Sony announces firmware 3.10 for PS3 with Facebook integration, coming 'soon'
by Randy Nelson 
{ Nov 16th 2009 at 9:08PM } 
Sony has revealed via the official PlayStation blog that PS3 firmware 3.10, due "soon," will allow the console to communicate with social media site Facebook. The news comes on the eve of Microsoft's latest Xbox 360 Dashboard update roll-out -- which, among other features, introduces Facebook functionality to that platform.
Once firmware 3.10 is installed, the PS3 will be able to send updates to a user's Facebook wall indicating which Trophies they've just unlocked in games and what they've recently purchased from the PSN's PlayStation Store. Developers will have the ability to access Facebook functionality to send more detailed updates to the site from their games, and these options can (as was the case with Trophies) be patched into titles currently on shelves.
As foreshadowed by screenshots leaked last week, firmware 3.10 brings with it a handful of other user interface tweaks -- demoed by PlayStation Network director of operations, Eric Lempel, in a video after the break -- but, alas, still no cross-game voice chat. At least the friends list is ditching the ugliness introduced with firmware 3.00.
Once firmware 3.10 is installed, the PS3 will be able to send updates to a user's Facebook wall indicating which Trophies they've just unlocked in games and what they've recently purchased from the PSN's PlayStation Store. Developers will have the ability to access Facebook functionality to send more detailed updates to the site from their games, and these options can (as was the case with Trophies) be patched into titles currently on shelves.
As foreshadowed by screenshots leaked last week, firmware 3.10 brings with it a handful of other user interface tweaks -- demoed by PlayStation Network director of operations, Eric Lempel, in a video after the break -- but, alas, still no cross-game voice chat. At least the friends list is ditching the ugliness introduced with firmware 3.00.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
BlackBeltJones @ Nov 16th 2009 9:09PM
Sony's got a case of the me too's.
Orchard Pear @ Nov 16th 2009 9:13PM
Indeed.
Except you don't need a Gold Subscription.
So.. let's call it...
Me 2x Better?
Peter Moore @ Nov 16th 2009 9:14PM
I hate both of you.
Lurkero @ Nov 16th 2009 9:18PM
I think Orchard just summed up this argument
rohan @ Nov 16th 2009 9:19PM
I said this once and i will say it again, they do it for FREE
plus they are living up to the new slogan "It only does EVERYTHING"
Smoke_me_a_Kipper @ Nov 16th 2009 9:20PM
They should then pop over to the Xbox forums for the Facebook app and make sure they fix the issues, like deleting your posts/status.
EGOvoruhk @ Nov 16th 2009 9:21PM
@Orchard Pear: I think you mean except when it comes to voice chat. Screw voice chat, they've got to get Facebook integration!
Prof. Von Manifest (aka the caterpillar in your buttermilk) [PSN: Manifest37] @ Nov 16th 2009 9:36PM
is that a mixture of ketchup & catsup?
CaramelZappa @ Nov 16th 2009 9:38PM
Don't get me wrong, free is fantastic, but it doesn't automatically make something better.
kenny goo @ Nov 16th 2009 9:42PM
Yea cause, ya know, it's not like the PS3 has had a web browser with access to Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and ya know, the ENTIRE WORLD WIDE WEB, from the second it released like 3 years ago.
Jackass...
Sgt Zeppelin @ Nov 16th 2009 9:46PM
But it's basically a broken form in the browser. If either Sony or Facebook could come up with a fix, it would be great. But until then, neither the XMB or the browser version is a good implementation. I've never tried Twitter in the PS3 browser, so I'm not sure how well it works. I would imagine it's at least on par with the 360 version though (view/post updates).
abelpc @ Nov 16th 2009 9:49PM
So Sony fanboys keep saying free is better? So if you had a choice between buying a hamburger or getting a free Turd sandwich.. You would still say free is better?
TONY @ Nov 16th 2009 9:50PM
except PS3 users have been able to use Facebook, Twitter, LastFM, Pandora and Myspace since day 1. its just that Facebook is getting a bit more intergration.
Shadowbender (Nelson Is Behind You) @ Nov 16th 2009 9:57PM
Orchard Pear, you read my mind. Totally agree. And yet, my friends still don't understand why I'll never pay for Gold. Psh...360 fanboys...
Prof. Von Manifest (aka the caterpillar in your buttermilk) [PSN: Manifest37] @ Nov 16th 2009 10:05PM
@abelpc
No, that's like comparing a PS2 with a Turbografix.
