System Software Ver. 2.50

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Users

You now have an option to set the PS3 system to turn off automatically after a background download or installation of content has been completed. This option is available when you are turning off the system under [Users] > [Turn Off System] while content is being downloaded or installed.

Settings

[BD/DVD Settings] has been renamed as [Video Settings].
Under [Video Settings], the [Cinema Conversion] and [Upscale] options have been renamed as [BD/DVD Cinema Conversion] and [BD/DVD Upscaler], respectively.
[Sequential Playback] and [50 Hz Video Output] have been added as options under [Video Settings].
[DivX VOD Registration Code] has been added under [System Settings]. You must use this registration code to authenticate and register the PS3 system to be able to play video files that are compatible with the DivX VOD (Video On Demand) service on your system. For details, visit divx.com/vod/
[Power Save Settings] has been added as an option under Settings. To save power, the PS3 system and Wireless controllers can be set to turn off automatically after a certain period of inactivity.
Under [Accessory Settings] > [Audio Device Settings], the method for reconnecting Bluetooth devices has been changed.
Under [Accessory Settings] > [Keyboard Type], you can now choose the following keyboard types: [German Keyboard (Switzerland)], [French Keyboard (Canada)] and [French Keyboard (Switzerland)].
In the keyboard layout for [German Keyboard], the “Y” and “Z” keys have been switched and the “Q” and “A” keys have been switched.
Under [Printer Settings] > [Printer Selection], you can now select printers that support network connectivity. You can also select HP printers using the [HP] option.

Music

You can now select one of nine volume output levels using the [Volume Control] setting on the control panel (or the mini-size control panel).
[Pause] has been added as an icon on the mini-size control panel.

Video

You can now select one of nine volume output levels using the [Volume Control] setting on the control panel.
[Scene Search] has been added as an option on the control panel.
You can now use the [Mosquito Noise Reduction] setting for video content that is saved on the hard disk or storage media. Use this setting to reduce mosquito noise that appears on the edges of visual images.
During BD (BDAV) and DVD playback, a technique known as “chroma upsampling” is now automatically selected based on the movement of objects within the video content and then applied to enhance images in the content.

Game

[Sync with Server] has been added as an option under [Trophy Collection].
By pressing the PS button while playing PLAYSTATION 3 format software, you can now view information from the [Settings and Connection Status List] option under [Network Settings]. This feature is not available for use with some PLAYSTATION 3 format software.

Network

Support for Adobe Flash Player 9 has been added to [Internet Browser]. “Adobe” and “Flash” are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries.

PlayStation Network

The way to disable the automatic sign-in option and the way to sign out from PlayStation Network have been changed.
In PlayStation Store, the design of the [View Downloads] and [View Cart] buttons has been changed, and a [Redeem Codes] button has been added.

Saints Row 2 has 3.5GB install, no trophy support

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With the North American release of Saints Row 2 today, we were eager to try the game out. After popping in the disc, were surprised to see a patch already available for the game. Patch v1.10 is 33MB in size but unfortunately trophy support is not included.

PlayStation Network downtime today

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The PlayStation network will be down for maintenance tonight between 9:00PM and 2:00AM. The announcement was made on the SCEE forums but the post did not state why maintenance was being carried out. We speculate that the network is being prepared for the upcoming PSP and PS3 firmware updates, which are said to be released soon. During the downtime, you will not be able to sign-in to the network.

However, if you sign-on before, you will have no problems playing online. As you may have read, the PSP will be getting access to the PlayStation Store in firmware v5.00, and new features will be added to the PS3 PlayStation Store.

PS3 Firmware 2.5 details

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PlayStation 3 Firmware update v2.50 in coming soon and with it comes several improvements and new features. With the release of the official bluetooth headset this month, the firmware update will add new features to support High Quality audio mode. Also, the trophy system will be getting an interface enhancement to make it easier to compare trophies. As for new features, the firmware update will add in-game screenshot support, power save settings for wireless controllers and background downloading features.

Changelog:

Support for the PS3 Official Bluetooth Headset – enables High-Quality (HQ) mode, which delivers clear and wide-band online voice chat. Plus, on-screen indicator shows battery status, volume level and use of HQ mode.
PlayStation Trophies interface enhancements – This update makes sharing and comparing your trophies with your friends even easier. On 1st part of the profile page you?ll see a symbol under level that represents level and the actual percentage towards the next level along with the existing level meter. The level symbol carries over to the trophy comparison screen where you will now be able to see your level, your friend?s level and the percentage towards the next level for both users along with all of the game by game comparison information you see today.
Friend status – Offline friends on your Friends list will have information below their avatars that will indicate how long it has been since they were last online.
Video – This update adds the Scene Search feature similar to the feature on the PSP. Activating this feature while viewing a video on the PS3 will break the video up into scenes that you can quickly access by pressing the X button. You can break the videos into one, two or five minute intervals. In addition, you can now choose to have all of the videos under the video section of the XMB play in sequence. Go to Settings then Video Settings to turn this option on.
PlayStation Store – The redeem codes option has been added to the store to make it easier to redeem your PlayStation Network Cards and promotion codes. In addition, PlayStation Network Sign Up and Account Management have been redesigned.
Power Save Settings – You can now set your PS3 and wireless controllers to turn off automatically after set periods of inactivity. Go to Settings then Power Save Settings to turn on these features.
Background Downloading – You now have the option to set the PS3 to turn off automatically after a background download or installation of content has completed. This option is available when you turn off the system from the button under [Users] while content is being downloaded or installed.
In-game Screenshots – this tool will allow everyone to capture, share and in other words, immortalize their favorite gameplay moments. This will be supported on a game by game basis. Please check back to find out which games will support this feature.

