The Xbox 360 will get a small firmware update on April 6th. The new feature will be to use a USB flash drive as a memory card for the Xbox 360 to storing profiles, game saves and demos. How ever, there are some limitations. Only up to 16GB of the flash drive will be allocated for the 360 and you can only two USB devices assosiated with one Xbox 360.
The original Memory Unit will probably be faced out. They where expencive compared to the cost/space of a flash drive.
We’ve also enhanced the memory management functions, so you’ll be able to have better control on what you want to copy or move between storage devices.
A couple of points:
You can have 2 devices connected to the console at a time, enabling up to 32GB of simultaneous storage.
The system won’t just configure the device once it is connected to the console. You’ll need to head to the memory area in system settings, select your USB Device, and choose from Configure Now (Format and Configure the Full Device), or Customize (you can choose how much memory you want configured for Xbox360 from the free space on the device.)
Microsoft have also partnered with SanDisk to release a Xbox 360 branded flash drive, but I guess that it will cost much more than a regular flash drive that work just fine.
On Thursday April 1st, the PlayStation 3 will be updated to firmware v3.21. But to call this an update, is a bit wrong since it actually removes a feature.
If you have a non-slim version of the PS3, this update removes the Install Other OS feature. This is not the most used feature on the PS3, but I still think it is wrong to remove a feature. If you don’t update, you miss the following featerues:
Ability to sign in to PlayStation Network and use network features that require signing in to PlayStation Network, such as online features of PS3 games and chat.
Playback of PS3 software titles or Blu-ray Disc videos that require PS3 system software version 3.21 or later.
Playback of copyright-protected videos that are stored on a media server (when DTCP-IP is enabled under Settings).
Use of new features and improvements that are available on PS3 system software 3.21 or later.
If you currently use the “Other OS” feature and you wish to update to system software 3.21, make sure you back-up any data stored within the hard drive partition used by the “Other OS,” as they will not be able to access that data following the update.
Removing this feature have upsetted a lot of gamers. The post on the European PlayStation blog have only 950 comments, while the US blog have 3600 comments (at the time of writting).
Today is the big firmware update day for Sony. The updates in them selves aren’t big, but Playstation 3 will be updated to v3.10 and Playstation Portable will get v6.10.
PS3 update 3.10 include:
The Photo category on the XMB has been revamped to make it easier to see more of your photos stored on the PS3.
The PSN Friends List has been modified based on feedback we received after update 3.00. Additionally, you can now choose a color for your PSN ID on the XMB.
PSP update 6.20:
Digital Comics Reader – PlayStation Network Digital Comics is a new service launching in December. It will allow you to download hundreds of classic and new comics from the PlayStation Store and read them page by page or frame by frame on your PSP system. Firmware update (v6.20) includes the Digital Comics reader application, which you’ll find under a new section called “Extras” on the XMB. Please note, the comic reader is an additional download; once you’ve loaded (v6.20) onto your system, simply click on the comic reader icon under “Extras” to download it to your PSP. In addition, you’ll be able to try out a free digital comic sample from the service soon. Visit www.playstationcomics.com for more information.
Export video/photo playlists – This is a new feature that allows you to export your video and photo playlists from your PC to your PSP system through Media Go. Download the latest version of Media Go (v1.3) for this and a few additional enhancements.
According to Joytstiq.com the Digital Comic Reader will be available to Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States in December. France, Italy, Germany and Spain will get it early 2010. Japan will get a manga service slightly earlier.
It’s getting closer to the next Xbox 360 Dashboard update. The new firmware will bring you four new services to the Xbox. It will let you use Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm and Zune from the Xbox 360 Dashboard. According to Xbox UK the update will come on November 17. Also there will be a public beta end of this month. If you live in UK, you will also get the Sky Player sometime this fall, which will let you watch TV on the Xbox.
If you are a heavy user of Facebook and/or Twitter, now is the time to invest in Xbox 360 Messenger Kit for text typing. I’ve been using it close to a couple of years now and it’s way better to type text than useing the controller.
For an indepth preview of the new services, you can check out Joystiq.com or watch the video from Engadget.com below.
Sony will soon release firmware v3.0 for Playstation 3. It looks like a very nice udpdate. Here is the list of what the update will contain.
“What’s New” – The “Information Board” will be replaced with a “What’s New” section, which allows you to enjoy interactive PlayStation news every time you start the PS3 system. Located under the PlayStation Network icon, “What’s New” displays the latest and greatest game, video, PlayStation Network and PlayStation news and releases, as well as your recently played games, in a sleek, new animated format.
Status Indicator – In the top right corner we’ve added an indicator bar, which displays your user icon, friend icon, the number of friends you have online and a small message icon to let you know if you have any new messages. The indicator also includes a scrolling ticker that features the latest news from PlayStation Network. In addition, when you press the PS button, the battery life indicator will no longer cover up the clock.
Friends List – Now your PlayStation Network friends will appear in a slightly redesigned format on your Friends List. Also, messages will now be viewable from each of your friends’ respective profiles.
PlayStation Store Shortcuts – We’ve added a handy shortcut icon to the PlayStation Store under both the Game and Video categories so you can access the latest content quickly and easily.
Personalization – Personalize your PS3 with new dynamic custom themes and avatars. Dynamic themes as well as free and premium avatars will be available through PlayStation Store. A dynamic theme takes your screen to a whole new level as it incorporates animated objects into the background.
Trophies – Showcasing your hard earned trophies just got better. Update 3.00 gives game developers the ability to modify how they display trophies for add-on content. Base and add-on game trophies will continue to be combined into a single list so you can see where you stand in a game as a whole. Within that list, trophies will be broken out into subcategories—base trophies and add-on trophies—that way, you can easily view the percentage of your base game trophy collection, and separately track your trophy progress in add-on packs. Look for this enhancement to be included in upcoming games.