Products must be equal.
How did this become a flame war?
Darth Bradwart, The Dark Lord of the Sith-ATDF Co-Founder @ Nov 16th 2009 10:12PM
I'd take the TG-16. Thing had some awesome games.
(and I've got a PS2...)
abelpc @ Nov 16th 2009 10:50PM
well I am a PS3 and 360 owner.. PSN is good.. but not better than live. Sony should be working to bring better voice support.. Facebook support is lame.. the Xbox live version is Meh at best..
I am just tired of hearing about how PSN being free makes it better than live.. You guys are so cheap that for about 4 bucks a month you still have that argument? I have connection issues on PSN all the time.. Live is much more reliable with game connections from my experience.
umm....hello??? @ Nov 16th 2009 11:07PM
I could really care less about my achievements/trophies being posted on FB...most of my friends IRL don't even play games (unless you count Mafia Wars). I like that Sony and MS are competing against each other because ultimately it makes each of their respective services that much better.
However, MS still has an edge with cross-game chat support and overall better experience IMO, but sometimes that has more to do with the game's developer/publisher (as witnessed with COD: MW2). In either event, I just really hope that Sony improves its OS and network so that firmware updates and games can be installed/loaded faster...I hate having to wait hours for small incremental firmware updates. but at least I can play some games on my 360 or Wii while I wait, eh?
phinnvr6 @ Nov 16th 2009 11:49PM
Yea "me too's", except you can play Blu-ray and Netflix, stream all kinds of multimedia video, music, and photos, the built-in web browser already can view Facebook and Twitter fine along with Youtube and everything else. Oh, and online gaming is free (like PC).
Now if only they could just add cross game voice chat it would be perfect. it already does cross game text chat with up to 16 people but that's just silly.
eNrique @ Nov 17th 2009 12:30AM
Just wanted to ask, since when microsft announced facebook integration?
Ohhh, nevermind...
Mics @ Nov 17th 2009 11:12AM
Follow the leader.
Sly697 @ Nov 17th 2009 11:49AM
it does everything except keep my free demos that Ive downloaded and the games Ive chosen to buy separate...i have a 320 gig hard drive and 90 something demos...its a pain have to search through all those just to find the game that i want to play....also how bout a trophy level/amount of trophy's you have in the up right corner so i don't have to go and view my own profile every time i want to know my level/amount of trophy's i have....
End User @ Nov 17th 2009 12:09PM
@Sly: Um... you know you can sort your games, right? I've got 80+ PSN games and 30+ demos, all sorted. On the XMB, just highlight the game, then press triangle, and go to "information." Under "album," enter whatever category title you want. Then from the main game list, hit square to group the titles into the various albums. Mine are sorted into Action, Chill, Classics, Puzzle, Racing, Shooters, Sports, Strategy, and x-Software (for EyeCreate, with the "x" so it sorts to the bottom). Demos (and anything that hasn't had an "album" designated) will automatically sort into a folder labeled "Unknown."
Sly697 @ Nov 17th 2009 5:10PM
@End User..i did not know that....thank you good sir
lolpilipino @ Nov 17th 2009 8:42PM
"I could really care less about my achievements/trophies being posted on FB...most of my friends IRL don't even play games (unless you count Mafia Wars)."
Well I don't give a shit about all the farmville updates my friends spam on my feed either. This is my way of payback +_+
CheeziePotato @ Nov 16th 2009 9:10PM
I hate Facebook
bongoes Sector 2814 @ Nov 16th 2009 9:11PM
I understand it's usefulness to some people, but I hate it too.
B3astofthe3ast @ Nov 16th 2009 9:14PM
Facebook allowed me to find my long lost cousins who I haven't seen in a decade due to family problems. So its not entirely a waste of time.
EGOvoruhk @ Nov 16th 2009 9:23PM
Why do you hate it, because it allows you to easily connect with people you otherwise wouldn't be able to? Yeah, screw that!
Special Agent Steve @ Nov 16th 2009 9:32PM
"Why do you hate it, because it allows you to easily connect with people you otherwise wouldn't be able to? Yeah, screw
Just remember, the government owns all the accounts with the name "John Smith".
CheeziePotato @ Nov 16th 2009 9:40PM
I don't know what's so special about it. Sure you can find friends and relatives on Facebook, but other than that it's just useless to me. A lot of my friends use Facebook and I tried it, but I just didn't like it. I don't know why it's so popular, it's all over the internet, the news, everywhere. Facebook this, Facebook that. I just don't get it.
