# Background Downloading - You now have the option to set the PS3 to turn off automatically after a background download or installation of content has completed. This option is available when you turn off the system from the button under [Users] while content is being downloaded or installed.
# In-game Screenshots - this tool will allow everyone to capture, share and in other words, immortalize their favorite gameplay moments. This will be supported on a game by game basis. Please check back to find out which games will support this feature.

...to bad not all games support the screenshot feature

Decent update. We're getting there.

This update shoudl be available by the end of the day so that people who purchase the headset/ Socom bundle with headset will beable to use it from the get go.

Consider me impressed.

# Friend status – Offline friends on your Friends list will have information below their avatars that will indicate how long it has been since they were last online.

I wish there was a way to show you being offline when you are actually online, something like MSN or on the 360.

I love all of the friend list/online updates like see how long someone's been offline!

Background DL is sweet! When I DL qore i usually do it overnight but I hate leaving my PS3 on for 10 hours for no reason. Now its fixed yay!

The update will probably be tuesday since that whe SOCOM releases

But Flash version still needs updating on PS3 browser. Also background downloading onto external hard drive would be nice. And make & rename folders.

Nice one SONY!!! ;-P
This + WipeOut:HD + LBP + HOME + Resistance 2 + MotorStorm 2 = ;-P
PS3 is the BEST Console in the WORLD!!!;)

This is quite a surprise of an update. I didn't think that it would have that many features. But I do agree that the flash needs worked on in the browser.

Though what would really be sweet is if Sony got Firefox to make the one and only firefox browser for the PS3. But I can't only dream.

But this is a really needed and exciting update.

Two features Wanted:

1) PS2 Games Retro Compatibility

2) Video and Voice Chat in Game

Coming Soon whit Home?

Cool stuff. Keep it up.

I like the screenshot option. I wonder what the first games to support it will be?

The PS3 just keeps getting better and better. I thought the revised account management statement looks pretty interesting. The power save, background download, and the screenshot feature sound cool. Can't wait to try it out.

AWESOME!!!!

Didn't know this update would have so many features, can't wait to try them out.

PS3 is slowly but surely evolving into something special. And fair play to Sony for catching up to and challenging Live so quickly considering the huge head start xbox and 360 had. Can't wait for this update. :)

i would love to see a firmware update on the PS3 where i can video chat with people while playing a game and then wave towards the playstation eye to be able to move the chat window to a different side of the screen.

can someone please "let our powers combine" and bubble me up, i'm non partisan cause i have all system so i'll take all bubbles.

have a nice day.

The support for the Bluetooth Headset will be of particular interest to all of you SOCOM fans. With the “Proximity Chat” feature, SOCOM: Confrontation gameplay is intensified as it allows you to experience high-quality voice playback in full surround sound. Whether the action is near or far, Proximity Chat clearly matches distance to sound effects and voiceovers within the game, putting you in the heart of the action.

x_X melts

A bit off topic here
But i am wondering why i have been stuck on 6 bubbles since i registered here =\
Edit: Thought i'd say, this update looks welcoming

o my god sony come on!

They keep including updates without the basic needs everyone keeps asking for.
What is going on how long will I have to wait before I can cross game invite / cross game chat and send a voice message to someone.
Starting to get very impatient waiting for this stuff, almost 2 years out now so no excuse!!

Who cares about PSP and connection to PS3. We want voice chat and game invites.

Plus a loads of more codecs supported. i.e sort out divx so it plays all divx movies not just some. Also let us play MKV files natively

PS3 all day everyday!

Fianly, some good features....
I also wonder what's new for PSP

voice chat is not that big of a deal, i'm referring to be able to voice chat with people on your fake friends list while playing a game. its sony my friends, the future is sony, playing sony PS3 is playing beyond your ordinary light and sound dead boxes. be greatful you have a company that looks beyond what a system is suppose to do normally and give you a device that offers so much more. playing on the PS3 is like using a Lamborghini reventon to deliver mail if you're a mailman. you can use a regular slow mail truck to stop on streets and deliver the mail regularly, or you can use a Lamborghini reventon to deliver the mail in style, cruising down the street, stop at a house and lift up those scissor door, you're the only one in the car but you lift both doors up.

my point is this, everything you do on the ps3 is glorious, the ps3 makes you feel like you have special powers when you turn it on from the system, from the way you put your finger over the non-existent button to turn the system on, thats awesome, merlin has nothing on your magic. the ps3 does so much and i hate when people talk about all the features ps3 have as being a negative. i hate people saying sony forced blu ray onto people, how dumb is that argument,more features are awesome. its like condoms, you can use it as protection from getting aids and colon cancer, but you can also use it to make balloon animals at kids birthday party and in water balloon fights. i love more features, and i also love that my ps3 is water proof.

ps. the talon stands for Talented.

