Firmware 2.00: The Thoughts of PS3 Owners

Onaxis writes: "There has been quite some controversy over the recent detail release of tomorrow's 2.00 firmware update. If you've been keeping tabs on comments over at the official PlayStation.Blog post for the update, you'll notice a lot of unhappy faces".

[bym051d]

My thoughts? It's a horrible feature addition for a big time version change.

[mighty_douche]

i know sony didnt promise anything, including in-game XMB, but with so much hype buzzing around for so long, i would of liked sony to of squashed some of these rumours, otherwise we build it up so high, when it comes its never enough.

[Ps3Fanboy777]

Its your fault for reading stupid ass sites like this and believing the BS people post.

Im a Ps3 owner and the news feed is freakin great, now I dont have to come here!

What does the 360 have in terms of any of this? The fact you can listen to music? Whoo Hoo score... Enjoy those advertisements.

[BrianC6234]

If they didn't believe every stupid RUMOR on the Web they wouldn't be so mad. Sony never promised the updates people are upset about. There was just a bunch of rumors saying certain features would be part of 2.00. I do think this update should be number 1.95 though. It isn't enough to go up to 2.00.

[EZCheez]

Sony DID promise something as soon as they showed footage of in game XMB access years ago. They never promised it with any specific firmware update, but showing that your console is capable of doing something as specific as this is as good as a promise. I am with you 100% on this one and I don't see how so many people get off acting like we should be grateful just to get an update.

How can anyone say that in-game messaging to friends is a bad thing? And furthermore, how can anyone say we shouldn't expect it 1 YEAR AFTER RELEASE from this console when others have been doing it for two years now? Has no else seen the video of Phil Harrison demonstrating this from long ago?

Anyone on here telling people to calm down obviously does not play any online game with anyone on their friends list, because it is a HUGE pain going in and out of a game to coordinate. Take the blinders off guys. It's okay to be pissed off. If you'll never use the option, that's one thing, but don't expect people that want it to shut up until they get it.

[mighty_douche]

the only reason i can see that we dont have it, is sony is having problems with the OS footprint, or they dont wanna give us much so when home drops with all these features it'll be something really SPECIAL, and maybe help get a few more people running to the stores.

[deadshark1]

1 is in game xmb in this firmware 2.0 and 2 nice picture ikkokucrisis

[razer]

"What does the 360 have in terms of any of this? The fact you can listen to music? Whoo Hoo score... Enjoy those advertisements"

Actually, the 360 has all of these functions and has since launch. The advertisements you speak of are %99 game related or related to the 360 platform. It's not like I'm being forced to watch McDonalds commercials or something.

[PopEmUp]

that what you pay for. I mean paying 50 bucks a year to enjoy advertisement that great, btw I thought paying for something like online isn't it suppose to be ads free not full of ads right?

Back to topic

This is a great update but it a bit disappointed since the rumor are hyping about this update, but oh well it great update anyway since Sony hasn't promise anything about in games xmb access so just cheer up you guys

[fusionboxer]

In all honesty I'm happy with the update. Wait don't leave yet!

The reason I'm happy is because i'm in the extremely small percentage of ps3 owners who use the remote play feature on a daily basis.

Another reason I'm happy (well more like content) with the update is because I know for a fact that this isn't the last update. We'll get more updates soon and i'm sure everything people want will soon be implemented.

If not the 360 has what equates to an in game xmb, and background music plus many of the other features ps3 owners want so you could mess with that to tide you over, but...

Then again if your a ps3 owner then stick tight cause i know more great things are coming soon.

[TheExecutive]

Bubbles for you EZCheez... One year after the release of this console, its ok to start being pissed off because of no in-game xmb... just because it wasnt straight out promised doesnt mean it wasnt expected. It should have come with this update..

I have a feeling that this was supposed to be the HOME update and now we wont be seeing in-game XMB until spring '08 when HOME releases. This is extremely disappointing and the fanboys ought to take their blinders off. Fanboys are exactly whats wrong with this industry. A bunch of blind "I will do anything for you" chumps that think a brand can do no wrong, NO WONDER CHANGE IS SLOW.

[aaquib5]

PS3 owners are pissed, and Sony should be embarrassed. Sure, a few people will say "Sony never promised in-game XMB for 2.0." That's the problem, though. They didn't step in and break the rumours allowing them to escalate. They're still not giving us an update on in-game XMB. Sony's only response on the blog was "We're evaluating what features to add to the PS3." Pathetic, Sony. Pathetic.

