Major PS3 firmware update in March?
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Dec 5th 2006 at 4:25PM }
What better time to roll out features that should have been included in the initial PlayStation 3 launch than with the console's European debut? We kid (sorta). According to SCEE VP of Technology Paul Holman, Sony will deliver a major firmware update with PS3's release in Europe, still planned for March. While Holman did not dwell on specifics, he alluded to the PS3 becoming "as much a media center for the home as it is a gaming machine," enhanced by forthcoming third party operating systems.Assuming Sony does plan to piece together a full-featured patch for March, the strategy looks to mimic Microsoft's, which after two significant Xbox 360 updates (the first coming in spring, after a winter launch) continues to appease fans. Smart move.
[Via RegHardware]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Agent MOO @ Dec 5th 2006 4:28PM
Better patch that weak spot to avoid massive damage!
joe smith @ Dec 5th 2006 7:31PM
Might want to patch it into a decent game machine first and worry about making it more of a computer later.
JodyAnthony @ Dec 5th 2006 5:33PM
You know AgentMOO, I have never laughed at a 'massive damage' joke.
..until now. haha, totally caught me off guard and made me choke on my soda
courtney @ Dec 5th 2006 4:48PM
With all the problems the PS3 is having I really think that they need to stop trying to hammer home the whole media center thing and spend some time with the games. I mean didn't they learn anything with the PSP?
The more it is used as a media center the more it seems like less games will be made for it.
Maybe they are trying to get out of the console market?
Sizer @ Dec 5th 2006 5:53PM
> Maybe they are trying to get out of the console market?
Uh, yes. Sony doesn't seem to give a damn about the games, it's all about the Blu-ray drive and being the center of your living room media experience.
Magarnacle @ Dec 5th 2006 4:54PM
It seems like Sony is quickly realizing that without quality games (notice plural, Resistance is only one game) that they need to start touting some other features.
For only $650 dollars you can have your entire porn library in a slideshow, on your TV!
I almost bought a PS3 the other day. I went onto to EB to read the new release titles and dates. It looks grim. I don't doubt that I will get one but please Sony make it a gaming machine first, everything else second. Give it some games to play. Good ones.
Petey @ Jan 13th 2007 3:54PM
lol JW-R, you are so eager that indeed Sony would make a smart move... it's the laest they can do if the console capacities are flawed or incomplete... I for one prefer a flawless game device right from the gate rather than a beta console, all a question of personal taste...
Regula Oblique @ Dec 5th 2006 4:57PM
They'll be fine most of all the drama that people say isnt as bad as you think, I just got my PS3 and am loving it there are pros and cons for both the 360 and PS3 but the potential is definitely there and I cant wait for the update.
knobjockey @ Dec 5th 2006 5:12PM
Looks like March was the original launch date. Sony released the console early to keep a few people happy hahaha They are losing this 'next gen' console war more by the day
samfish @ Dec 5th 2006 5:13PM
Sony really needs to drop this media center crap and focus on making a videogame console that appeals to the masses (too late now!)
The PS3 (and 360, for that matter) are NOT going to wind up as "All In One Media Centers" for two simple reasons-
1- they have horrible user interface design and
2- that's NOT what people see these as. Sony in particular is trying to basically re-brand the Playstation as some sort stupid media center and it won't work. They'll destroy themselves trying.
This is in addition to the fact that nearly EVERYBODY keeps their media on their PCs and NOT their videogame consoles.
Until someone comes up with a simple, intuitive way to access media already kept on one's PC, the concept of a "Home Media Center" is never going to succeed.
Oh, and what's this? You mean Apple is releasing a device that connects your PC and TV together wirelessly and has a simple, easy-to-use interface? Look out, Sony and MS! Your plans are about to be dashed!
