oh yeah and one other thing, download in the background whilst playing games or watching films. Since at present it stops the downloads…..

  • How about making the pop-up smaller? That little pop-up when someone logs on or off is too big. It takes to log to go away and just looks bad. I think it could be smaller or thinner at the very top of the screen that is longer rather then thicker.

  • Not sure if this one was mentioned but I would like to see the PLAYSTATION 3 game startup screen changed.

    PLEASE get rid of the static image and the little tinkle sound and use the one you guys have at the end of the PLAYSTATION 3 commercials and trailers.

    Thanks for your time.

    JD

  • We desperately need In-game XMB and custom sound tracks. These need to be TOP priority. The Devs kits can do it, why can’t we?

  • My HDTV World Plasma and LCD HDTV Price Comparison - Coupons, Discounts & Price Drops » PS3 firmware v1.90 adds (forced) 1080p24, expands AVCHD support

    […] Read – PlayStation.BlogRead – Impress […]

  • Nice update. But can we please get the music player in game? Im sure your waiting to release it with the in game xmb but id love to just have the music option via the ps quit game menu just till 2.00 is ready. I really dont wanna wait till TGS just to get the 2.0 update =(

  • @155
    Background download on the ps3 lets you play games and it still downloads just not when your online or playing a dvd. In game xmb is being asked by 95% of the people on this blog, IN GAME XMB, I just dont get it you guys took it out when you released the final ps3 model. Why did you take out IN GAME XMB? Please guys IN GAME XMB IS A MUST.

  • IN-GAME XMB ACCESS!!!

  • You guys are FREAKING AWESOME!

    Thanks for the wallpapers, the eject option, as well as the emoticons and display settings option. THIS is what I call a quality firmware update… :)

    The only things left on my mind(since you wanted us to continue with feedback) are a few things, many of which already mentioned:

    -PSP as a “true” remote for the PS3’s media functions, rather than just an extended device. This includes DVD, BD, CD, MUSIC, PHOTO, and basic XMB navigation.

    -Allowing for different folder heirarchy in under MUSIC, as I would like to list each artist, followed by albums within those folders, THEN the songs.

    -“True” in-game XMB, where when you double tap the PS button the game freezes(like on PSP) and the XMB overlays ontop of the game, and allows you to go through and do LIMITED tasks, such as replying to a message, chatting with someone, sending out an invite to the game, or checking up on some cheats in the web browser.

    -More video file extension support. DivX and Xvid would jump at the chance to extend their format through you guys, although im sure you would have to sign some sort of deal with them. Either way the video buffs would love it and it would help a lot of us really get more use out of the PS3.

    -I would love for you guys to spend some time improving and refining the upscaling of PS1/PS2 games. If there is any way possible to do a little texture smoothing, AA or AF it would be awesome.

    Other than those firmware items, the only things really bugging me in general are:

    -No first party PS2-to-PS3 controller adapter with rumble support
    -Bluetooth connection still randomly drops- causing me to die on Super Stardust HD which is not cool
    -Developers, which supposedly have access to music on HDD, aren’t adding in-game music options to their games- not even Sony is
    -PSP enhanced games a no show. What happened to rear-view mirrors in F1, inventory screens and character stats, or football plays on the PSP with a PS3 game?

    Also, have you guys ever thought about redesigning the PS3 controller when you add rumble? The best bet would be to keep the basic layout and core shape, but smooth out all the edges, corners, and that sort of thing just like M$ did with the xbox-to-360 controller redesign.

  • Excellent news! I am absolutely thrilled to hear about the audio upscaling!!!

  • Good stuff in this update :D

    One of the things I’ve been really wanting but not many people seem to be asking for is custom playlists. I’m not talking about the ability to listen to my music during gameplay, I just want to be able to customize the order my songs play and I want to be able to create a playlist so I don’t have to play album-by-album.

    Also, I want to be able to stream from KCRWmusic.com :P

    Cheers!