[unlimited]

why is people blaming sony that this happen? I know we been begging for it for a long time..but they are working towards it..HOME got everything to do with it..PS3 owner hyped it up and in the end they dissapointed themself..Sony did not promise in game xmb.. you guys got nothing to blame but yourself...and when it does come early next year with HOME you guys should be happy..

[Snukadaman]

"If you don’t like the update leave your ps3 off, and go play the other system Xbot, you obviously only bought a ps3 for in-game XMB, oh wait you can’t play the other system because of RROD leave the blog and don’t come back, those of us who appreciate what we’re given won’t miss you!! AGAIN GREAT UPDATE SONY THX FOR ALL OF THE HARD WORK!!"

this is off the official blog...some people just dont get it...some of you make excuses for sony...its really their fault for having things that should of been in launch...well stop the rumors..say in the blog whats up...they are having problems..instead of letting things get out of hand and having people speculate on upcoming updates.....you dont think sony has seen these wild speculations on the upcoming 2.00 firmware...someone on the blog said there is no xmb because the memory running with the os would slow the whole thing up..i dont know if thats true but its possible?>

[Keyser]

It's not that serious. So it's not coming out Thursday, does that mean you're not going to get into college? Are you not going to be able to pay the rent this month? Is your mom going to stop cooking dinner?

Sure it should have been on since launch, it's not. They may be trying to get it to work better with Home. They may want to make sure it works flawlessly with all the games previously released. They may have it completed and just want to watch guys on the internet cry like chicks. I don't know but you bought the system anyway and you know they're working on it so why cry like school girls?

Go outside and chop some wood. Go to the gym and lift some weights. Go give your girl the best sex of her life and get all this frustration out.

Good times...

[TheExecutive]

Keyser... no its not devastating, but it is disappointing. People can be upset about an update to the electronic device they bought without it being life altering.

Unlimited: "they are working towards it".... 1 year and no in-game xmb... so when will we receive HOME? 2020?

[Keyser]

I understand the disappointment. I understand that the lack of it is constantly brought up by 360 fans or whoever wants to take a swipe at the PS3 but it's a small disappointment in comparison to a lot of good things about the PS3.
What system had this many hot games it's first year? What system has as much functionality and customization as the PS3? I can't think of one aside from an actual PC.

The lack of some key features of the PS3 is disappointing but it's not like the announcement from Sony was "Phuck it, we've decided it's not worth our time to put it in so...tough" Then I could understand the moans, groans, and outrage. This setback, in my opinion, is not worthy of that. (But I respect your opinion as well)

[Sam Fisher]

sony should be embarrased that sux is almost like the consumers r democrats and sony is republicans... that sux id rather pay 50$ a yr than to go thru this at least M$ got all this already from the start

[bruiser81]

why do you even care if you dont own the system, it doesnt effect you

edit: well i hope for your sake they add it by that time but lets be serious, it probably wont be added until home comes out. None of us have a choice but to wait, i would like to think theres a good reason they didnt add it. For all we know their current build crashes systems. Think of the flame storm something like that would bring. Sony is in a position where they cant afford to make mistakes so just wait

[Sam Fisher]

cuz im getting 1 in this month or christmas b/c of mgs4 and ff series thats all...so does that answer ur question?

[Peekay]

i swear, so much taken for granted this generation. Did all of you forget what it was like to play games on a Sega, Snes, or Doom on your p.c? We didn't complain as much. - game on

[Sam Fisher]

ppl get bored quick and entertainment is getting harder by the minute nobody is going to play solo games all theyre lives they need to play with ppl... so i completely understand y they r arguing... and besides play doom long and say bye bye to ur vision

@ bottom.... i meant say good bye to ur eyesight. that game is to colorful and too fast and everything is right at ur face even the explosions

[Peekay]

lol! - what do you mean "bye bye to ur vision "

anyways i can see now why some people are pissed. Still i think what i'm tryna say is that i'm happy just to be able to play on line and just to organise a game with my freinds @ a particular time (usually a day before)

[fredy]

"are you kidding me? it took you 6 freaking months to add backgrounds and remote play. bye bye sony. 360 is the way forward it would seem."

