PSP Firmware 3.0 Now Available
Just out of chance, I accidentally executed the Network Update feature on my PSP and was shocked to see a notice about a new version being available. Without any hesitation, I downloaded it and went through all the options that were new. For those who still don't know, here is the list:
PlayStation Network titles are now supported under GAME
Remote Play has been added as a feature under NETWORK
Online Instruction Manuals has been added as a feature under NETWORK
Timed Recording has been added as a feature under RSS CHANNEL
A visual player has been added as a feature under MUSIC
3-Speed Fast Forward and Fast Reverse has been added as a feature under MUSIC
Camera has been added as a feature under PHOTO
UMD Auto-Start has been added as a feature in System Settings under SETTINGS
For those of you without PS3s, this update probably won't mean that much (aside from maybe checking out the cool, new visual player) but I was definitely looking forward to trying out the first version of the Remote Play feature.
Remote Play allows you to connect your PSP to your PS3 (via Ad Hoc) and control it. It's sort of like the Remote Desktop feature in Windows XP in that you see a version of your PS3's XMB menu system on the PSP screen. You can then move around and stream any photos, music and movies that are on the PS3. I didn't have much media yet, so just watched a couple of the HD trailers that I downloaded from the PlayStation Store and then proceeded to load up the PS3's internet browser and surf around a bit.
As of right now, the feature is a bit limited as you have to manually turn on your PS3 and enable the mode before being able to connect to it via the PSP. As Sony has mentioned that this feature will eventually be expanded to allow PSP owners to connect to their PS3s anywhere where there is a wi-fi network, I assume that you'll be able to turn on and off the PS3 remotely at some point.
All in all, it is a promising feature but it's going to take quite a bit more work before it becomes something truly practical to use. Even at this stage, though, it surpasses any sort of connectivity that Nintendo was attempting to do with the whole GameCube/GBA thing. I just hope that Sony really keeps working on it and releases frequent updates.
As a last note, the firmware is only currently available via the PSP's Network Update feature. I assume it will appear on the official site later today.
For those of you without PS3s, this update probably won't mean that much (aside from maybe checking out the cool, new visual player) but I was definitely looking forward to trying out the first version of the Remote Play feature.
Remote Play allows you to connect your PSP to your PS3 (via Ad Hoc) and control it. It's sort of like the Remote Desktop feature in Windows XP in that you see a version of your PS3's XMB menu system on the PSP screen. You can then move around and stream any photos, music and movies that are on the PS3. I didn't have much media yet, so just watched a couple of the HD trailers that I downloaded from the PlayStation Store and then proceeded to load up the PS3's internet browser and surf around a bit.
As of right now, the feature is a bit limited as you have to manually turn on your PS3 and enable the mode before being able to connect to it via the PSP. As Sony has mentioned that this feature will eventually be expanded to allow PSP owners to connect to their PS3s anywhere where there is a wi-fi network, I assume that you'll be able to turn on and off the PS3 remotely at some point.
All in all, it is a promising feature but it's going to take quite a bit more work before it becomes something truly practical to use. Even at this stage, though, it surpasses any sort of connectivity that Nintendo was attempting to do with the whole GameCube/GBA thing. I just hope that Sony really keeps working on it and releases frequent updates.
As a last note, the firmware is only currently available via the PSP's Network Update feature. I assume it will appear on the official site later today.
posted by Frosty @ 10:52 AM
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