Milkshake @ Dec 5th 2006 5:21PM
If you read the origianl post he also says the following, looks like Nintendo has them scared
http://www.smarthouse.com.au/Games_And_Devices/Console?Article=/Games%20And%20Devices/Console/W2D5W7X5
Sony will introduce a series of firmware upgrades that will give the PS3 more media centre capability while allowing for the introduction of third party applications and hardware "Such as interactive controllers" similar to the Nintendo Wii he said.
Erwos @ Dec 5th 2006 6:26PM
"Until someone comes up with a simple, intuitive way to access media already kept on one's PC, the concept of a "Home Media Center" is never going to succeed."
Your commentary makes no sense. What do you think the whole "Xbox 360 can be used as Media Center Extender" was about? The 360's got the interface, the streaming, and everything else. The fact that you're too lame to know about it isn't Microsoft's fault.
Hirsbrunner @ Dec 5th 2006 5:27PM
"While Holman did not dwell on specifics, he alluded to the PS3 becoming 'as much a media center for the home as it is a gaming machine,'"
That's not good. The PS3 is NOT a gaming machine, according to Ken Kutaragi.
It's already crap, and now they're gonna make it crappier.
ill trooper @ Dec 5th 2006 5:26PM
I said it before:
Where's the system update that will correct the 'Reserve Not Met, item
relisted' message I keep getting?
dorkusmalorkus @ Dec 5th 2006 5:27PM
i wonder if this firmware will attempt to stop the ability to play pirated games off an external harddrive.
mcatrage @ Dec 5th 2006 5:40PM
The best media center game console is already out.
You can not beat a Xbox with XBMC on it. So I disagree with the poster above I keep all my media on my xbox to play with XBMC.
tack @ Dec 5th 2006 6:44PM
It wont be out in march. They just want people on the fence about the total lack of features the ps3 has compaired to the 360 to hold out longer. Remember when ps3 was to be released last spring?
404 @ Dec 5th 2006 6:00PM
Blah blah. The Wii has one great game also, the only difference is the Wii also has a bunch of quick-port games for kids. Go to metcritic and compare the review scores for the 2 systems and you'll see more games scored higher scores for the PS3 than Wii. The 360 has been out for a year and didn't launch with 50 games either. I can understand complaining about games if they don't have anything decent out after a year, but not now.
I also want the media center functionality. If they're going to have a hard drive on the units anyway for games, and have the hardware capable of displaying MPEG 4 movies, they mine as well make as much use of it as they can instead of restricting your options. Nintendo restricts your options and/or the hardware isn't capable of much anyway, but they sell it to you as a dedicated game machine and people buy it (both figuratively and literally). Whatever.
courtney @ Dec 5th 2006 6:56PM
I agree with #12 I don't think Sony has a chance to beat MS to the media center race. MS has to many foot holes in that market.
and for the record, now you don't need to keep your files on a 360. You can just stream them from your PC and now MAC's, without media center.
Izzy-B @ Dec 5th 2006 6:11PM
HA HA HA HA. In all or most of my post I have said " I predict PS3 will be hot by March". To me this is kinda funny i was right on the money! Comment number 4 is right ... PS3 to me has more than some protential ... it has potential to take the lead!
But if someone could do me a favor and explain to me about the post with a PS3 and a remote that's black and looks like an exact replica of the Wii mote but has different buttens explain that to me. I don't know if there is PS3 mote or just some guy playin tricks.
404 @ Dec 5th 2006 7:10PM
> Uh, yes. Sony doesn't seem to give a damn about the games, it's all about the Blu-ray drive and being the center of your living room media experience.
Yeah, Nintendo and Microsoft are non-profits just doing what they do in the best interests of the consumers. Haha. Everyone has an ulterior motive, and videogames are a huge part of Sony now, so they have to care about them.