Who needs remote play, yeah it's nice but does sony think they have Nintendo DS on their hands with over 50 million sales, and lets not talk about software.

The most powerful console in the world can't have something so simple.
The 360 had many simple functions at birth. Sony you might as well copy xbox live they been there done that, or ask for some help.

should it had taken a firmware to allow backround pictures...come on, now you can change themes and colors of the font and turn on your ps3 remotly providing you have one and a network, and able to leave your ps3 on standby.

@Peekay above most fans on here are around 12-13yr and never played them consoles you speak of..

@SmokeyMcBlunt , smokey remote play is nifty, I never said some will not take advantage but the more important things sony has not given in a year. Here is what one user said about it,

"Having just bought a PSP slim I tried the remote play function the other day. It realy is a waste of space/ Its very slow even on fast links. With 4Gb + memory cards these days why do you need it? Waste of electricity."

Now that's just one but I can't imagine there are more important updates after a year fans would like then remote play when not everyone will or can use that feature but with in-game XMB everyone can enjoy that.

[SmokeyMcBear]

maybe you don't care about the remote play, but i sure as hell do, and maybe the 24 million other psp owners might have something to say about that.

[Sam Fisher]

i got a psp too id love to get my hands on a ps3 and remote play

[The Real Joker]

I am upset also. I love my PS3 just as much as my 360 but I have to say that these features would of been nice. I was very conflicted over which version of COD4 to get. I ended up going with the 360 version and I realized I had make the correct decision last night when one of my friends was playing online. I was in the middle of a match online and he messaged me to join his. I hit the center button and pressed join game under his name and I immediately went to his game and joined all without exiting the game. I usually play music as well during shooters/driving games as well.

My point being is that I wish my PS3 did the same thing. I am patient however and know it will come. I just hope it is similiar to the way the 360 does it.

[mighty_douche]

all the stuff we're crying out for will be delivered with HOME. i cant see home could function without them. home is a 'game' after all.

[Salvadore]

I also blame Sony for promising the feature in the beginning and then not release it a year later.

[Marceles]

@ Playstation.blog

"We’ve added several other features in this update. I’ll soon be back with more details with a quick video demo of some of the new features."

I'm kinda giving them hope that they're really are "several other features" that they're not saying *cough* messaging *cough*, attach videos to messages *sneeze*, in-game music *sniffle*, in-game invites *cough cough*. I'd rather have everything I want in one update then these little .1 updates they've been giving. I think the community is also mad because this is the big 2.0 update and it feels more like a 1.95 update. This can't be all...theme changes, playlists, and the new playstation ticker...it just CANT be. Just rename the update 1.95 Sony, maybe I won't be a little disappointed...

[lynx1halo]

HAVE PATIENCE PEOPLE...I CAN STILL REMEMBER HAVING TO TAKE OUT THE CARTRIDGE AND BLOW ON IT TO GET IT TO WORK ON MY NINTENDO ..LOOK AT ALL THE FEATURES WE HAVE NOW ON THIS CONSOLE..PEOPLE ARE JUST TO SPOILED NOW-A-DAYS

[lynx1hal0]

hes right

[ForROME]

My Thoughts are its s#$% 2 complaints have been heard for about a year now

In Game XMB
In Game Music

No excuse at this point a year later, Lame , stupid...SONY Gaming Division Department going into the holidays this is your first faulter 2nd would be Rumble still not included, if you had those 2 things people would run out of things to say , but now, you have given them more ammo.

[tplarkin7]

Microsoft had these features on launch day, Nov 2005. It's Nov 2007. Also remember that the original Xbox had many of these features since 2002.

[ForROME]

My Thoughts are its s#$% 2 complaints have been heard for about a year now

In Game XMB
In Game Music

No excuse at this point a year later, Lame , stupid...SONY Gaming Division Department going into the holidays this is your first faulter 2nd would be Rumble still not included, if you had those 2 things people would run out of things to say , but now, you have given them more ammo.

[info]

really I don`t get all this fuss about the XMB in game.
When you play a game, you want to immerge yourself in the experience that has been created and you`ve shelled out 60 bucks for. Why would you cut the sound off to hear your own music, given you already have your ears plugged in your ipod the remaining 60% of time you are not playing. This is mental really. I understand the annoyance of having the music stopped when you go browsing the playstation store or run your photos. Still those are details that I would not rate so high at the moment.

I prefer by far that they throw in all their resources to finish off those AAA expected games.

