Firmware 1.90 Coming Soon

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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

  • I have a minor request. Make an option to give you the ability to disable autoplay of PS3 games when you initially insert them, just like on the PSP’s UMD drive.

  • @ 203

    theres already an option to disable autoplay in the settings tab.

  • @Lionus

    I agree. Also to be able to play games loaded on the PS3 even if they are PS1 games. I have a buttload of PS1 games that would be fun to play through remote play.

  • One of the top 3 requests. Why didn’t you put in all the top 3 requests.

    What going on is that Sony look at the top 10 most wanted and pick one from the list to add as the feature, so that there’s one feature in the update that people want and they throw in a bunch of useless features.

    Out of the 1.90 update, the custom feature is the only one that has a use.
    How many people use AVCHD to how many use DivX, avi?
    DivX and avi. codecs is in the top 3 request so Sony gives us AVCHD, WTF?
    Cheap ass dvd players can read divX and avi. files so whats Sony’s excuse?
    In-game XMB should have been there at launch but Sony delibretaly holds it back, so it has a future update that everyone is looking forward too.
    If Sony hadn’t bothered wasting their time on so many useless features and concertrated on features we really want, we would have had them already.
    Sony say they listenen to PS3 owners, thats bull. If its tru then we wouldn’t be seeing a 1,90 update but a bigger 2.0 update with in-game XMB, in-game music from HDD, better codecs support with DivX and avi.

    I think you guys shuold make DivX and Avi support your main priority for the next firmware, and soon.
    Also I hate the way I can’t listen to audio through optical and HDMI simultaneously, I could with optical, component and scart with PS2.

    i think Sony’s PSN is a step ahead of 360 Live in certain areas but far behind in others. The lack of content for one. I don’t think Sony will ever catch up to 360, 360 would have to stop supplying content and Sony would need to increase the content by 10 fold.
    And we need a new Web browser as the current sucks for browsing the web and you still get ‘not enough memory’ like with PSP, complete joke.

  • @203

    Settings>System settings

  • My #1 feature I would LOVE to have added would be visual improvements for PS1/PS2 games like Anti-Aliasing. Final Fantasy XII is atrocious, even on the PS2. With 7x cores running at 3.2 GHz and the RSX graphics, I can’t see why the PS3 can’t handle a little anti-aliasing of an older PS2 game. AA was the best reason for playing FF7 on the PC.

  • @207

    Thanks. I’ve never noticed a setting in there for it before, but I will look when I get home.

  • I have a 3000 dollars TV and a 600 dollars system. 1080p people. SONY you promised HD gaming. 720p is no longer HD. Forget ps1 and ps2, I want to upscale all my ps3 games to 1080p.

  • “Also I hate the way I can’t listen to audio through optical and HDMI simultaneously, I could with optical, component and scart with PS2.”

    How many people care about that feature? Your a hypocrite. You tell Sony to focus on big issues, not little ones, then you address a little one. Sony will obviously take care of these minor features in addition to larger features.

  • @213

    I was addressing that comment to comment to #202

  • @zefie (no# 50)

    i do have XMB you mongrel it is in game XMB access that i would like, also you dont need to be sorry because its not your fault. im not sure what i will have to complain about once in game XMB arrives… maybe i will complain about you trying to stick your tounge up eric lempels [DELETED] you [DELETED].

  • Nice Job Sony Thanks!!!

  • They would have been nice wallpapers if they hadn’t put Gamerader logo on them.

  • @blizzard182: As much as I’d like to have a local PSN Store where I can buy games I want to play, I don’t think we’ll get to see it in the near future considering Sony Argentina doesn’t care much to bring awareness on the Playstation platform, which is pretty sad actually because playstation sells much more than any other console system in our country. Btw, I found a way to buy stuff from the network using my credit card.

  • ZBamf whining isn’t helpful…. And you don’t speak for everyone so go drink some milk.

  • Love this new update but im still looking forward to 2.00 with

    in-game xmb
    custom soundtracks with playstation 1, 2, and 3 games!

