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.
When can we look forward to this update dropping. Thank you.
I think everyone (including myself) just wants Cross-game chat.
I admit that these features are things that I always wanted. I wanted the XMB to be updated and believe it or not I wanted dynamic themes. We’ve seen them on hacked PSP’s so its kind of great to see it officially out.
Cross-game Chat or a party system alone would get people more excited than all these features you announced.
How about actual characters for PSN avatars? for example an actual Sackboy as an avatar… not a picture of him
where the hell is voice chat on there?
Where is the INGAME-VOICE-CHAT?
cool…but im not too thrilled.
what happened to ps2 backwards compatibility??
Final Fantasy XIII, XIV, and Versus themes please!
Sounds like an update to get you guys more money.
Adding PS Store under Game and Video and opening up to “What’s New”? That’s so annoying!
I wish you would work on more social aspects rather than trying to sell things.
What a nice cosmetic update!
Loving everything about it!
People need to stop crying about voice chat lol it’s not “needed” it’s just nice to have. All these cosmetic updates make the PS3 look very professional.
Well… im sold im getting ps3 slim and selling my 20 gig. BTW LBP theme looks awsome :D
GOOOOOOOOOD but when its the release date?:O
come on no BC???? that sucks!
Listen, you guys need to stop asking for cross game chat. It’s obvious that they either cant do it or they wont.
It’s almost 3 years since launch and we still don’t have a unified PSN. Frankly, I got tired of asking for what’s obvious. I’m so sick of each game having their own online system. It’s a pain in the butt every time my friends and I get a new game.
Hi,
I love everything, but I heard something about friends display and trophies, is that true?
all this excitment, and my ps3 just died….
makes me want to cry.
Nice update, certainly much better than the “text chat” update from a few months back.
I’m still however waiting for vid store in Canada and CROSS-GAME PRIVATE CHAT!
PS2 Backwards Compatibility
+
Cross Game Chat =
Epic Win.
Some of you people still don’t get it do you? Take this update as confirmation that you will NEVER be getting cross game voice chat. Your first clue should have been when they put in that lame chat room feature a few updates ago. Now they are giving you more hints by using up even more precious (very limited) system ram by adding animations to the XMB. Which means it is not possible for the PS3 to run cross game voice chat because the system is so limited on internal ram.
Mark my words! Cross game voice chat will never be coming to the PS3 and this update is more proof of that coming from Sony since they wont come out and say it.
Very nice update, it’s good to see that the XMB visual will not be fully changed, but the option to use animated themes is awesome. Hope they will be free, through.
Now the ultimate update will be the support for cross game voice chat. Make it happen, Sony.
No Cross game chat :(
I want my home avatar on the xmb
and home trophy support
Sony…screw you. :)
The revisions look slick, I await the update. Here’s hoping we see some more features to come.
Possibly background installations?
ok only word i can said AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I like the changes to the backgrounds. However, I still want the backwards compatibility. I mean what’s the point of having the ability to save PS1 and PS2 memory cards into the system when you can only play PS1. Get the PS2 compatibility.
Can we please get some official pictures of the PS3 Slim?
all you people that want BC are the ones that are asking for the price drop lmao, you get no BC for you.
no cross game chat?! FAIL the one thing missing and u dont give it to us >_>
Nice. When does this go live? Also please allow me to change my name soon. Ill pay i don’t care. This name sucks. Also i agree with Maverick, cross game voice chat would be nice.
Where’s 720p to 1080p upscaling?!?
Nice!
Let use use our own custom avatars pls!!!
PS3 SLIM 299 DOLLARS CONFIRMED FIRST WEEK OF SEPTEMBER AND ALL OTHER PS3 MODELS ARE 299 ALSO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!
now when they say soon do they mean tonight at 12?
You heard it from me first, FW 3.0 bricked my ps3 already, lmao!
Awesome news.. I am very pleased and excited with this new firmeware news.
Thank you very much, can’t wait for the release.
Thanks Eric! I like the features and the trophy enhancements.
Still have one request, since you are now able to track last games played in the XMB. You should look into being able to get that data uploaded into PSN and expand the new gamertag trophy card to have a version that can display the last few games played! Very much like other trophy cards display the last few trophies earned. ANother “gamercard” system currently tracks last games. But it would be a nifty idea not only for gamers to show off their games. But this could translate into more word-of-mouth sales of PS3 games :)
WTF, ERIC! Y??!! GIVE US WUT WE WANT AND NOT WUT U WANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
will it be out before the ps4 comes out?
INGAME VOICE CHAT
Great update guys, awesome!!! :D
Wounderful they fixed the battery icon
I really like this update! I don’t mean to sound ungrateful but is there anything else that’s coming in 3.0?
Any surprises, Eric?
Thanks for the useless video store icon to clutter my XMB.
I appreciate that.
This is a great update Sony! One of these every quarter would be perfect, but we NEED cross game chat!!!!!!!!!!! It’s a MUST at this point!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please!
@syk1288 ps3 was already close to xbox360 in terms of sale when it was more $ now that its cheaper it just might blow xobx away
I’m waiting for firmware 3.60 where it looks just like the Xbox 360 NXE. Seems like the last few updates are just trying to get closer and closer to the xbox look, but still falling short on the actual functionality. In game voice chat anyone?
Awesome update…. but… no BC or Universal Game Chat, firmware 3.20?
Its amazing, you sit there and waste all your damn time with pointless XMB upgrades, and focus your energy on the EU video store…but you won’t even make a GOD DAMNED ****ING PEEP about the video store in Canada? Canada should ban all Sony products for sheer moronic management. This country is obviously not good enough for you and your video store people, might as well leave and never come back.
Thanks Eric….looks really nice.
Keep up the good work !