PS3 Firmware 2.0!
This is reportedly from Sony’s press-only website, which I am unable to verify, but it’s probably completely true. This feature list sounds pretty real.
UPDATE: I’ll emphasize that these are still rumor. Current rumor is that these features were posted on the password protected Sony press site, but were later pulled.
Users
- You can now password-protect user accounts.
Settings
- Dynamic Normalizer has been added as an option under Sound Settings.
- Energy Saver has been added as an option.
- Equalizer has been added as a feature under Music Settings.
- Full has been added as an option for DVD Wide Display under BD / DVD Settings.
- Photo Settings has been added as an option.
- PS / PS2 Settings has been added as an option.
- RSS Channel Settings has been added as an option.
- Sample Rate has been added to Audio CD Import under Music Settings.
- Screen Saver has been expanded under Display Settings.
- The method of selecting an output resolution has been changed in Video Output Settings under Display Settings.
- Theme Settings has been added as an option.
- Zero Unused Disk Space has been added as an option under System Settings > Format Utility.
Photo
- Additional slideshow effects have been added.
- Photo Effects have been added as a feature.
- Wallpaper feature has been added.
- Zoom has been added as a feature.
Music
- Additional visualization effects have been added.
- CD information can now be entered.
- Three-speed fast forward and fast reverse has been added as a feature.
Video
- Files can now be played sequentially.
- Three-speed fast forward and fast reverse has been added as a feature.
- You can now select Zoom under Screen Mode when playing video files saved on the hard disk or storage media.*.
Game
- Support for PLAYSTATION®3 format software titles has been expanded.
- XMB™ (XrossMediaBar) is now accessible during gameplay.
Network
- RSS Channel has been added as a feature.
Friends
- You can now have multiple chat sessions.
- You can now select an image to use as your Avatar from Photo.
Other
- Date and Time is now shown when the PS button is pressed.
- File sorting has been changed.
- Help has been added as a feature.
- Playability status with the PS3™ system has changed for some PlayStation® and PlayStation®2 format titles.
- Secure Delete has been added as an option.
- Some PLAYSTATION®Network features have been revised.
No word on release date, but this really sounds amazing!
Try now - 
May 13th, 2007 at 11:02 pm
Seems wierd that they would jump from 1.7 to 2, but this is a pretty big list. I’m guessing if this is real it’s targeted around Home’s launch.
multiple chat sessions
I’ve never ‘chatted’ on my PS3 yet so not sure. Sounds kinda like an IM system, since the only way I know now is voice, in game or messages on the buddy list.
PS / PS2 Settings has been added as an option
Sounds like they might be heading towards enhancements here.
The custom backgrounds should make people happy. Wish they would upconvert DVDs soon but I only buy BD now,
May 14th, 2007 at 12:12 am
Not that strange of a jump, just look at the PSP… 1.0 to 1.5 to 2.0 (ignoring the security patches^^).
And I dont think, this will “just arrive” with home. There is nothing screaming home here. I think, this update will hit pretty soon. Just look at how fast the PSP gets updated!
May 14th, 2007 at 12:40 am
Your probably right. I was just going off the last major jumps were around New years, and EU launch.
But since this is coming from a guy that gets advanced info on firmware it would be more likely this is the next upgrade. If it was too far off it wouldn’t be 2.0 he would be talking abotu but the next one.
Either way we will see soon.
XMB in game, unless you can now do custom soundtracks the only advantage I see here is adding buddies to your list.
May 14th, 2007 at 2:58 am
Guys, I’m a big fan of Sony’s PS (have both PS2 and PSP) but am holding on buying PS3 because it really does not look worth it to buy yet when so many basic features are not even there… this update sounds nice considering it brings a lot of stuff.. but then again, these features now brought are something which should have been there long time ago.
Really, considering its price (and lets be honest, all of you felt it on your wallets, for sure) I believe there are a lot more like me only waiting for a price drop… which I know won’t happen soon but what can we do?
May 14th, 2007 at 8:05 am
From what I understand, this information is NOT on the Sony press site. I’m still looking around for some more official confirmation…
May 14th, 2007 at 8:49 am
@Vitor
Huh?? … the PS3 has been out for 6 months, and you’re saying all these things “should’ve been in there a long time ago”. (??!)
Please understand that it actually takes time and ppl to work on these things and, thus, features get added in progressive updates. I think your mention of these features needed being there “a long time ago” is completely baseless and uninformed.