Wow, great PS3 update. Thank you Sony-san

*jaw drops*

That's incredibly awesome.
The controller thing is especially useful.

"In Game Screenshots"

Is what I'm most excited about. Always wanted to show off those perfect head shots to my friends :D

veryy niceee i likes.

Does anyone know because I need the screengrab by Friday for reasons undisclosed...

I'm especially excited that Live has had most of these features for THE LAST 3 YEARS, while i've been forced to suffer with Playstation 3 beta.

Am I lying? NO.
-Controller turn off when Idle? Live had this 3 years ago.
-How Long your friends been offline? Live had this in 2005... 3 years
-System turn off when done d/l? Enable during 2006 update.. 2 years
-Wireless headset showing status? Enabled in 2006... 2 years

Cross game invites and voice chat 3 years ago. Damn Sony

I love my ps3 but I just wanna be able to talk to my friends while online no matter what game we're playing... I'm tired of my friends not having skype

Edit: Ok, You guys disagreed with me.. Can anyone tell me which one of the above facts are incorrect? Plz someone tell me.. anybody

Edit Edit:

@ below me... check out all the ps3 spammers in this 360 article

http://www.n4g.com/gaming/N...

kinda ironic isn't it...

Nice to see there touching on the friends list slightly.

Why are they holding back cross game chat and game invites via xmb. They could do with tweaking the ingame messaging system, its slow.

Such a pain in the arse to meet with friends depending on the game. Fifa is the worst to try and meet with friends, or though the devs had ago at it, its still crap.

keep waiting then dude

I like some of the additions. although this isnt a megaton update I think that it is needed.

Great updates!

cool update but we want also in-game recording video ...

Wow. Screenshots in game. That's pretty big for a console. I wonder what's next...

Probably most excited about the Video Skip function brought over from PSP. Works so smoothly.

Bit off topic but what's the release date for SOCOM in the US?

.

in-game screenshot? automatic turn-off after a time of inactivity?

I LOVE U SONY!

Especially for the in-game screenshot.

PSP update is substandard. PSN access is great ,but is that all? IS there nothing more? I have no inclination as of yet to even use the store on my psp. Why not add some .wmv and .avi playback to make it a real killer.

PS3 one is nice. I especially like that the Account Management has been redesigned... hopefully to a smoother interface.

Also I dont like how the screen capture is set by game.. how can the ps3 not just do it regardless of what is happening on the screen?

That's officially my last request finally being met there. I've been longing for the ability to continuously play a video folder, without having to turn the controller back on every 20 minutes when having a marathon. The auto-turning the controller off is nice to see too, although the controller does a great job of holding its charge anyways, despite falling asleep and waking up with it still on :S.

That's it I guess. I'm done; I can't think of anything I need them to do except keep releasing great games.

Oh, wait!! What ever happened to the rumors the system would be getting Automatic Photo Pop-Up in an update? Hop on it Sony!

jk :P

would love to be able to record direct to my hdd during play

i could use that sleep timer

nothing wrong with free upgrades even if the 360 fans think we should pay for such things because they do

I could of used that the other day, I was actually looking for it. I ended up going to sleep with the PS3 on.

so no cross game chat, and music playback is still embarassingly poor when playing around with the XMB and unsupported by most games. Don't get me wrong, i like my ps3 and the games, its just ridiculous that the 360 has had these features for so long surely sony could do their own version. Plus the fact that the ps3 is more powerful, seems silly such simple things are unavailable to the greater (PS3) but exist on the lesser (360).

cant wait for this features

the video playing in sequence is what i'm been waiting for lol

I dont' think the timer is actually a timer like we're thinking, guys. I think it is an inactive timer and that's it. Say you're watching a blu-ray or something; you fall asleep. It loops back to the main menue that has anactive VOD file running so it doesn't burn your screen. All DVD's and Blu-ray have them. This would make your Ps3 seem active and therfor trump the inactive timer you've set.

I hope not, but that sounds about like what's going down here. I'd like to be wrong, and maybe someone knows more about it than me. What do you all think?

still no voice chat anytime, custom soundtrack with any game, which are the 2 main features that I want. The only 2 pretty much.

Things I'd still like to see:

Cross Game Chat
Voice mail
Power to USB even when PS3 is off (to charge controllers) <---can you do this through FW?
Indicator to tell if I'm watching Blu ray or listening to music.

There are some others I'm sure but these are high on my list.

xD YEAH!

Wonder what its down to now with the latest Firmware update... The less the better for future games! Features are nice but it's the games that matter the most! So the less resources the OS uses the better for future games.

cant wait. i'm especially interested in the scene selection and screen grab. Of course as a socom fan with the game and headset bundle on pre-order the headset update is great news.