  • Great news Eric, and Im happy to see the PS3 evolve, but a couple of things Im sure you know a lot of users want:

    1) In-game XMB
    2) PS3 games upscaled to 1080i/p

    Can you give us an update on either? I know I, as well as many others would be extremely happy with those features. Are they coming? Any time info?

  • @lazedk

    I agree with the second part 100%(@ your earlier post)
    But people want upscaling because most 2001-2003 HDTV’s are 1080i-480p only, and since lots of PS3 games are up to 720p, they only get 480p, because the Ps3 can’t upscale.

  • Please have the PS3 support .AVI format.

    Thanks and keep up the good work SONY.

  • Where is Eric???

  • good job, but i hope we get an upgrade 4 the flash player next time.

  • @nuffmon,
    In the web browser, the F1 button is triangle for options enter is X, etc. you just gotta play with it, they are already mapped.

  • Engadget HD » PS3 firmware v1.90 adds (forced) 1080p24, expands AVCHD support

    […] Read – PlayStation.BlogRead – Impress […]

  • How about an update where I can resume DVD’s from where I left off in the event that I turn my ps3 off??

  • @169

    I don’t think Eric has ever responded to his post, but obviously, he is reading them :)

  • Thank you Sony for having this blog. I saw Japan just got this firmware and started to wonder when we would see it in the states, and I’m glad you guys are on the ball.
    I love custom wallpapers, and I’m happy to see them. I do have to chime in with.. well… everyone in saying that the PS3 desperately needs XMB access in-game. Even if it’s limited access. Maybe friends/messaging, music, and web. There’s no need for video or picture access during a game. But playing Stardust HD and hearing the same looping music over and over makes me want to stop playing it. Definitely need access to music from in-game XMB. Definitely need access to friends and messages from the XMB as well for obvious reasons. Lastly, web access would be a major advantage over the competition if you could offer it through in-game XMB. Imagine being stuck in a game and just going to the XMB and jumping onto gamefaqs and getting help. It would also open up access to queuing up downloads from the store, and downloading additional content while playing. Browser access while playing a game would be brilliant, though understandably difficult.

    Thanks again for keeping the community updated, and keep us updated on the whole in-game XMB business. It’s obvious everyone is interested.

  • Loot Ninja » PS3 Firmware Update v1.90 Out in Japan, Coming Soon for Rest of World

    […] a new firmware out for the PS3 today in Japan, bringing the console to v1.90. The rest of the world will see the […]

  • How about game title and movie playback based video settings? Say I want to watch all my regular dvds upconvert to 1080i, all unspecified games play in 1080i, but specified games like Rainbow Six Vegas to play in 720p (since 1080 setting makes the graphic looks blurry).

    The other thing I wish was that the video would support more formats, especially like mov and wmv.

    And the ability to use the browser to go to website and be able to “right click and save” a link target to the hard drive, such as mov/wmv video files.

  • it sucks that the ps3 cant still not read .avi or divx movie …

  • Well, Thanks for the small parts…
    But there are still some major things I´m missing:

    – As the PS3 already beeing a BlueTooth device, why not make it useable for BlueTooth-headphones via A2DP? Also, USB Headsets would be nice seeing supported, too.
    – While on the BlueTooth thing, be sure to add the AVRCP feature as well – skipping tracks from the headphones, for those who don´t get it –
    – Then, the headphones should be selectable inside Audio-Output-Options – maybe parallel to “normal” audio.
    – “Mono”, sotosay “normal” Headsets could also be used for audio transmition.

    That, among other things already mentioned, would I like to have on my PS3. (Thanks for reading :-)

  • Electronic Zone » PS3 firmware 1.90 hits Japan, Europe tomorrow, NA “coming soon”

    […] we can expect news on the firmware “early [this] week”, and PSN’s Eric Lampel said the update is “coming soon.” We’ll be sure to give you a full rundown of the […]

  • Great update :-)

    And guys, the firmware with the in-game xmb access will probably come out at the same time as Home comes out in October.

  • great update but how about giving us some info on whats going on with the ingame xmb everyone has requested it and no one from sony has said anything dont get me wrong this update is great but it seems u guys are dodging the question how about letting us know whats going on with this ingame xmb its a very important feature wich imo we shoulda had from day one.