XMB in game is really nothing that amazing. Stop crying about it.

[mighty_douche]

next time your playing CoD4 and your buddy sends you a message, you'll understand why people want XMB

[EZCheez]

The ONLY people disagreeing with you are obviously people that don't play games with others online. Anyone that does would feel your pain. I sure as hell feel it.

[mighty_douche]

yeah dude, i come to expect it, its either that or the fanatic's, their the scary ones. screaming sony will give us XMB, music etc on 2.00 then when we get none of it, suddenly the tune changes, "yeah im 100% happy with that update, nice work sony!" strange....

[tplarkin7]

I use it for messages, viewing achievements, and playing music. There are many other features that you can access while in-game.

It's like living with a microwave oven in the home. If you've never used it, you won't understand it's value. Poor PS3 owners are stuck with a regular oven.

[Kleptic]

and as far as the music thing...developers/publishers put terrible music in racing games also...

Not everyone on the planet likes Linkin' Park...I have yet to find one racing game with music that I can actually tolerate...

I would like in game music...but can easily wait for it...in game messaging is so needed my head hurts...literally, I can't talk about it anymore...I am going to make some pizza...

[rgduhart]

1st...my disappointment comes with Sony's failure to understand or value the opinions of us PS3 owners. I, for one, didn't care as much about the in-game xmb but EVERYONE else clearly did. Sony would have to be blind to have missed this. WHy publish a survey with no intention of meeting consumer demand?

Sony should be concerned...its bad enough that they are struggling to garner popular support for their console, but they have to satisfy, if not appease, their loyal customers and early adopters.

Both promoting growth AND keeping the current proud ps3 owners happy are vital to the success of the ps3 this year. If I am looking to invest in a console and I see that those that already own the ps3 are pissed, I am definately going to be skeptical about throwing my money at Sony.

Moral of the story: Keep the loyal fans happy!!

Edit:The point is that Sony should address the demands of its PS3 core fans. The updates are great and the PS3 really has come a long way. But in its pursuit of growth Sony should also remember the PS3 faithful.Thats all. If the folks who stood in line in 06, paid the high price, and happily played resistance for the last year have specific demands that are both feasible and reasonable, Sony should make it happen.

That said, I have faith that the folks at Sony are smart enough to know this as well and will make ALL 3 a reality sometime soon. I just hope its not too late.

[Snukadaman]

why do a survey of the 3 top things ps3 owners want in their ps3...GIVE THEM ALL THREE....NOT A CHOICE BETWEEN THE 3....make the people who purchased your console happy..not voting.

[jack who]

love there crap firmware updates

[Forbidden_Darkness]

honestly if u want to listen to music and play a game, than put a cd player by ur tv, slip in a CD and listen to your cds. Sony is working on getting everything that fans wants, but it takes time to do things. 2.00 firmware update is awesome and is rightfully named so. im guessing they'll have it by the end of the year (not garunteeded, but likely) and than all the whine babies will shut up. its really annoying when they have to cry over that...

[fredy]

honestly if u want to to talk to friends while playing a game why not get their number during your XMb session then call them when you start your game.........

see where I'm going here,

that is not the point or reasons why some gamers are not happy after a year, when sony stated PSN was suppose to crush xbox live and can't get this down after a year.

[SmokeyMcBear]

well actually, i can't just put in a cd because my entertainment center surround sound is being used by my ps3. But as for the in game messaging, actually that what i do now, my buddy wants to play on warhawk or a game of madden, I'll call him up or he will and set something up, the phone is your friend.

[Charlie2688]

Lets me get this straight people are angry at Sony and the 2.00 firmware update for not fulfilling their wishful thinking and unbased rumors?

...ok

[bym051d]

No, it's not my fault for expecting something Sony didn't promise. It's Sony's for naming the firmware 2.0. Anytime you go up a whole version number you indicate a fundamental change in the software.

In this iteration, we did not see a fundamental change in the software.

[Kholinar]

Actually, we're not too sure about that.

There could be a lot that's fundamental, but not a lot that relates to current features (future ones instead).

A good example of this is in open source programming. KDE (a desktop environment for linux) is getting ready to release 4.0. There'll be some changes at release, but very little of what has been promised for the entirety of KDE 4. This is because libraries must be built and stacks prepared for all future applications to use. In 4.1 and 4.2 massive changes will be made and app after app will have new and amazing features. Without 4.0 (unglamorous as it is) none of that will be possible.