I paid $750 (Canadian) for mine, and no, I never felt it in my wallet. Honest. Then again, I’m a real gamer… I have just about every single gaming machine that has ever come out since the NES. I don’t yet have a Wii, but I plan to eventually (gf is pressuring me). I have an Xbox360 and PS3, and I assure you the Xbox is just sitting there. I’m almost afraid to turn it on now because of the horrendous reliability issues. Cause if mine ever breaks, I’m not replacing it…
As a sidenote… ppl keep knocking on the $600usd pricetag of the PS3, but never stop to think that the upcoming iPhone is also going to be $600usd… AND THAT THING JUST A FREAKING PHONE!!! Yet, people are still eager to get it, with no mention of its high price. At the end of the day, it’s just a phone for the… umm.. incredible *cough* price of $600. Wow, what an investment… *shrug*
May 14th, 2007 at 9:01 am
In-game XMB access!!! Oh yeah!
Custom Avatar will be useful for when i get a digital camera.
May 14th, 2007 at 9:04 am
That’s if it’s true of course.
May 14th, 2007 at 10:32 am
Henning, I read that too, but…
a) I read too, that it was on Sonys PR site, but was taken offline (blooper)
b) Leah was sort of the PSU PS3 update maintainer, so she/he has credibility
And to add… HachiRoku, the iPhone does not only cost you 600€, but it also forces to to a 2 yrs contract with a mobile sp, which I would not choose (based on what Heise posted more often than not). I would not say the PS3 is too expensive, I would say, the 360 is too cheap (the core pack is crap and the 360 has no built in means for HD viewing for an optical storage) in a way.
May 14th, 2007 at 10:44 am
May 14th, 2007 at 11:01 am
“These seem to be the days of totally unsubstantiated rumours (I’m referring to yesterday’s firmware v2 feature list, of course)”
Don’t beat around the bush, Henning
While my original post was clear that this was unconfirmed, I *did* suggest that this is likely to be true for a few reasons:
- The features sound very reasonable and are mostly obscure details that only actual product developers think about. The writing itself sounds very authentic.
- There is nothing very unusual or sensational. Most fake stories involve some controversy or focus on platform wars issues and not obscure enhancements.
- The original poster has some credibility.
Hey, I hate bogus rumors that get spun out of control by blog sites more than anyone. And I have a fairly good record (here and here) of calling out others who do so.
As always, time will tell how much truth there is to this.
May 14th, 2007 at 11:29 am
@Vitor
How were these things that should have been in at launch, when not a single one of them where promised by Sony before launch or listed as features back then. And most aren’t available on other systems. So these aren’t basic features.
Adding features being spun into a negative is getting annoying.
May 14th, 2007 at 11:43 am
Darrin, if you’re wrong at all, then I’m personally going to gather a mob, of the kind seen in The Simpons (with pitchforks etc), and hunt you down. Of course something less trivial will then occupy our thoughts and you will be left free while we go and throw stones at the local Krusty drive-thru…
May 14th, 2007 at 11:53 am
LOL,
Well thinking back to my theory that they save major updates on special occasions, Doesn’t Sony have Gamer’s day today?
May 14th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
LOL, Gary
May 14th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
Darrin: I’m not saying you’re wrong. Actually, I think that this rumour will prove to be true. I was just pointing out that it was a rumour, not fact (yet), and that I had another rumour to post…
May 14th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
Henning’s rumour turned out to be true so maybe it bodes well. It does look authentic so I’d be more surprised if it turns out to be false than if it is confirmed. Just need a date…
May 14th, 2007 at 3:37 pm
lol…garys mob is coming. This kind of reminds me of that huge secret list a few months ago. Keep the updates coming sony. I want Globel gaming, and to be able to change the stupid color of the cursor in the typing menu on my PS3. The blue color is hard to see, why cant it be white or some other color. The list is probably is close to true, cause the my PSP seems to get a big update every other month.
May 14th, 2007 at 5:11 pm
Henning is right, this is definitely NOT from the Sony press site. The only places I have seen tis reported was at a couple of less-than-stellar “news” sites- nothing from more credible sources such as Gamespot or IGN. Chalk this one up as rumor/ wishful thinking.
May 14th, 2007 at 6:01 pm
Hey PS3Blog,
When I first heard about this 2.0 Update on an N4G news article, when I showed my friend who is very obsessed with his PS3, he immediately contacted an insider he knew asking about it. He said it is in fact true and you should excpect it around MAY 29, 2007.
May 14th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
A tuesday? is that the day they’ve been releasing past updates?
May 14th, 2007 at 10:50 pm
Updates, normally come on Thursdays. PSN and Firmware
November 5th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
firmware updates come on tuesdays
November 5th, 2007 at 8:28 pm
oh yeah id= Cl2IMINAL i own skate