DrXym @ Dec 5th 2006 6:34PM
Things that the PS3 is likely to get in the short or medium term:
a) Better resolution / frame support in blu-ray. 1080p/24 is already mentioned as being in the works.
b) Upscaling DVD
c) Downloadable movies, shows & content
d) Better music / video library organisation
f) Background downloading
I'd throw in a wild card or two that I'd love to see and would technically be feasible.
g) DVD ripping. Hey why not - Sony Media Manager already rips unencrypted DVDs for the PSP, and the PS3 could enforce region and crypto to tie them to that console.
h) PVR support for some 3rd party or their own video MPEG USB devices
i) YouTube integration
j) RSS videos / Podcasts
Someone mentioned the UI being hard for the PS3. Can't say I have a PS3 but it's very easy to use on the PSP. Very easy indeed considering the amount of things you can do from it.
CanadiansAreSoPowerful @ Dec 5th 2006 8:18PM
Gotta have game upscaling to 1080i, I hope....has there been anything new on that? I have a non-720p HDTV, and so it's sorta important if I were to own a PS3.
ninja @ Dec 6th 2006 7:17PM
Sony-haters keep crying "$600!"... Get a freakin job or fix your credit so you can afford one.
Keep buying the MS products... Xbox was abandoned right after 360 release. MS is already working on next-gen console... so when does support stop for the 360? What happens to your paid Live subscription?
I suppose you guys don't consider a subscription fee on gaming consoles money grubbing, right? As long as it looks cheap... only us Americans have problems seeing the bottom line.
Keep believing what MS is telling you.
courtney @ Dec 5th 2006 7:19PM
#20 "and videogames are a huge part of Sony now, so they have to care about them."
..so why are they not acting like it? Why would they throw Blu-Ray and all this other Sony crap at it that could hurt it they way it did for the PSP?
Rask @ Dec 5th 2006 7:32PM
"This is in addition to the fact that nearly EVERYBODY keeps their media on their PCs and NOT their videogame consoles.
Until someone comes up with a simple, intuitive way to access media already kept on one's PC, the concept of a "Home Media Center" is never going to succeed.
Oh, and what's this? You mean Apple is releasing a device that connects your PC and TV together wirelessly and has a simple, easy-to-use interface? Look out, Sony and MS! Your plans are about to be dashed!"
You obviously have never used the 360's extender functionalities with Windows Media Center or Windows Vista.
It's simple, easy to use, the PVR functionality is awesome. Transcode360 kicks ass, everything is at your fingertips and is someone is playing games on the 360, all the media can be accessed in exactly the same UI on the PC itself.
Once computer manufacturers start building and selling all their PC's with Vista Home Premium as Media Centers, 360 sales should increase quite a bit.
ZRX @ Dec 5th 2006 8:06PM
Location Free Player !!! And one that works with my laptop, as well as my PSP.
razer @ Dec 5th 2006 9:34PM
@#6 - Have you even used a 360? Since day one they had a streaming solution from the PC for music, photo's and video. The only catch was if you wanted to watch video you had to have a Media Center PC. But that is all gone now with Windows Media Player 11, which allows you stream Music, Video and Photos w/o WMC. I have a PS3 and a 360 and even though I love the multiple media slots Sony has and it's slideshow presentation is cool. But still the 360 has it beat on Media Center functions. I can't even listen to a custom soundtrack on a PS3 across the dashboard and games I'm playing. I'm definately not planning on storing all my media on the PS3, even if I stick a larger HDD in it. All my media is happy on my home network.
B33 @ Dec 6th 2006 2:32PM
"Looks like March was the original launch date. Sony released the console early to keep a few people happy hahaha They are losing this 'next gen' console war more by the day"
This statement and many others prove just how stupid and useless fanboys are. If you are a fanboy please do not play video games any more. You'll only ruin the reputation of well respected video game fans out there.