So this version may be, fundamentally, very different but it is not externally very different. Just like a toy gun is not externally very different than a real one, but the real one, fundamentally, is treated completely differently.

With no changelogs we just don't know.

[Genki]

all of the underlying details that went into this update. Although there was a press release of sorts, I think it's safe to say that we don't know what they changed beyond what's on the surface.

Perhaps the framework underwent a pretty pivotal change so they can establish some things later. Maybe a lot of it was re-written in preparation for Home, and as tightlipped as they've been about their little baby, I doubt we'd know about that. Since XMB will be available from within Home, I have no doubt that if what was done was in some way Home related, it's gotta be tied in to XMB functions as well.

This isn't to say that we should necessarily expect all of these things soon, but I agree with a poster above that we may not see certain features until Home launches.

[Marty8370]

Sony is doing a great job of updating the firmware. PS3 features have come along way since launch.

[HarryEtTubMan]

GOD ITS A BREAND NEW SYSTEM!!! GET OFF SONYS BACKS THEY AREN'T FOUCKING MICROSOFT THEY MAKE BETTER HARDWARE AND GAMES. They are doing everything they can to do all this in HOME... Tht system is so new Home isn't even out yet... give it a break and enjoy your PS3 for now. There's a Ton of sh!t coming next year.

[the worst]

i will not upgrade
why should i there no
reason to
(reply)
ill paid 4 in game music
damm it

[jack who]

but its free;)

[Ri0tSquad]

in-game xmb is coming so relax guys.

theme creater is so much better IMO.

[ikkokucrisis]

Be thankful the support is still there, and the updates are still every quarter. Last time I checked 360 updates semi annually at the most and has the Wii ever gotten updates? No previous gen console has ever had firmware updates.

Wow, it's free, and 2.0 is just a number, they could've called it anything. I like the idea of sticking to schedules releasing something quarterly than releasing nothing at all.

[Kholinar]

The wii's gotten several updates this year. Not as many as the ps3, granted, but at least 3 to 4.

I agree with your point though. It all seems a little wahmbulance-ish.

[hitthegspot]

The only reason why Sony has so many updates is because Sony releases product that's not fully ready and the updates are needed. Like Blu-ray... Give me a break Sony is so "Play Behind". At this point I'm not touching the console until Sony releases a software update for Home that includes xbm and Blu-ray 1.1 or 2.0 + a game worth playing. Without both I'll just keep on playing my 360 and wii... I hope others wake up and don't buy the console until it's ready to take a leadership roll out there...

[Kholinar]

I'm not sure if I should address this since you seem to be either really enthusiastic or a bit trollish... but...

"Blu-ray 1.1 or 2.0" The BR format is not finalized completely. I agree that's a pain and I even think that's bad planning by the BRA. However, that really doesn't apply to the PS3 because it can be updated. So basically the ps3 has the same idea as HD-DVD (network connected for easy firmware updates to any future spec).

XMB would be great to have, but I guess I really don't understand why it's so essential.

I hate to even think about the trolls out there browsing this quote: "The only reason why Sony has so many updates is because Sony releases product that's not fully ready" At least 2/3's of the console manufacturers live in glass houses where that statement is concerned.

[jack who]

i dont remmber paying for all the updates have been getting on xbl

[Kholinar]

come on guys...

I'm not ps3 fan, I only own the wii and I happen to be very interested in LBP, thus my avatar.

But seriously, firmware updates on any product are rarely about features. It's been nice that Sony's done things like that and awesome that they will continue, but firmware is generally about fixing bugs, adding streamlined code to facilitate better reliability/speed, etc.

There's no changelog that I can find, but just because only those features are mentioned doesn't mean that's all the update does. As a lot of other people are saying, Sony said nothing about this update.

Seems like there are a lot of good sony fans, but some of the vocal ones at this point just seem spoiled.

[Genki]

+1.

We've all been spoiled by the myriad of features we've seen since launch, but you're absolutely right. We should care more about things like reducing how much RAM the OS calls for and optimization.