  • “How many people care about that feature? Your a hypocrite. You tell Sony to focus on big issues, not little ones, then you address a little one. Sony will obviously take care of these minor features in addition to larger features.”

    Not really as this isn’t a feature but something that is broke and needs fixing.

  • How about auto identification of PS2 and PS1 discs? Maybe even a little pic from the game? Instead of the generic Playstation 1, Playstation 2 names in the bar?

  • The reason for no in-game XMB yet (If no one has already mentioned it), is that it currently locks up the game you are playing, it you hit the PS button.

    It does that in Home, sometimes only temporarily, but other times it will lock up the PS3. Once they get it working right in Home, I am sure they will bring it to all PS3 users. They don’t want us all complaining about the PS3 locking up.

    Looking forward to the update though. Sounds alright.

  • @JaySL

    If you are from Argentina add me please and tell me how did you do that. I want Tekken and Flow like..for yesterday.

    I was not taking about a PS Store Argentina but only to support our credit cards, maybe.

  • @215

    You should be banned from this Blog. We all want in-game XMB, it’s clear! Sony is working on it so give them some time! What’s the use of insulting somebody? It’s not going to improve the time it’s going to take before in-game XMB comes, so relax.

  • Where is the in-game xmb at…? thats all I really want/need. I’m tired of having to quit games just to reply to a msg my friend sent me…. c’mon Sony!

  • @eric
    sorry but can u tell me this i would like to get some stuff in the playstation store but can not as i do not have a credit card will sony be doing something like xbox were u can buy pionts

  • @blizzard182 is this your PSN name? I’ll add you when i get back home from the office and let you know how I did it and yes I’m from Argentina also.

  • “ZBamf whining isn’t helpful…. And you don’t speak for everyone so go drink some milk.”

    No ones opinions or request in here speaks for everyone, I’m aware of that.
    And I’m English so thats what we do when we’re not happy about something, we complain.

    This is why we’re not getting what we want becasue there are not enough complainers. We’ll continue to get 90% of useless features in every update.

  • @JaySL

    And to add more of what I just said…

    You are right, PS3 is the king here. 360 are not selling well right now and there are not Wii.

  • @223 MCWHAMMER

    Is that really a bad thing? I mean.. having the game pause when you hit the PS button? Or do you mean something else.

  • A lot want the in-game XMB access and I would like the PS3 entirely region free when it comes to games.

    PS and PS2 games should be playable on any PS3 just like the PS3 games are.

  • @JaySL

    Yep, thats my PSN name. And I am at the office too so there is no problem.

    Thanks!

  • This is awesome! Thanks Sony, you’re the best/

    I cant wait to use my own custom background on my PS3. Will be awesome!

    One thing that i would like to see in the new Firmware update, is In-game XMB accoess. Its so,ething that would be really useful, so that we can message people in the middle of the ganes. Its so annoying when one of your friends messages you in-game and you have to quit it to message them back.

    Talking of friends, the friends list maximum needs to be increased. Is it just me that finds 40 a pathetic number? Ive filled up my friends list…

  • @215, whats your beef, i wasnt even talking to you so [DELETED] off you prick.

  • I dont care about the whole “In-Game XMB” I’d just like to read my messages and play my own music. Xbox 1 had custom soundtracks, why can’t I listen to Guns n Roses while I play Motorstorm?

  • Very nice gentlemen, well played. I love firmware updates with the PS3, it’s seriously like birthday presents every time!

  • @ PSheddy “Is that really a bad thing? I mean.. having the game pause when you hit the PS button? Or do you mean something else.”

    No, I mean there is an intermittent problem where in Home, your avatar will not be able to move for like ten seconds after hitting up the XMB. But, 1/5 times, the whole PS3 freezes, causing you to have to reboot.

    I’m saying that, if they can’t get it right in Home yet, there is no way they could release it for general PS3 users yet in an update. I have Home, and I can see that they are using Home as a way to test out new firmware before it really hits everyone.

