PlayStation 3 Firmware 2.00 is now available to download, following yesterday’s announcement. The new firmware adds several new features to the system including the ability to customize the XMB further by using themes, and changing the colour and brightness of the XMB. In addition, the PlayStation Network now has its own category, under which you will find [Account Management] and the [PlayStation Store]. This category will also have [PlayStation Home] once it is released.
You can now create playlists for Music and Photos. The Internet Browser has been updated to include Trend Micro Web Security which can protect you from malicious websites. The option to use Web Security can be changed from the Internet Browser itself and uses a 4-digit passcode for access. The service will be free to use uintil April 2008. Using Wi-Fi and a PSP with Firmware 3.72 or greater, you can now turn your PS3 on or off remotely, so you won’t need to leave it on when you go out.
We’ve had a good look around and found a few things that have been modified but not mentioned in the official changelog. Did you know that you can now arrange your Photos, Music, Videos and Games into folders? You can create and edit folders for any item stored on the PS3. So, you can now seperate your full games from your demos, which makes finding what you want a lot easier.
[See video of Firmware 2.00]
Finally the use of folders. I was getting annoyed with scrolling 20 demos just to get to warhawk! this should make thigs a lot easier.
I knew that in-game xmb access would not be in this firmware, but I was hoping home was at least. Oh well, still a useful update.