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.
Umm is that it?
Other than moving the clock, the update has no request features such as cross game voice chat or party systems.
The update seems more about pimping PlayStation Store content, than about adding new features.
Other than the status indicator (which looks particularly bland compared to the rest of the XMB), there’s nothing particularly useful in 3.0. It’s all eye candy or advertising.
I really hope there’s more stuff in it than what you are announcing.
Hope i can disable that ticker!!!!
By the way, you may have jumped the gun on this one- “just announced at Gamecom” but, um, I don’t think it has been yet… Oops. =P
PSN Outdid themselves again
An avatar update? Hallelujah. We’ve only talked about this 2 times in the last 2 years on the blog.
finally 3.00 will come out this week. tonight hopefully. nice features.
3.00 sucks
Awesome!
Very nice update
I think Sony is trying to sabotage themselves when it comes to online gaming. Nothing else makes sense. How in the heck can they not even talk about Cross Game Chat when they add things like a chat room? They are intentionally doing this because anyone with a brain and plays online games knows that Cross Game Chat is all that Sony needs to compete with Xbox live.
honestly whats so great about 3.00? made my ps3 look prettier whooppdeee doo!!!!
Very impressive, Sony. Can’t wait to make the update! :)
I LOVE YOU ERIC
Not sure why this is getting the label 3.0. Not a big change, just a bunch of cosmetic stuff.
3.01 coming soon? I hope it does not have alot of bugs.
Great work guys!
Honestly, this is what i’ve been wanting all along. Not this silly “Cross-game chat” rubbish.
This is the real deal, though cross-game chat would be nice to shut everyone up with ;)
Is that it? Firmware 3.00 is a aesthetic change?
Wooo!!! Lets go Sony!! Things are getting better though we haven’t got the best out of the PS3 but I’m not the one to complain. I’m patiently waiting for the best of the best and happy with wat was just announced!
Awesome update, when you said redesign I was worried it would be a drastic change. I like what’s being added oh I also heard that the battery icon is moved thank god since it over lapped the time.
Finally!
Its just Sony trying to get us to go to the Store more often. I disabled infor bar cos it slowed down my internet connection. I dont want another one! Pure commercial update-not aimed at gamers who want ingame cross chat
Very Lame.
Take out the extra store icons in the video and game list section. Thats not needed and it just adds extra crap to be in our way.
I’m quite upset that your adding more of the same icons to more lists, its only more scroll but I don’t care its NOT NEEDED!!
And to top it off this update does nothing of any real interest to improve the online community.
When are we going to get more Avatars? Sackboy avatar anyone? :)
dont get me wrong this update is REALLY great but for a 3.0 update… i as expecting more
new avatars
*wipe my tears*
AWESOME Update… Dynamic Themes FTW. Is it free?
Cross game voice chat man :[
This update owns! But seriously. …come on.
Still nothing serious :(
we need cross game voice chat but this is good
Sweet :)
Bravo :))
@SpiritThief Go back to sticking your head up Microsoft’s ass.
Niice!! I loved the new “What’s new” option and the dynamic xmb bar. Keep up the good work! And give us some news on the ps3 slim please :)
FINALLY TY.
nice, but still need HOME voice chat.
So basically this doesn’t add in anything that we wanted?
No new avatars? (Over 1000 kudos should have made this instant)
No cross game chat?
No PS2 emulation?
Bah. If none of those, I’d rather have my old 2.whatever firmware.
Looks great!.. except premium avatars sounds like xbox live gamer pics.. why would anyone pay for that? give us the ability to upload our own!
very nice can’t wait!
Sony-listen to your customers…in game cross chat is what we want. Not moving clocks! 3.00 is supposed to be a special update-theres nothing special in this for gamers.
Looks amazing! All we need now is cross game/ ingame chat!
Was that gravity crash I saw there?
where the cross chat
Cross Game Voice Chat?
This is all very nice Sony but seriously how is this a 3.00 update?
It’s a step in the right direction but 3.00 SHOULD have had things like:
-Cross game VOICE chat (your not adding this? seriously?)
-Party Features
-PS2 BC
-Faster in-game XMB
-Internet music streaming options
OMFG SO AWESOME!!! That LBP 24/7 theme is incredible. These new types of Themes are able to be created by regular users, too, correct?
Very cool! I just hope it drops this week.
Amazing Firmware update Sony!
Very well done. Exactly what we needed :)
You said “Early look at Firmware 3.0”
Will there be more features added?
Liked cross-game chat?
Looking too Firmware 3.0
You run a real tight ship guys, Great work!
We love you!
Give us a way to sort and categorize the Download list! It’s ridiculous scrolling through all the add-ons and demos.
I love everything you’ve done. Been wanting animated thieves…my only question is can users create them or only developers?