----------------------------- -------

side note stupid F'n open zone.. how'd i F'n get here? shouldn't we get an email/pm about what we did to end up here?

Actually you can currently take screenshots in 1 game i know. I got it from the Japanese store, and it has two cats discussing news. It's free and it has trophies. Thats why i got it.

Bloody great update! Screen grabs, automatic switch off after you've finished downloading/installing, advanced friends options, it's all great useful features.

Cheers, Sony.

Do games need to be patched for screenshots?

Great ps3 update!

That is what I love on Sony: Always working to raise the level of quality above competitors on every piece of hardware they make.

I think Sony is doing better than what I expected in terms of firmware updates... many of those features this update includes already exist on xbox live... but I think Sony deserves some credit with trying very hard to include them on the PS3 in such short time...

I think the most important feature should be cross game voice chat, group chat.... I think that's xbox live major advantage...
believe it or not... I really hope sony pull it off.. specially free... xbox live new set of updates (including party system) is thanks to sony's big efforts...

a couple of things needed:

updated flash
cross game chat
ability to upload you own gamer pic
appear offline when online
in game xmb smoothed out

the playstation will literally be perfect...

i need bubbles ps3 pws all

1.but now i really just wish sony would add a better flash for the browser

2.more cities, countries, states ect on life with playstation, heck right now life with playstation is useless to me since i happen to live in Boston, however it is a good thing they got going with this, but can use an update as well.

also small live stream video feeds, for the news, also a time/date, and a 1 day forecast high-lighten on each of these cities countries and so forth, finally but not least the ability to zoom on the web base news. that will make it better in my opinion.

3. cross chat, this just connects more people easier than texting.

4. voice/video mailing system, this is crucial.

5. trophy system enhancement- like uncharted with its treasure system, make every 5 or 10 levels count, labels should be given to gamers to identify how good or hardcore they are.

example level 10 could be called something like "HUNTER" as in for trophy hunter, or level 50 general level 60 "LEGENDARY" and it goes on and on.

i think something like a "GRANDMASTER" would be like level 100 and that's were it stops as far as the names/titles goes than by these ranking names certain individuals will have certain privileges like maybe discounts on add-ons, or discounts on everything else ect from
the store or free things from home for home.

these ranking names would than be labeled underneath the gamers tag. this will push more and more people to trophy hunt. and in return buy more ps3 games.

6. easier way to send to all messages, whether that's video/voice or yes even text.

7. fix the time/battery collision scenario, that has to be address asap.

8. in-music playback and messaging during store browsing, hey doesn't make much sense not to include this feature since you can already do these things while using the browser why not the store right?

9. automatic installations of what you download -options.

10. ability to edit and label your uploaded music and video content/ this can prove useful. like me i sometimes upload burned music so...yeah that needs to be added.

11. than simply bring this trophies system to the psp, keep it under the same account only the trophies you get on psps games will simply be added to your current ps3 trophy collection vice verse that's all.

not to flame or anything after all the above gets integrated than ill say xbox live should be free, until than well? Sony's got a good thing going.

also i think Nintendo should really start taking this whole online thing more seriously games like Mario kart Pokemon and even smash bro could benefit in a huge way with the proper service behind it.

disclaimer: this upcoming update is pretty decent and it shows Sony's commitment to taking the necessary steps towards improving an already great service, i just want to say thank you Sony a great entertainment system of a console (60gb model ps3)and a free service with on-going improvements. thank you.

X. anything else guys? please let me know.

Copy saved games into another PS3 system.
I'm getting another PS3 so that I can give my current PS3 to my brother. But, I'm having second thoughts of buying another one for myself 'cause I put so much time and effort towards my games and I don't want to start all over again! ='[

..I might just end up buying my brother a new, polished PS3.

so when is this coming out if anyone knows

omg this upcoming update is just awesome
many handy features that are very useful

The in-game screen shots and friend's status is available on the XBOX 360 so that one isn't new in the industry.

What I really wanted was custom organizing of the cross media bar (XMB) for games and videos. Like for example having all my demos collapse behind one demo, or episodic content like SIREN: Blood Curse episode collapse behind episode one (12 eposides). The reason for this will be that it won't look as busy with everything opened. As of now you can't only collapse the whole thing or organize them according to order.

I love you Sony. Thank you for the added features for FREE...once again.

Still no in-game voice chat with friends and still no cross game invites.

PSN is still light years behind XBL. No wonder it's free. It's almost impossible to coordinate a game with a bunch of friends online and THEN chat with all of them -ONLY- (I don't want to hear pre-pubescent boys nor talk to them).