TGS 2008: PlayStation Home to launch on Nov 19th 2008

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At the Tokyo Games Show 2008, Sony has announced that PlayStation Home will be released to the public on November 19th 2008. Home has already been delayed twice since it was announced almost two years ago. The extended closed beta of PlayStation Home is currently under way but in just over a months time, everyone will be able to enjoy Sony’s virtual world. On launch, a variety of third-party content will be available from many game design companies.

PlayStation Home

Ryoji Akagawa of Sony said that around 24 game design companies would provide the content needed for Home – but didn’t give much else away. Xbox 360 is developing a similar virtual community called "New Xbox Experience". Microsoft’s John Schappert said:

"Our goal is to make the Xbox experience more visual, easier to use, more fun to use and more social…We focused a lot on friends and other experiences outside just playing games."

PlayStation Home

PlayStation Video Store update for Oct 10th 2008

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This week content for four television series and over 30 new movies have been added to the PlayStation Video Store. New TV content includes It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Star Trek VIII: First Contact. As for new movies, a few that stand out from the list of over 30 include King Kong, The Hitchhiker?s Guide to the Galaxy and Con Air. As for this week’s top 20 movie downloads, Iron Man is on top followed by Grandma’s Boy in second place and Speed Racer in third.

Television:

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Star Trek VIII: First Contact
Superjail!, Season 1
Watchmen Motion Comic, Chapter One & Two

Movies:

Charlotte?s Web 2
Cobra
Con Air
Crocodile Dundee II
Curly Sue
Date Movie (Unrated)
Doctor Zhivago
Domestic Disturbance
Extreme Ops
Grandma?s Boy
He Said, She Said
High Crimes
Joy Ride
Joy Ride 2: Dead Ahead
Keeping Up with the Steins
King Kong
Mean Girls
Open Water
Return from Witch Mountain
Rugrats in Paris: The Movie
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
The Abyss
The Addams Family
The Happening
The Hitchhiker?s Guide to the Galaxy
The Hunt for Red October
The Little Prince
The Sandlot
The Siege
Transporter 2
Untouchables
Vanilla Sky
World Trade Center
Wrong Turn

WipEout HD patch now available in Europe

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A patch for WipEout HD is now available to download in Europe. Patch v1.1 solves some of the bugs that were reported with the game. Unfortunately, if you played the game while having more than 50 friends, then it is possible that your game savedata has been corrupted and will need to be deleted. Once the update is installed, users should delete any savedata and then launch the game to create a new profile. Luckly, any trophies that you have unlocked will remain on your PSN profile.

The patch is currently available in Europe only, but one for North America will most likely be released soon. The official comment on the update is:

"If at any time you have had over 50 users in your friends list whilst playing Wipeout it is possible that your saved data has become corrupted.

If this situation applies to you, we strongly recommend once this update has installed you quit the game and delete your saved data using the saved data utility in the XMB, then relaunch the game to create a new profile."

PS3 Wireless Keypad launch details

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Sony has announced that the wireless keypad accessory and AC adapter for the PlayStation 3 will be launching in Japan on December 18th 2008. The wireless keypad accessory supports Bluetooth 2.0 and has the full QWERTY layout. The accessory will be compatible with both the SIXAXIS and DualShock 3 controllers. The AC adapter lets you charge your controller without having to attach it to a PS3. It also has two extra USB ports that lets you charge other peripherals like the wireless keypad or a headset. You can even use it to charge your PSP Slim or the new PSP-3000.

The keypad will be supported in games like LittleBigPlanet, Resistance 2 and even PlayStation Home. The keypad will retail for ¥5,500 (approx $55) and the AC adapter will retail for ¥2,800 (approx $28).

PlayStation Store update for Oct 9th 2008

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The huge PlayStation Store update this week. The Valkyria Chronicles demo is now available to download from the Euro PlayStation Store, while the Warhawk demo is finally out on the US store. A new PSN title, Linger in Shadows, is now available to purchase from both stores, while the US has also received Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket Powered Battle Cars. The first set of premium XMB themes are also live on the US PlayStation Store. Check out the massive update below.