[Jdoki]

Congratulations Internet, once again you've managed to raise our expectations on the back of rumour and speculation!! :)

[miganda]

did it ever occur to you sony fans that maybe the reason why you dont already have all these features (that are so wonderful on my 360)is because psn is free to the consumer. so sony has to pay for all these upgrades and enhancements out of there own pockets.there for the have to make real bussiness desicions on what is reasonable money wise. remember they dont make any profit off of making you greedy asses happy. and what do you give them? a load of grief. if my 360 online was free i would shut the hell up and be grateful for the wonderful service that i'm getting. i wish my network was free. you sony droids are all a bunch of spoiled over the top babies.

[d3l33t]

pay out of their pockets? Dude, I gave them that money IN THE FIRST PLACE. Memory problems you say? The solution is simple: memory swap. Use HDD space to cache the temp memory for a period of time, when the PS button is pushed again, the cache is swaped and cleared.

Second, they make PLENTY of money selling their user base to "Universal" who gets XXX many downloads of a trailer each week.

You're understanding of business models is limited at best.

[jvillan]

Why do you guys think that in-game XMB is coming with home? Home is a game... Not a service like it should be... You'll only be able to talk to friends, share videos, send messages in home, and only in home... Once you leave home it'll be the same story, you'll go play another game with no XMB.. HOME is a game that you go into, you WONT be able to talk to people who are not in home... To break it down for you guys, If I'm in HOME and you're playin COD4, we won't be able to communicate... Home is a game, where you go to talk to ppl and share videos and such, it has nothing to do with cross game invites, in game xmb, playing music while in game, so just stop gettin ur hopes up about stuff, thats all you guys do, you should've known 2.0 shown back in may was fake, I did. How can they know whats gonna be in 2.00 when they were on like 1.75 when the info was realeased

[Eidolon]

means better updates, i'd be glad to fork over $50 a year.

[VaeVictus]

"Sony dribbles left, drives, what a juke, crossover, goes for the wide open slamdunk....ohhhhh, Sony dropped the ball, they lose."

I'm a Sony fan. I know they didn't promise anything, however, there is absolutely no reason they haven't implemented this long ago. I'm still waiting to play beyond in that aspect. PSN is still < XBL featurewise, by a long shot.

The machine is great, there are great games to be played, but in order for me to enjoy it fully, I need in game xmb messaging...more than anything else.

PSP functionality can come later.

[Marceles]

Eric Lempel | November 7th, 2007 at 12:08 pm

"Wow – a lot of comments, and very quickly. Let me address a few things:

About the firmware version number – In general, we don’t wait to release new features based on a particular firmware update number. The 1.80 update, for example, was pretty substantial, including important features like DVD upscaling.

That said, this update does include valuable features that consumers have been asking for – such as the Remote Start functionality. Personally, I’m looking forward to using this feature as I’m frequently on the road – and I know a lot of you are too.

As far as other features many of you are calling for (such as in-game XMB) – SCE continues to evaluate opportunities to provide new functionality to PS3 on an ongoing basis. New features and functionality have continually been added to the system since it debuted, and we will continue to update you with new developments.

We do read your comments, and they have helped shaped previous updates – including this one."

In short, everything we want we're not getting just yet...

[TrillHeat954]

because people lack common sense and talk out of their a$$ much like they keep asking for in game xmb which is ridiculous (and unfeasible) compared to lets say something along the lines of the xbox dashboard which is what we need. (A small compact way to get messages, music etc.)

[jlytle1234]

i think what people mean when they say ingame xmb is a way to access their buddylist to send out invites and message while in game. its not like people really want to browse some photos or watch a video during a game of Warhawk.

[jlytle1234]

i was slightly dissappointed that in game xmb isnt in 2.0. but i understand that you have to have the memory available to do those features and the memory footprint for the ps3 just isnt there yet.
But i am confident it will be eventually becasue they have already demonstrated in game xmb at some game expos. And i dont blame sony for anything. They are progressivly improving the xmb with every update. I mean it plays games and thats the main thing i bought it for. everything else is a perk.

[razer]

I don't think you understand how the custom soundtrack works. If I was to put a CD on and turn down the console you can't hear the soundfx, commentary, etc.. On the 360 the only thing that is replaced is the music, so you hear all the soundfx and talking so it is truely replacing just the soundtrack. It's an awesome feature that I hope the PS3 gets one day.

[fenderputty]

I want that feature more then the ingame XMB. Even though I play online, I don't really care about messages and don't really have that many friends in my list.

