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]

Today, SCEE has officially announced the release of Firmware 2.0 for the PlayStation 3. The new firmware update will be available to download on November 8th 2007 and will include several new features and improvements. The update will allow the PS3 to be turned on and off using a PSP and Wi-Fi and also allows the XMB to be customized further that before. User’s will be able to change the colour and brightness of the XMB and set custom themes which can be downloaded from the PlayStation Network.

In addition to the above features, an Information Board will be added to the XMB to keep people up-to-date with the latest PlayStation news, and Trend Micro Web Security will be added for better security.

“Continuing with the idea of a personalised PS3, Version 2.00 allows for customisation of the XMB menu screen. Change the colour and brightness with the greatest of ease or have something completely different by setting a custom theme. With the potential for new backgrounds to become available on PLAYSTATION Network in the future, Version 2.00 truly opens up a whole raft of options.

A host of other enhancements includes the addition of an Information Board on XMB to keep people up to date on the latest PlayStation news, the inclusion of a new PLAYSTATION Network category and logo for easier navigation and Trend Micro Web Security, a free, state of the art internet security system, designed to give parents peace of mind.”

Unfortunately, there was no mention of in-game XMB access or the ability to play your own music in-game. But, lets wait until tomorrow before we jump to any conclusion.

Screenshots:

[Via: SCEE Press]

In a new poll, Gamer Advisory Panel (or G.A.P.) members are able to choose which feature they want to be included in a future firmware update for the PlayStation 3. The choices include In-game messaging, ability to play own music in-game or bigger buddy list and buddy categorizing. Unfortunately, members are only able to choose one option, and it looks like ability to play own music in-game is winning. Could this mean that complete XMB access will not be implemented?

It’s unclear of the poll was created by Sony or G.A.P. but it could mean that one or all of the said feature could be coming to the PS3 in the next firmware update. If you are a G.A.P. member, but haven’t voted, head over to the G.A.P. Member’s Area and vote. We have included a screenshot of the results at time of posting.

As some of you may be aware, the PlayStation Network went down for a few hours yesterday to update various aspects of the service. One update we noticed was the ability to use PlayStation Network cards in Europe. A new option has become available on the Transaction Management screen that lets you top-up your PlayStation Wallet by redeeming PlayStation Network Cards or promotional codes. It is still unclear when the PlayStation Network Cards will become available to purchase from retail stores.

Look out for more news on the release of PlayStation Network cards. Another change to the network was a few new avatars to customize your online profile with. If you have noticed any other changes, let us know by posting a comment below.

The XTREME PSP Magazine is back! The November issue has previews of Medal of Honor 2 and SWAT, and reviews of Worms 2. Also, new to the XTREME PSP Magazine is PlayStation 3 game previews and reviews. This issue includes previews of Assassin’s Creed and Fracture, plus reviews of Stuntman: Ignition and F.E.A.R. You can find a full list of content below.

Content List:

• Top PSP and PS3 News
• PSP Previews:
  • Medal of Honor: Heroes 2
  • SWAT: Target Liberty
• PS3 Previews:
  • Killzone 2
  • Assassin’s Creed
  • Fracture
• PSP Reviews:
  • Worms 2: Open Warfare
  • Medal of Honor: Heroes
• PS3 Reviews:
  • Stuntman: Ignition
  • F.E.A.R.
• Tips and Cheats
• Wallpapers
• Competition

[Download XTREME PSP Mag i028]

Incognito have finished testing their first Warhawk patch and it should be available to download later on today. Dylan Jobe, Game Director for Wahawk, announced the world wide release late last month (read). The patch was deployed today during an extended maintaince window between 5am and 9am PST (12pm to 4pm GMT). To install, boot up Warhawk and you will be prompted by the XMB to download the patch.

Instructions:

• Boot up Warhawk.
• You will be prompted to download the patch (version 1.10). Select Yes to continue.
• The update will take a little while to download (8264 KB).
• Once installed, the game will reboot.

UPDATE (Nov 2nd 2007 at 13:48 GMT):

After updating, several players have reported that Warhawk no longer boots. The error “This content cannot be accessed on your account (80029513)” is displayed when trying to boot Warhawk after installing the v1.1 patch. It is currently unclear what is causing this error, and Sony or Incognito have yet to comment. We’ll get back to you once we have more information.