I don't own a 360. I've only been advocating Sony but I'm getting tired of the waiting game. As much as Microsoft sucks ass for their business practices, Sony is almost as bad with the hyping and waiting game. 2.4 took forever to come and it's almost useless.

Sony, please charge for PSN and make it useful. I don't feel like buying a 360.

video messaging! that is much better than sending stupid text messages. damn, yo, it's pissing me off now.

Screen grabs are perfect for LBP ;)
I may just have to get SOCOM just for that update :D

Man Socom, LBP, K2 and R2 are gonna rock so hard!!

360 is falling behind.

Sony will win this console war!

Sony FTW!

looks like this update will be headed are Way by Wednesday . Thats when I'll be picking up Socom with Head set.. So I'm hoping they have Support when I get it.. PS3 getting good things with this update...

I love the idea of in game screen shots however it says it will be a game by game basis and That has me wondering if already released games will support it or not. I would love to see it in games like Soul Calibur 4 but I guess we will have to wait and see.

another useless update for a useless console.

M$'$ update system is much better. 1 or 2 SUBSTANTIAL updates a year which take maybe 8 seconds to download and install, tops. not this garbage u have to sit through for 40 minutes each time u turn the f*cking thing on.

hahahaha dumb droids

I don't care about useless trophies or even more useless in-game screenshots. I also don't like the new friend status idea. Who cares how long I've been offline? Are they trying to turn my XMB into myspace?(I also hate myspace)...Anyway, the rest of it is cool though.

great updates, but cross game chat, and cross game invites are heavily needed.

one function i like on my 360 is to leave the controller plugged in when the console is powered down,but charging of the controller continues, and then when charging is finished,the console completely shuts down.This way my controller gets charged, but i don't have to leave my 360 on - similar to the new background downloading feature, i guess.I really would like the same functionality on my PS3.This means i always have a fully charged controller before a session, but don't have to leave my PS3 switched on.I've only had my PS3 a few weeks, so if this feature exists, but i just haven't found it yet,then please, let me know.Plus, apologies if this has already been mentioned.

All I need now is Cross Game chat.

does it come out today

I want PS1 amd PS2 BC

what a nice birthday present :D

They always seem to do that. I would expect this at 12 tonight

Can someone please tell me when is it coming out ?

This will be nice. Just like when I get stuff for my 360 I like to put it into shutdown and then go on about my way. Doing this on the ps3 will be great. Throw in psp access to the store and I am becoming happier to own both a psp and ps3.

awesome updates for both. the sony systems are BEASTS

they should add Private chat to celebrate the new mic

Excelltnt update, second to 2.4 but still awesome!
-Auto shutdown controllers - Tick
-Trophies - Tick
-Custom soundtracks - tick... sorta, first party games-yes, which is what i mostly buy.
-Home -....nearly here i hope
-ingame XMB - tick!

heres some others that need to be addresed

-Controller charge/clock problem. try accessing the ingame XMB to look at the time.. nuff' said.

Ingame chat - not that important for me. but it would be pretty nice for single player games. but most of the time you need to concentrate on the game, unless its a 2nd playthru or a game like SSHD. for online games you already have headset support. unless you want to talk to people on another game. sure it would be deeply helpful but theres bigger needs..

-Browser update, possibly teaming up with Mozilla and making a cool PS3 browser, thats fast, and has addons with the abality to have flash player updates without FW updates.

-More codecs. self explantory

-PS3 converter. PS3 is pretty powerful. so why not have a converter for music, pics, but mainly videos. it sucks that the PS3 cant play some formats( can be fixed with suggestion above)but its really innoying when you switch them over to the PSP or ipod or something and it cannot play it. a converter would be amazingly handy. press /\ on a video, click convert, select the codecs/formats and then it will appear on the download list. so you can do whatever while its going. Hell it can even be browser based.

-Copy to specific folders...for the PSP its ok, but for devices like my phone its a bother. when i try sending music or vids to my phone they get copied to the :MUSIC folder, but my phone reads it from the :mobile/audio folder. it would be handy if you could choose the folder like when you download stuff from the net to external devices, it asks you which folder you want to save it in.

what im starting to see is people wanting the XBL experience on the PSN

well sadly there both two different things and you need not compare them.

theres no point to want the things you have on XBL when you have then. stop being spoiled little girls.

i enjoy the free PSN every day i only wish they made the mics mandatory for all games and have them working

This is fantastic + theres FLASH 9 support!

I just hope R2 and LBP has the functionality of making videos and uploading them to youtube, that would be insane:D

Here is a sneaky move from xbox
^There update is huge so they released new momory card for people who bought a poo xbox so xbox update isnt really free

Nice update, Sony.