Tech Blog

[#1]

The PlayStation 3's latest firmware update, v3.40, went live last week, bringing lots of new features including the much talked about PlayStation Plus premium subscription option, enhanced functionality for connecting your PlayStation Network account with your Facebook profile, and at least one hidden setting that Sony neglected to mention in their official announcement.

Sony made the public reveal of PlayStation Plus during their E3 press conference on June 15, 2010, and the service launched in North America less than two weeks later.  The new paid subscription service package for the PlayStation Network offers enhanced services such as free access to select games, full game trails, automatic download of patches and firmware, games discounts and more. 

While the official announcement of the subscription service was made three weeks ago, Sony had been toying with the idea since late last year.  A survey, which was issued by IPSOS Online Research in December 2009, indicated that Sony was considering a premium subscription service to compete with Microsoft's Xbox LIVE offering.  Sony has gone on record as stating that PlayStation Plus subscribers will gain access to "an exclusive and expanding set of evolving features, content and functionality" so perhaps we may see more features in the IPSOS survey rolled out over time.  Services mentioned in the survey but that have not materialized yet include cross-game voice chat, cloud storage space for games, and loyalty program rewards.

A one-year subscription to PlayStation Plus costs $49.99 CAD, and 90-day subscriptions are also available for $17.99.

Also included in Firmware upgrade 3.40 is a new network based photo sharing feature which allows PS3 users to upload, browse and comment on photos on social media websites such as Facebook and Picasa Web Album.  In addition, PS3 users can opt to share pictures in their Photo Gallery with members of their PSN friend list. 

A new video editor and uploader has been added to the PS3's XrossMediaBar (XMB), which allows users to upload, edit and save video files stored on your PS3 hard drive and put them on YouTube or Facebook.

Sony has finally introduced a five star rating system with 3.40 that enables PlayStation Store users to rate all content they purchase from the store, and will aid in purchasing decisions by allowing users to sort content based on community popularity. 

The firmware upgrade also introduced enhanced power save settings, which lets users adjust how long the console can stay idle before auto shutting off.  After installing 3.40, the default PS3 system auto-off will be set at two hours.

A hidden feature, spotted by a reader of Joystiq, has added "Calibrate Motion Controller" to the Setting area of the XMB.  The motion controller in question of course is referring to PlayStation Move, the wand-like peripheral coming out this fall.

In addition to all the above feature enhancements and upgrades, the latest firmware patch is introducing a new PSN application that connects directly to your Facebook account.  This application builds upon the integration that already exists between the PSN and Facebook, which allows users to share Trophy information and purchases from the PlayStation Store.   Now users can add a PSN tab on their Facebook profile that allows them to search their friend list to see if anyone they know has a PSN account, send friend requests, and view their friends' PSN online statuses.  Facebook users can find out more information on these features by visiting: http://apps.facebook.com/playstation/.

Facebook integration screen caps:

[#2]

Oh joy, oh Bliss.

Pay more $$$ and get nothing in return except more ways to waste $$$ and time.

Facebook?

Woo hoo.

I have a computer.

How about some additional actual functionality for a game machine.

Who cares if they can finally start to teach it to act like a computer?

...and really... I hould pay extra for that?

Make it work as best you can.. for games, which is what it is built for,

and then add in all the stuff you forgot as upgrades,

not try to charge people for what a normal computer can already do easily.

[#3]

Oh, come on Sony. This is an age old ploy - just like Microsoft - First, introduce a half-assed product and then keep charging the customers for "enhancements". Yeah, I was not born yesterday.

Do well what it is built for - i.e., games.

Second, if you want to provide enhancements do not charge customers

Third, if you truly intend this to go on network then please, please, provide a better

browser. Who are your software developers anyway? Either you take out this functionality altogether (it will defeat the purpose) or provide a better functioning browser.

OK, back to the drawing board.

[#4]

Seriously guys?


Ok let's be focus in one thing: games, console, controllers. That's the key to keep happy all your customers and bring new ones on board.


Question:


Are you fighting against computers now? Facebook? Who cares, everyone has a computer.


Idea: Just create a new product: The Playstation Desktop ! Then you can add all the facebook crap and whatever you want.


PS: Your browser is sucks, it's a pain in the a**. Masochistics are the only ones using  that browser. Hopefully you won't start to charge per minute just  to be connected to playstation network because that will be the begining of your bankrupcy.

God bless America!