DBX00 @ Dec 5th 2006 8:31PM
Looking forward to the major firmware update in March, but enjoying Madden and RFOM and PS1 games (for my PSP) until that point. Oh yeah, I'm typing this using Firefox on my PS3 under the Linux operating system. Say what you want, I LOVE this piece of hardware!!!
ex-sonyfanboy @ Dec 5th 2006 9:35PM
you guys are dreaming, the only thing for sony to do now is release its's buggy ps3 in europe and hope that the impact there is better than the one in the U.S. and Japan, if so it may regain it's breath and keep up with xbox and wii... if not ps3 is pretty much dead, i mean sony is already having problems Ken Kutaragi the father of play station has been replaced by Kaz Hirai.
Rohan Aarons @ Dec 5th 2006 11:27PM
Who would have thought that Sony would be following Microsoft very move. The student has become the teacher. Sony i smell your rotten flesh.
Fandango @ Dec 5th 2006 11:49PM
#28 Oh yeah, that replacement is the end of the company. It doesn't matter than Sony's Playstations have crushed Sega, Nintendo, Atari and Microsoft, *THIS* time it'll be different. I swear.
Cuja @ Dec 6th 2006 1:24AM
Sony is stalling around with false promises to keep faithful hanging on to a terrible ideal.
VerdigriS @ Dec 6th 2006 9:49AM
"26. Looking forward to the major firmware update in March, but enjoying Madden and RFOM and PS1 games (for my PSP) until that point. Oh yeah, I'm typing this using Firefox on my PS3 under the Linux operating system. Say what you want, I LOVE this piece of hardware!!!
Posted at 8:31PM on Dec 5th 2006 by DBX00"
Oh yeah?! Well I am typing this using Firefox on my laptop!!! AND I am doing it while taking a break from playing some Zelda TP! How cool is that ZOMG!!!! I can pick up the controller and play some more if I wanted to as well!
/sarcasm
BTW do you have to reboot the PS3 to get back into gaming? Or did you basically just spend $600 on a linux box? I mean, you can build a linux box for around 150-200 these days. And I bet you can put Firefox on it too!
nerfgun @ Dec 6th 2006 11:43AM
Yeah, show me the $600 Linux PC that has a Cell chip, a blu-ray drive, and HDMI. Idjit.
Screech @ Jan 12th 2007 7:43AM
I for one am looking forward to media center features. I was going to look into Linux installs for adding media center features to the PS3 while still having it as a game console. I just need to look around and see what bootloaders are availible for it and what works best. But would be much happier if Sony release it in a way that supports the BT remote and with a good interface. I really want to stream content from the hugh drives in my PC across the house, mostly the music on them, or shoutcast streaming audio to the "home theater". Then I can sell that MVIX HD-media center thing my dad got me for Christmas that will not connect to the wireless network due to an underscore in the SSID.
To #26, Heck yeah, I hope to be doing the same by the end of the weekend.
Darkrogue @ Feb 20th 2007 4:20PM
Oh my freaking god give the PS3 a try all u Fan boys make me sick it hasn't even been out that long and ur all ready trying to say that by the end of this year the PS3 gonna full str8 on its back side god get a freaking life.
jasonv @ Mar 3rd 2007 4:43AM
look the one thing we all can agree on is that we all have our own prefs. it dosent really matter who likes what system or what one can do better than another what matters is the fact that it make you happy --- thats what really matters. and whats up with all the trash talk anyways - i mean come on calling people names just because they enjoy a different system than you thats so first grade. i mean take me for example right now i own a ps3 -ps2-psp-regular xbox-atari7800-and 2 pc's -and im planning to get a 360 and a wii then i'll have the best of all worlds. i mean yha it takes alot of $$$$ but still at least im one of the few it seams like that is keeping an open mind on all the systems and giving them all a chance. because with all of the tecnollogy that is out there great things are sure to come from all the systems. oh and btw i know im being a hippocrite when i say this but still all of you that are arguing over what system is the best why dont you all just stop all the bickering and go and play the system that you just dropped anywhere from 250.00 to 600.00 $$$ or more on and have fun cause that is what its there for --- right? btw im gonna go and get some good gameing time in now and have some fun.