Jack Tretton @ Nov 16th 2009 9:48PM
"I hate Facebook."
The friendless usually do.
343 Guilty Fart @ Nov 16th 2009 9:59PM
Well, Facebook is good for keeping in touch with those friends you otherwise might not really ever talk to. Like having my old college roommate on facebook allows me to see what he's doing with his life without having to actively ask him. I used to think FB was overrated, but it does serve a purpose.
CheeziePotato @ Nov 16th 2009 10:04PM
"The friendless usually do."
Says the guy who pretends to be Jack Tretton.
Darth Bradwart, The Dark Lord of the Sith-ATDF Co-Founder @ Nov 16th 2009 10:17PM
We're gamers. We don't go outside (Amazon makes this possible). We don't interact (unless it's teabagging or telling noobs to STFU). Why would we need a social site? That's what online is for...
CheeziePotato @ Nov 16th 2009 10:23PM
@Bradworth
I have a job, I'm a social person, I barely even have time to play games during the week, and don't play online multiplayer as much as many gamers do. I just don't use social networking sites.
Marius Returns @ Nov 16th 2009 10:24PM
@Darth, speak for yourself
Val @ Nov 16th 2009 10:30PM
lol wait.... facebook but no cross game chat?
PedoJokerBear [Planeteer | Power of Gall Bladder] @ Nov 16th 2009 11:30PM
wait....he's not jack tretton?
DrunkRaba @ Nov 17th 2009 1:13AM
Its the new/newest myspace! But it's so much more mature! It's like highschool and myspace is like junior high/middle school. It does all the same stuff but is somehow "better"
Space @ Nov 17th 2009 9:41AM
I love it, but, I don't let my american friends be my facebook friends. I only use it for friends I met when I used to live in Australia and New Zealand.
borland502 (SDF Macross) @ Nov 17th 2009 9:52AM
"...A lot of my friends use Facebook"
Aaaaand you just answered your own question on why it's so popular. It's because everyone uses it. So you can find damned near anyone you'd ever want to hear from. MySpace had the title until the lack of security features and ability to redecorate until your eyes bled killed it.
ToTheMoon @ Nov 17th 2009 11:03AM
Hey cheeze,
Friendster, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter... They are all used for one of the following..
1) Competing with others to see how many friends you have
2) Keeping in touch with people you couldn't care less to keep in touch with in the first place
3) Cheating on your significant other (if I had a dime for every "Facebook cheat story" I've heard... I'd have just over a dollar...)
4) To make yourself feel important by telling everyone that you are bored/eating lunch or watching a TV show.
5) Once in a blue moon, for keeping in touch with people you somehow lost touch with and want to talk to (as 343 Guilty Fart states)
Tried it a few months after it started picking up steam and couldn't be bothered with it.. Then about a year later, I knew it was time for me to get out when CNN and Oprah started reporting on it as the "cool" thing to do and then my parents hopped on and tried inviting me.
Group based sites such as CommunityZero were much better (when it was free) at keeping like minded people like that together but like anything else, there is always something better on the horizon.
FB will fade away like the others and something else will rise - hopefully it will be something a bit more secure, better structured and less intrusive in terms of data collection.
I know what I'm writing won't be popular because I'm going up against 330 million users but to me it wasn't worth the time invested in it. Kudos to you if it works for you but I couldn't really see a practical use for it (though Twitter had a pretty good showing with the Iran election protests).
Megapixel @ Nov 16th 2009 9:11PM
Now I can struggle to progress in Demon's Souls and change my facebook status in harmony with each other. Yaay!
B3astofthe3ast @ Nov 16th 2009 9:12PM
YES! Now I have like 7 devices that can access facebook! Theres no way I'll get that essay done now!
ejsponge61 @ Nov 16th 2009 10:39PM
What essay? :)
Darth Bradwart, The Dark Lord of the Sith-ATDF Co-Founder @ Nov 16th 2009 10:41PM
It's an essay on Facebook addiction...
HUPextreme @ Nov 17th 2009 8:48AM
nah, think he is talking about his Mexican friends on facebook.
Mics @ Nov 17th 2009 11:11AM
Orelay, homes...
M.Garvey @ Nov 18th 2009 12:19PM
The Mexican Superfriends?