I know this stuff will come as I don't think Sony has much of a choice. I'm a little let down by this although, I don't read rumors about future updates anymore. I've learned that it only disapoints. I have a feeling all this will come with Home. More waiting. heh ... at least I don't have to wait for good game anymore. I just bought ratchet and am going to buy cod4 and drakes too.

[Jrome]

Yes, we need in-game xmb.

No, everyone does not need to over react.

You guys act like it's the end of the world, we all know it will come soon. It's in demand. I love the people who come on here saying "I just might have to get a 360 now".

Seriously...shutup. If that's the type of impatient idiot you are. Then

1. Come and show me your degree in nothing, remind of how you can't do any better and shutup.

2. Go get w/e system you want, because I probably won't want to hear your whiny voice on PSN when I headshot you in COD4.

3. Just end it.

Although this is disappointing we still don't know what the other 7 are.

You guys are acting like children. We're----I'm a gamer, I like to play games, I could care less about in-game XMB being delayed a little longer so they can make it better for us. I still have my games to play and that is what gaming is all about. Even so, they are giving us some nice features like themes and stuff. That is pretty cool now you can have something different. Remote start...great feature. The only reason I don't use remote play is because I couldn't remote start. 2.0 Isn't meant to be some HUGE update. That's just what everyone wanted it to be. Plus who's to say the other 7 they haven't mentioned might not entice us.

And saying you're buying another system...or not touching the system because there is no in-game xmb? Idiotic. Sure you have to pay for xbox live...but I don't say.. "I'm not touching my xbox until xbox live is free" The games are still fun, my friends usually have them too, so we just system link. It's no big deal you guys are just famers (fake gamers). And casual gamers couldn't care less.

[The Swordsman]

My thoughts on the whole ordeal: a shot in the foot by Sony. While yes, Sony never really promised anything, what is on offer with this firmware update is just pathetic.

[Priince-KhaliiF]

I knew In-Game XMB would never come on 2.0, you guys remember the so called GAME 3.0 !!! that phil harrison was talkin about in E3 (i think it was there) ..
The In-Game XMB and Home will proberly get released with Firmwire 3.0 .. Game 3.0 laaawl

[Martini]

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. Oh wait a minute, you don't pay for it right, so what gives you right to whine about it ? You should be glad they even bother - it's not like they make money doing updates for you non paying customers.

[Dorian_D]

All the cool features were necessities but from 1.93 or 1.94(certain people) you would think .7 or .6 of an update would be amazing. In-game XMB and possible in-game music would of awesome and step forward for the ps3 experience!

[xSithx]

It's somewhat disappointing that the in game XMB isn't being implemented, but the custom themes sounds great. Either way, we have a great lineup of games recently/coming out for all platforms, which is more important than a few new features.

[Zhuk]

this update is a joke and an embarassment, Sony have really dropped the ball here. They shouldn't even think about releasing it until it has an ingame xmb

[Mr_Showtime1]

even tho sony never reli said anything about in-gmae XMB, they are apparently always listenin to our opinions and views, well they must be death then cause the general plea to them was for in-game xmb and they didnt produce the goods the least they could have done was say wer havin trouble implementing it into the system atm but we will have it just be patient , and in the month of November, dang that cant be great for holiday sales lol

[ElementX]

Go back to school, your grammar sucks.

[Mikey_Gee]

The upgrades in features (or lack there of) that I have been waiting so long for, will push my PS3 purchase off that much longer.

And it really sucks, I wanted one for Christmas, but XMB communications features is HUGE to me.

I like the function that my PSP would have, but that feature is FAR from the top of my WANT list.

Come on Sony .. I still have my $$ tucked away .... waiting (as usual)

[Skerj]

Those of you without a PS3 can easily say that "we shouldn't be whining" without fully knowing what you're talking about. PS3 firmware updates ≠ PSN and our paying or not paying. It's more akin to the SAME updates that are done on the PSP. It's a system update, you're not supposed to pay for it jackass. You don't pay for dashboard updates, you pay for Live.

That said, no this isn't what we all were expecting in the glorious 2.0 but what we were expecting was due to speculation, rumors, and our own wishes. Did they follow through on them for such a big point release? From the consensus not at all but what's there is pretty cool once all of the clamouring for ingame XMB dies down. The things we want are coming, hell they have to be if ANYONE from Sony paid attention to the blogs today. They'd have to be fools to not deliver on at least one of them on the next firmware update.

