PlayStation Network
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PlayStation 3 firmware 2.30 is now available to download, as promised by Sony last week. The firmware update gives you access to the new revamped PlayStation Store and also adds DTS-HD Master Audio and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio features for Blu-ray movies. We’re still waiting for the official changelog but from looking at the Japanese PlayStation website, nothing else has been added. See Japenese changelog below. Unfortunately, PlayStation Home was not included with the update.
Japanese Changelog:
Earlier this week we managed to get access to PlayStation Home by “hacking” a few files on the Sony server. Our video shows that we managed to download Home from the Sony servers, but we weren’t able to access the online world.
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The PlayStation Network will go offline for several hours today in order to prepare the launch of the new PlayStation Store for tomorrow. The store will be offline from 8:00 AM PST (4:00 PM BST) until 11:00 PM PST tonight (7:00AM BST tomorrow). The announcement notes that other PlayStation Network services will not be affected. Before you can access the new store tomorrow, you will need to download firmware 2.30 when it is released tomorrow.
We will bring you more information on firmware 2.30 and the new store tomorrow. Sony has already confirmed that firmware 2.30 will include DTS-HD Master Audio and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio features for Blu-ray movies, but other changes in the system software are still to be determined.
First off we would like to apologize for the Wallpaper Gallery downtime today. During the downtime we updated the gallery section by adding over 600 new HD Wallpapers for you to use on your PS3. We’ve been working hard over the past few days to being some much needed changes to the website, and more wallpapers is phase 2 of our planned update. You now have access to over 1500 high-definition wallpapers – you can get full access to the gallery section by becoming a member for free.
We’ve added 656 new wallpapers to the gallery which include:
We’ve updated the XTREME PS3 website today, with some interface and usability improvements. You will notice Tool Tips around the site now giving you some information about the various sections of the website. The News section has also been updated to provide a better and more robust commenting system. Any feedback on the new features would help us make further changes.
You can test the tool tips by simply hovering over one a link from the left or top navigation menus. The news commenting system now checks to see if your submission is valid before redirecting you – this should save you time. We will be looking to make some more improvements over this weekend. Any suggestions are welcome. The new functionality is JavaScript based so a supported browser will be required.
In a Press Release today, SCEE has confirmed that the new PlayStation Store will launch on Tuesday, 15th April 2008. Firmware 2.30 will be available to download which will allow you to gain access to the new store. In addition, new content will be available from April 17th 2008, including the Metal Gear Online Premiere Beta. The Warhawk add-on pack Operation Broken Mirror will also be available to download next week. Press release and new screenshots below.
Screenshots:
Press Release:
"On 15th April, the new look PLAYSTATION Store, the online content store on PLAYSTATION Network launches; bring with it improved navigation, more functionality and a whole raft of new content.
The revamp comes in response to a survey last year which showed that many PLAYSTATION Store users wanted a better interface and easier navigation. The new design will deliver a hugely improved navigation system, much greater scope for categorisation and a dynamic new user interface.
To accompany the launch, the PLAYSTATION Store will see an exciting selection of content available from 17th April, consisting of the launch of the Metal Gear Online Premiere Beta, building up to the launch of the next chapter in one of PlayStation’s most loved franchises, Metal gear Solid: Guns of the Patriots. Also available will be Warhawk: Operation Broken Mirror, a great new addition to the hugely popular Warhawk experience and Lair: Diabolical Dragons Pack and Skyguard Upgrade pack, offering new and exciting features and functions. There will also be a collection of trailers including the latest for GTA IV, as well as a Sega Superstars tennis demo.
The PLAYSTATION Store revamp will not affect PLAYSTATION Network accounts or the virtual wallet system."
An anonymous user has just emailed us a link to the Home Beta (v0.8.3) which was available to download from the PlayStation Home servers until Sony took the link down. Although the current version of the beta is v0.8.6, this version will still install (via the F@H exploit or using PlayStation Home “hack”) but is still unplayable. For those who would like to “fake” their participation in the beta, the download link is included below.
We have tested the download and we can confirm that it is able to start, but an update to Home prevents you from accessing the servers. At least you can start it and have “PlayStation Home” under your PSN ID to make your friends jealous.
SCEA have released a video showing off the new PlayStation store which is due for release next week. SCEA also reveal that firmware 2.30, will add DTS-HD Master Audio output for Bly-Ray movies increasing the audio quality.
Read MoreAccording to the Japanese PlayStation website, the PlayStation store revamp will occur on April 15th 2008, which is a Tuesday. Firmware 2.30 will be released allowing access to the new store. The firmware update will be released in the Evening (Japanese time). There has been no announcement of when the new store will be available in North America or Europe other than in mid-April. It is likely that the new firmware will be available in Europe and US on Tuesday too.
Rough Japanese Translation:
Sony PlayStation 3 online service will be renewed on April 15th, 2008 (Tuesday) evening. This will renew and expand the store by adding functionality described below:
- New interface and navigation improvements
- Preview video content using still images
- New download categories added
After the update, PS3 System Software 2.30 will be available.
To promote the new store, SCEJ will be offering a "PS treasure hunt" running from April 15th to May 12 2008. This will allow every 50th user to the store to download a "hidden" application or game, most likely for free. Maybe this is the suprise SCEE/SCEA mentioned upon release of the new store.
[Via: SCEJ]
