Oh wow! I didn’t see this coming. I guess it will be easier for me to acquire screenshots in-game now. I still don’t like the headset options for the PS3. I like the old fashioned Live headset. Hanging that tiny thing off of my ear just never felt right. Here’s the full release from Sony:
SCEA to Deliver Unmatched Gaming and Entertainment Options at Home or
On-The-Go With Newest PLAYSTATION(R)3 and PSP(R) Features
Through Upcoming Firmware Updates, PS3 Gameplay Will Evolve with Advanced Voice Chat Features and In-game Screenshot Capture, While Downloading Games for PSP System Will Be Easier Than Ever with Direct Access to PlayStation(R)Store over Wi-Fi
FOSTER CITY, Calif., Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) today announced details of the next PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)) and PSP(R)(PlayStation(R)Portable) system software updates, adding new features to both platforms to benefit consumers. PS3 firmware update (v. 2.50) will include the implementation of advanced voice chat features for the PS3 Official Bluetooth(R) Headset, the ability to capture screenshots in-game with supporting titles in the future, and enhancements to make the PlayStation Trophy interface more intuitive. PSP firmware update (v. 5.00) will add direct access to PlayStation(R)Store on PSP, enabling consumers to browse the store and download games whenever they’re at a Wi-Fi hotspot. Both system software updates will be released this month.
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“These firmware updates keep both PS3 and PSP in lockstep with consumer expectations for gaming and entertainment, particularly the ability to download PSP games on-the-go, which is a functionality we know consumers can’t wait to get their hands on,” said Peter Dille, senior vice president of marketing and PlayStation(R)Network, SCEA. “As we approach our second anniversary with PLAYSTATION 3, it’s remarkable to look back at how much the system has evolved and improved, including its critical link to PSP that effectively extends these entertainment capabilities beyond the home.”
PLAYSTATION 3 Firmware 2.50 Update
Building upon the foundation set by previous firmware upgrades, the 2.50 system software update will refine existing features while also adding new functionality. The update will deliver exclusive options to support SCEA’s Official Bluetooth Headset, as previously announced, such as an on-screen indicator that shows volume, battery charge, and mute functions, as well as a High Quality (HQ) mode, which utilizes advanced wireless technologies and the Headset’s dual-microphone design to enable clear and wide-band wireless voice communication with PS3 system. HQ mode greatly improves the voice chat experience in multi-player titles such as SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation, which will be bundled with the Headset when it launches at retail this week.
To further strengthen the gameplay experience on PS3 system, the firmware update will add an in-game screenshot capture tool, laying the groundwork for developers to add capture and sharing options to their games and allowing players to immortalize their favorite gaming moments and share them with friends. Titles that support the feature are expected to be announced in the future.
The 2.50 update also will enhance the user interface for PlayStation Trophies. When players acquire a Trophy, the in-game notification will now include the specific Trophy icon created by the developer, while more intuitive options for comparing Trophies with friends have been added, including an icon to represent the Trophy level. The Trophy system will continue to expand through future firmware updates, catering to the PS3 community and the competitive nature of the more than 12 million registered PlayStation Network users worldwide.
Other new features delivered through PS3 firmware 2.50 will include:
— Video — A video scene search functionality will provide thumbnails to help you find a particular scene in a video more easily.
— Information Board — The Information Board will be able to include direct links to PlayStation Store, making it easier for PS3 owners to download content that they read about on the Information Board.
— Power save — PS3 owners will have the option to automatically shut-off their console or controllers after pre-selected periods of inactivity.
PSP Firmware 5.00 Update
As demonstrated at the Tokyo Game Show last week, the PSP firmware 5.00 update will add direct PlayStation Store access to the system, eliminating the need for PSP to be connected to a PC or PS3 to download content. PSP owners will be able to download games, demos, trailers, and other game-related content anytime and anywhere that their PSP system is connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi. This functionality delivers on the portable promise of PSP, making the device even more compelling for gaming and entertainment on-the-go.
Additional enhancements delivered through PSP firmware 5.00 will include:
— On-screen keyboard — A full-size, QWERTY on-screen keyboard will be added to make text entry during Web browsing easier and more convenient.
— Sleep timer — During music playback, a sleep timer will enable users to shut off their PSP system after a specified amount of time.
— Video-out — The PSP-2000’s video-out feature will be able to display classic PlayStation(R) format titles at the full-screen size of the TV that the PSP is connected to; the feature also will support interlace displays.
They need to start shipping headsets with EVERY console at no extra charge.
It’d hurt profit a little bit, but with Home coming and more games having chat (all should) they need to step up and bring online gaming with PSN to the next level.
sweeeeeeeeet
The 2.50 PS3 update looks nice.
The Power Save Option for the PS3 and PS3 controller will be a VERY useful feature for me because I always wished that the PS3 controller was able to turn off automatically after a certain period of inactivity without having to manually turn it off.
The In-Game Screenshot capture feature sound awesome too and it’s something I will defiantly use.
parapraxis you are 100% right about a free headset, last year when i brought my daughters 360 pro it came with a headset for online chat which i thought was very fine to have gotten all that included with the console. Anyway back to my beloved ps3, sony is giving the offical headset up for $10.00 with the game or giving the game up for $10.00 which ever way you look at it why not give it away for free with the ps3 console.
Too bad that like the trophy system the screenshot function is not a required function for game developers. Also just like the trophies launch not one game supports this function and I don’t see any companies back tracking old titles to add this function. This is more of a forward thinking to upcoming games. Let’s hope that Killzon2 will have them and I am sure Resistance2 will get this update. Oh, now that I think about it the weird game/interactive art Linger has screen shots in it. I made a few this morning. The game if it can be called that is freaky. Also a quick note the images are so large that you can’t send them attached to a message on PSN.