  • XMB friendslist access at all times is still a requirement, and probably wouldn’t drain a game’s resources as you could pull away to the black screen if necessary (while not ideal).

    Flash Player 9 support would be awesome, if you could somehow get the keyboard and mouse to work just like a PC’s so that we can play a few Flash games on PS3, I would love Sony forever.

    Also, standby charging would be awesome, as would .Avi support and non-DLNA network support.

    And people who wants custom soundtracks from Sony are dense, it’s not up to Sony to decide what a developer implements into their game, and playing extra music from the XMB (which, by the way, is possible while using the browser) would conflict with the game and drain resources. :)

  • I would like it if u could press the ps button to view a message someone sends you so that you don’t have to quit the game you are playing to view a message or even go into chat mode.

    This is an online feature that I think has been done much better on the Xbox360.

  • Hey also it’s annoying to leave my PS3 on for a 3 week vacation for remote play get we get like a F@H merge with Remote Play so it’s not totally worthless when it’s not being used?

  • Amazing, Sony is doing a great job pleasing us, the consumers, and people with the in-game xmb, calm it down, give these guys a break, they’ve got a lot of great stuff for us thats coming to the playstation 3.

  • IN-GAME XMB

    FIRMWARE 2.0

    CUSTOM SOUNDTRACKS

    FIRMWARE 2.1

  • @ Hitman_Legend

    why should we calm it down they ask for our feedback everytime and everytime a majority of people say they want ingame xmb and yet sony doesnt give it us or even let us whats going on about it.

  • @186

    Clearly, Eric and his team is definitely working very hard to give us some very compelling features on PS3. However, in-game XMB is the 1 feature I’d want to have ahead of any of the updates we’ve receieved so far. Eric said to Gametrailers they’re working on in-game XMB, and hopefully it’s coming soon, but whether you like it or not, the community will continue complaining till we get in-game XMB. PSN team! Please atleast talk about when we will be getting it. Not a specific date, but a time line like September 07.

  • This is great!

  • Thanks guys! Sounds like another great FW update. :-)

  • I WISH THEY COULD ADD MORE VIDEO CODECS LIKE WMV AND AVI AND ALSO HAVE CUSTOM SOUNDTRACKS TO LISTEN 2 UR OWN MUSIC WHILE PLAYING GAMES. THAT WOULD BE AWESOME. CMON SONY I KNOW U CAN DO IT!

  • I was praying/wishing to god every night that these features would one day show up on the XMB. Guess what they did i love this update sony. Updateing very month is way better than updating once a year like microsoft. Dam right i love this update!!!!

  • Thank you! I finally get [some] of my wishes granted: Wallpaper and Disc Ejection without touching the system.

  • Nice update sony!!

    Next, custom folder support.

    and as various people from South America have said here. please support international credit cards!!! Im from Colombia.

    I want to play SoTN and Stardust HD!!

  • iPod/iphone support please?

  • To anyone complaining about getting other features that aren’t in game XMB…. you should remember that if you’ve got a huge task to undertake, throwing more people at it doesn’t make it go faster or better. Most times when it comes to a feature for software, it’s done by a single engineer.. so one engineer could be working on this as we speak. But it still takes a long time.

    So, the other engineers keep working too. And different things get finished at different times. They obviously know you want it, and they’re obviously trying to get it… but some things aren’t possible. And the moment they know one way or the other, they’ll let you know.

    Going on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on about it won’t make it come any faster.

  • Thats cool. now i need to find a cool background picture for my XMB.

  • Firmware v1.90 Details at

    […] PlayStation.Blog (FYI: Sony owned blog):[QUOTE]A quick update: we have a new firmware upgrade in the works for PS3, […]

  • For those of us with the current iteration of PSP, it would sure be nice to be able to play PSP games on our TVs through the PS3.

  • What’s with these random posts like #200? Why do they keep popping up?

Please enter your date of birth.

Date of birth fields