We have confirmed this problem ourselves. The update works for some users but not others. Our PS3 is experiencing the same problems. Let us know if you are having any difficulties using the comment section below.

UPDATE 2 (Nov 2nd 2007 at 18:00):

A fix for the error above has been deployed by Incognito that will resolve the issue. However, if you are unable to access Warhawk, it is best to redownload the game and then apply the patch. The instructions to fix the problem is as follows:

For those European players that ran into the authorization problem, just quit to the XMB and re-launch Warhawk. The patch will download properly and all will be well in the universe again.

[Via: Warhawk Forum]

The PlayStation Network store has been update once again, like clock-work. This week’s additions include two new PlayStation Eye titles for Europe, in addition to the Juiced 2 demo, PES 2008 demo and a selection of trailers and wallpapers. As for the US, there are two new playable demos to download as well as a new PSOne title. Tthere are plenty of trailers and videos to download too.

Europe PSN Store:

• Playable Demos:
  • Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights
  • PES 2008
• Full Games:
  • Tori Emaki (GBP 1.99)
  • Feel Ski (GBP 4.99)
  • Mesmerize (GBP 1.99)
• Trailers and Videos:
  • PlayStation Eye Trailer
  • Hitman Trailer
  • Alien vs Predator Trailer
  • MotorStorn: Revenge Weekend Trailer
  • Lair: Call of the Beast Trailer
  • Uncharted: Introducing Naughty Dog Trailer
• Wallpaper
  • Uncharted Map

US PSN Store:

• Playable Demos:
  • TimeShift Demo
  • NFS ProStreet Demo
• PlayStation Games
  • Twisted Metal 2 ($5.99)
• Trailers and Videos
  • Uncharted "Massive" Trailer
  • GT 5 Prologye TGS Video
  • NFS ProStreet TV Spot
  • Burnout "Annihiliator" Trailer
  • Burnout "Hawker" Trailer
  • Burnout "Roadster" Trailer
  • Beowulf The Game Trailer
  • PlayStation Eye Trailer
  • The Bucket List Trailer
  • Close Encounters Trailer

Insomniac has released a new patch for Resistance: Fall of Man. The announcement was made by Greg Phillips, Line Producer for SCEA, on the PlayStation.Blod. The patch includes various improvements, bug corrections and support for the upcoming DualShock 3 controller. The full list changes can be found below. The major changes include ability to take screenshots in game using a USB keyboard, weapon balance changes and new round balancing options, DualShock 3 support added for online AND single player, password protected custom games and numerous bug fixes.

Patch Adds:

• Round-balancing is now more aggressive.
• Sick of the 40s and Tags? Turn ’em off.
• Play a private game with password.
• It’s not surprising at this point: Resistance will now be rumble-enabled.
• New weapon-balancing.
• They have decreased the damage and range of Shotrange.
• That damn Laark takes so long to reload…but not so much anymore. However, the trade-off is that there is a decrease in the radius of explosion.
• Decreased radius of the frag grenade.
• We’ll finally do more damage with Hedgehog, but there’s a smaller chance of a one-hit kill.
• Arc Charger range and damage increased, but secondary fire decreased in power.
• Bullseye Tag re-fire is slower…thank God.
• Custom Game Mode: we’ll now be able to voice chat with anyone playing!
• General bug fixes.

The recent PSP Firmware update to version 3.72 has confirmed that PS3 Firmware 2.0 is definately on the way. On the European PlayStation website, the changelog for the PSP firmware mentioned that “To use [Remote Start], the PS3 system software must be version 2.00 or later.” Unfortunately, the release date of the new firmware version is not know. One detail to note is that there is no mention of [Remote Start] in the US or Japanese changelog for PSP Firmware 3.72. This could mean that PS3 Firmware 2.0 may be released in Europe before US or Japan.

The PSP Firmware 3.72 changelog reads as follows:

Network

• Support for PLAYSTATION Network titles have been expanded.
• Support has been added for [Remote Start]* of the PS3 system under [Remote Play].
  • To use this feature, the PS3 system software must be version 2.00 or later. For detailed information about [Remote Start], visit the PS3 Help & Support section at eu.playstation.com and select Connecting to other devices in the General Guides area.

[Via: PlayStation Europe]