Ever since Sony first released the Playstation 3, they have advertised the powerful piece of hardware as more than just a gaming console. While gaming is perhaps the primary use for the console, its many features and powerful hardware allow it to do so much more than just gaming. It has now been three years since the Playstation 3 was released for retail availability, and now, the system is truly starting to shine for what it’s worth. An upcoming firmware release proves just how far the Playstation 3 has come as a full-fledged entertainment console. Read on to learn about the upcoming 3.10 firmware for the Playstation 3.
Overview of current Playstation 3 functionality
Before we get into the details of firmware 3.10, let’s go over what the Playstation 3 currently has to offer. First, the console allows you to play Playstation 3-compatible games from a BluRay disc, DVD, or in the form of downloaded games from the Playstation Network Store. Second, the Playstation 3 has a wide variety of multimedia tools that allow you to watch video and movie files, listen to music files, and view image files. The console also has Wi-Fi and LAN hardware, which allow you to connect to the Internet or to other networks. Furthermore, you can insert and access removable media, such as flash drives, external hard drives, DVD, CD, and BluRay discs. Update your Playstation 3 to the latest firmware (3.01), so you can get expanded functionality with a wide range of features, including YouTube support. The console also has Netflix support in the form of a software disc, which you can get for free if you are a Netflix subscriber.
What firmware 3.10 has to offer
Just last week, rumors surfaced about the release of 3.10 and what features the firmware will bring to the Playstation 3. Leaked pictures originating from the European website of Sony Computer Entertainment gave some hints into what the new firmware will have to offer. Perhaps the biggest rave that came with the leaked pictures was the hint that the Playstation 3′s firmware 3.10 will give users access to one of the most popular social networking services in the world: Facebook. Days after the leaked images hit the Internet, all suspicions were confirmed on the Official Playstation Blog, as one of the posts detailed some of the updates that will come with the PS3 via firmware 3.10. Here’s a list of the few updates that firmware 3.10 will bring to your console:
1. Facebook integration that allows users to link their Playstation Network account, updating Facebook news with trophy information, PlayStation Store activity, and game event information.
2. The XMB will have an improved Photo category with a thumbnail grid-view that allows you to view and navigate through your image collection more easily.
3. The friends list for your PSN account will be modified, allowing you to choose the color for your PSN ID.
As mentioned on the Playstation Blog, you can expect a lot more Facebook functionality in the future, but at least it’s good to see that Sony is actually dedicated to making it happen.