European Additions:

Playable Demos
- Valkyria Chronicles
- Hail To The Chimp
Full Games
- Linger in Shadows (£2.99)
- Super Stardust HD Complete (£9.99)
Game Add-on Content
- Buzz! Quiz TV
  - Comedy Movies Quiz (£4.99)
- Everybody’s Golf World Tour
  - Costume Pack A (£3.99)
- Mega Man 9
  - Endless Attack (£2.99)
  - Proto Man Mode (£2.99)
- NBA Live 09
  - NBA Live 365 (£9.99)
  - Oklahoma City Pack
- Rock Band, various songs, £1.49 each:
  - Against Me! – “Stop!”
  - Free – “All Right Now”
  - George Thorogood and the Destroyers – “Bad to the Bone”
  - Harvey Danger – “Cream & Bastards Rise”
  - Screaming Trees – “Nearly Lost you”
  - Static-X – “Push It”
Videos
- Metal Gear Solid 4 Story Trailer
- Mirror’s Edge 2D Story Trailer
- Need for Speed Undercover Trailer
- WipEout HD, Making of
- Power Pack PSP Trailer
- Puzzle Pack PSP Trailer
XMB Themes
- WipEout HD Theme

US Additions:

Qore Episode 5 ($2.99/$24.99 annual subscription)
Playable Demos
- Warhawk
- Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket Powered Battle Cars
Full Games
- Linger in Shadows ($2.99)
- Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords ($14.99)
- Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket Powered Battle Cars ($14.99)
Game Add-on Content
- Hot Shots Golf Fall Fashion Line ($2.99)
- Dead Space Obsidian Suit (Free for a limited time only)
- Dead Space Scorpion Suit ($2.49)
- FIFA 09
  - All Leagues Pack ($19.99)
  - Barclays Premier League English Pack ($6.99)
  - Bundesliga German Pack ($6.99)
  - Liga BBVA Spanish Pack ($6.99)
  - Ligue 1 French Pack ($6.99)
  - Primera Division De Mexico Pack ($6.99)
  - Serie A Italian Pack ($6.99)
- Mega Man 9
  - Endless Attack Mode ($2.99)
  - Protoman Mode ($1.99)
- Rock Band
  - The Offspring Track Pack 01 ($5.49; includes tracks below, also offered individually)
    - Gone Away – The Offspring ($1.99)
    - Pretty Fly (For A White Guy) – The Offspring ($1.99)
    - Self Esteem – The Offspring ($1.99)
- Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution
  - Single Player Map Pack: Brave New Worlds
  - Scenario Pack: The Victory Pack ($1.25)
- Super Stardust HD
  - Game Bundle with Solo & Team modes ($14.99)
  - Add-on Bundle (Solo & Team) ($7.99)
Game Videos
- LittleBigPlanet Life in LBP Ep. 2 (Play)
- LittleBigPlanet Playtime
- MotorStorm Pacific Rift Crashes & Carnage Trailer
- NBA 09 Trailers (x4)
- SOCOM: Confrontation – Desert Glory Flythrough
- Bioshock Official Trailer
- Legendary: The Box Behind the Scenes 3 & 4 (x2)
- Mercenaries 2 World In Flames Payback Trailer
- Soul Calibur IV Character Gameplay Combos Trailer
- Tom Clancy’s End War Command Points Video Briefing
- Tom Clancy’s End War Mass Destruction Trailer
Premium XMB Themes
- Kicks Theme ($0.99)
- Bioshock Exclusive Theme ($0.99)
- Auburn University ($1.99)
- Florida State University ($1.99)
- University of Georgia ($1.99)
- University of Miami ($1.99)
- University of Michigan ($1.99)
- University of North Carolina ($1.99)
- University of Tennessee ($1.99)
- University of Texas ($1.99)
- Beach Sampler ($1.99)
- Summer Down Under ($1.99)
- Digital Techno ($1.49)
- High Voltage ($1.49)
- Horror Eyes ($1.49)
- Refracted Revolt ($1.49)
- Bad Girls ($1.49)
- Halloween Vixens ($1.49)
- Golden Retriever ($1.49)
- Man’s Best Friend ($1.49)
- Nordic Majesty ($1.49)
- Seaside Sunsets ($1.49)
- Elven-X ($0.99)
- Iron Guard ($0.99)
XMB Themes
and Wallpapers
- WipEout HD All Teams #2 Theme
- Fallout 3 Brotherhood of Steel Theme
- Fallout PIP-BOY 3000 Theme
- Linger In Shadows Wallpapers (x2)
- ATV Pure Wallpapers (x4)
- Valkyria Chronicles Wallpapers (x2

TGS 2008: Sony announces Old Snake and Sephiroth Sackboys for LittleBigPlanet

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Yesterday at the Tokyo Game Show 2008, Sony announced two more Sackboys to join the existing lineup of Kratos and Nariko. This time it’s Old Snake from Metal Gear Solid 4, and Sephiroth from the PSOne title Final Fantasy 7. The exact details of the two new sackboys were not revealed by Sony promises more information soon. We speculate that these sackboys will be available to purchase from the PlayStation Store when the game is launched later this month. See below for some screenshots.