  • just crop the pictures isdf u dont want to see the logo

  • I am late for this blog but anyway @gregblog you are absolutely right. Sony needs to send some people undercover to some of these stores especially Gamestop in FL. The PS3 screens not only look terrible but most times they are off. While the xbox and wii are running. And we all know PS3 can be left way longer than them. For weeks. If you are going to have these companies sell the PS3 you have to make sure that they represent what the PS3 is all about properly. I stopped going to gamestop and a few other places because of how they treating PS3 stuff, terrible.

  • Aloha, Eric…

    Thanks for the “heads-up”, much appreciated.

    The *Remote: Eject-Disc* firmware add is my absolute favorite as this will eliminate any unnecessary finger printing on my new 60GB baby!

    Keep up the great work…..peace.
    [NBCraftsman]

  • I like to know when this 1.90 firmware available to download???? i am excited please make it available very soon at lease this will be a temporary sub for the lack of games.

  • @blizzard182: Okay, I’ll add you when I get home then. Take care and talk to you later. :)

  • Hey Thanks for the details about the new firmware 1.90. Well, those are my most wanted feature for future update or the news adds on the firmware 1.90:

    High priority:
    1- In-game XMB Access.
    2- Music Select (Custom Soundtracks ^^ ) for my games.
    3- An upgrade for Adobe Flash on the Internet Web Browser.

    Normal Priority:
    1- AVI Support and Divx & Xvid Codec Support.
    2- A equalizer for the music player.

  • Implementing XviD codec is something Sony has to do. Not DivX because it’s not “open sorce”.

    Didn’t Sony said PS3 is also a multimedia platform ?

    This update is quite good by the way, keep up.

  • Please allow for the next update :

    In Game XMB
    In Game music selection

    Thanks so much. Keep rocking with these updates.

  • @To everyone

    So sorry to say what I am going to say…

    Interview with David Reeves:
    http://threespeech.com/blog/?p=506

    Check this…

    —————————-
    Q: So why didn’t we get a PS3 price-cut in the UK?

    David Reeves: If you’re a consumer — and we introduced the PS3 in March for £425 or 599 Euros – let’s say you bought one at the end of April and have been using it, playing Resistance: Fall of Man and MotorStorm. We’ve only been on the market for three and a bit months. Our thought process was: “Wait a minute – we’re actually not doing too badly – we’re not selling as well as Wii or DS – but seasonality-wise, compared to, say, PS2 at the same time we launched it in 2001, we’re actually doing quite well on a regional level”. It’s exactly the target that we sought. July is not really a gamers’ month unless you get a big, big title. So we thought if we reduced the price, we’d annoy a lot of people. We did think about it, but we also felt that it wasn’t doing that badly. In the US, they’ve been going for more than six months, so they took the decision that going down in price was a better thing to do than a value pack.

    ————————————–

    So sorry for this but…

    This has to be THE dumbest answer I have ever read.

    Less expensive = people happy.

    Alright, I had to take that out of my chest..moving on…

  • @aaquib, keep your nose out you prick, wasnt even talking to your fat [DELETED].

  • In game music selection would draw memory. I don’t think that’s such a good idea.

    I heard that 64MB of RAM was directly allocated constantly to run the OS, is it true?

    If so, it’s way to much ! That would mean PS3 has only less than 200MB of RAM to run games.

  • Good job Sony….its good to see the Playstation 3 taking more form on the gaming industry…still lacking in certain departments but its still the better console…and has so much ahead of it.

    I’m looking forward to seeing the XMB in game which will allow us to play music, access chats etc etc….but as most of us know….that will really take its toll on the processor….but the ps3 is powerful enough :P….so thats my main priority.

    A lot of my friends say why do you like the PS3 so much…and its a simple answer….its better then the rest….so keep going Sony! :D

  • well I like that we’re finally having
    the custom background
    plus the Eject Disc option is cool!
    but we all want it’s the In-Game XMB
    at least to be able to play our
    own music while playing our games!
    So that’s my suggestion and as I see
    everyone’s suggesting the same
    hope Sony listens to us and makes
    it true.

  • IN GAME XMB IS WHAT WE NEED!

  • true upscaler to 720p and 1080p ratio for ps1/ps2 games also in-game XMB would be nice and coustom soundtracks. but other then that great job on 1.90

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