Comments on: 1.60 Includes Bluetooth Keyboard and Mouse Support!

By: Henning

Henning — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 19:28:54 +0000

I’m pleased to see that background downloading does work while in game.

By: Henning

Henning — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 12:39:47 +0000

If that update is correct, that’s quite something!

By: Segitz

Segitz — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 02:18:04 +0000

Originally Posted by IGN
March 20, 2007 – Yesterday we brought you news from Japan of what functionality the upcoming 1.60 firmware update would add to the PlayStation 3, but today’s US press release shed light on a few more details. In addition to Remote Play support for 20GB models, an on-screen QWERTY keyboard and a zoom function for the web browser, the ability to run Folding@Home and basic background downloading, there will be a handful of other features included.

A disc auto-start option will allow users to choose whether they want their PS3 to automatically play a disc when it’s inserted or the machine is turned on. Support for rewriteable Blu-ray discs has been added, as well as the ability to use Bluetooth keyboards and mice.

Most of all though, the US press release shed more details on the all-important background downloading feature for the PlayStation Store. Users will be able to queue up to six downloads at one time, which coincidentally matches the Xbox 360′s maximum queue. Progress of these downloads can be followed under a new Download Management section that will reside under the Cross Media Bar’s Network icon. You will be able to watch video, view images, listen to music and browse the web at the same time.

UPDATE: We’ve received word from Sony that you will indeed be able to play games while downloading content in the background. Similar to how downloads on the Xbox 360 works, you’ll be able to play games offline while downloads work in the background, and if you hop online your queue will simply pause until you disconnect.

By: Tosh Hatch

Tosh Hatch — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 19:35:31 +0000

Another option of FW 1.60 A disc auto-start option will allow users to choose whether they want their PS3 to automatically play a disc when it's inserted or the machine is turned on. Source

By: Henning

Henning — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 18:06:16 +0000

Well, actually, the press release just says that the downloads can be queued while you’re playing a game. I don’t think you’ll actually be able to download.

The problem is that downloading takes away too many system resources. In theory, you should be able to download at least while you’re in a game’s menu, but the PS3 has no API for the game to tell the PS3 system software when it’s in the menu versus when it’s doing more resource intensive stuff. Presumably Sony will be providing developers with this so that in the future downloading while you’re in the menu screens will work. This is similar to how the 360 does it – downloading pauses while you’re online.

By: Pc

Pc — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 17:30:57 +0000

Yes, you can play games while your downloading, but just like on the 360 (most likely), you won’t be able to download content while playing a game online. That’s just my guess, but it makes perfect sense.
BTW…This news is awesome because i was going to be mad if you couldn’t download content while playing a game.

By: bunnyhero

bunnyhero — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 17:04:16 +0000

that is awesome news!

By: Segitz

Segitz — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 14:18:49 +0000

Jup, threespeech also said this here

http://threespeech.com/blog/?p=346

This is good news..

So Henning, not so bad the 1.6 FW update, isnt it