[d3l33t]

you prove a good point

[Lex Luthor]

What a dissapointment, it's bad enough updating the damn thing every 5 seconds.

PSN:BrixtonSteve

[TrillHeat954]

...

[guerojose]

Weee! More grist for all the haters. Why not this: every time there's another one of these internet storms about what the PS3 can't do, we give equal time to all of the features it has that the Wii and Xbox don't?

Where's that web browser? Or opening up the system á la Linux? Or scrollable motion-video icons? Or cool photo slideshow options? Or hi-def movies? Or free online gaming? Or something useful during system downtime, á la Folding@Home? Or remote play to/from a handheld system?

But nooooooo... Every time you point out the MANY features the other consoles lack, the response is "It has nothing to do with gaming; it's all about gaming". Well ya know what? I DO NOT WANT to check my messages, chat with friends, surf the web, make toast, or any of the other crap that people seem fixated on, at the same time that I'm in the middle of a game. If I want to do that stuff, I'll do it outside of a game. And I do not want ANYTHING stealing system resources or otherwise affecting the performance of games, even a little bit.

If it's really all about gaming then fine - let's focus on that, and to hell with the endless laundry list of nice-to-haves that some people might want, but that I do not. You think developers are whining now about "difficult to develop for"? Wait until they hear that they can't be guaranteed a certain level of performance, because of what someone MIGHT want to do from the XMB mid-game. All of that optimization for steady frame rates, etc. goes right out the window. Isn't that the whole point of a console: where the system environment is a standard, known quantity that developers can work with, and that ensures the same performance/experience for every user? Otherwise, you've got the PC mishmash (which, of course, is the exact agenda for one particular company).

I love the announced features. User-created and -shared themes is pretty cool. Remote start and remote access to content? - frikkin schweet! Playlists? I'm there!

Let every one of these hate-n-whine fests serve as a reminder of just how frequently Sony is adding to the PS3s capabilities, and stand in stark contrast to the utter silence from the other two camps.

[TheExecutive]

Are you kidding? Youre being sarcastic right? If the ps3 cant handle in-game xmb due to memory issues than it truly is an inferior console.

Oh yeah, it ISNT all about gaming. It is also about making gaming easier. THats the POINT of the XMB. According to your logic if its all about gaming then why not eliminate the XMB all together? It would free up memory, since the PS3 cant seem to handle something like in-game communication.. communication with your online friends is important.

[hadouken007]

downloading now

[dork0783]

XBOX LIVE IS STILL THE KING.SONY HAS A LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OONNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGG way to go LOL.

[guerojose]

Spoken like a true "dork", who's probably never personally seen any of the capabilities of the XMB or the PSN.

$Cha-ching!$

[god_o_war]

another thing is that most of ps3 exclusives use big sound productions with their foley studios and orchestras or what ever they had i think they didn feel it to be fair when companies such as factor 5 and ninja theory and nughty dog went through all this jus to be cancelled out by metallica or what ever people listen to wile playing...

[SOLDADO206]

Now even some sony fans see how totally blind sony fanboys can be.

[freakyzeeky]

I think it's a nice update, but it should have been the 1.9 FW. This update isn't really 2.0 worthy. :(

[TheExecutive]

I, personally, am pissed. Its been a year now and they cant provide an in-game XMB? give me a break. The "its coming" bs is a moot point now. Either give us in-game or dont. The "but its free" comments are made by fanboys and idiots. Sorry, but I am not buying the FUD. One of the selling points of the PS3 is that online is free. Does that mean that it should suck terribly? NOPE.

If you are going to provide a service for free and use it as a selling point then you ought to provide a service comparable to the competition. 2.0 is a waste of my time. Gamers dont care about f*cking themes and other such sh*t. I want to be able to talk to my friends playing motorstorm while I am playing COD:4.

[guerojose]

"Gamers dont care about f*cking themes and other such sh*t. I want to be able to talk to my friends playing motorstorm while I am playing COD:4."

Speak for yourself, "gamer". What the hell is it, exactly, that you want to talk to your friends about, when you're each in the middle of a different game? Sharing recipes? Christ - get a cell phone! You're the only one who cares about such f*cking sh*t. Get over it, already.

@53, below:
"This stuff is not easy to program in, MS made it look easy because they are a software firm, but there is complexed programming involved."

HA! If software's so easy for MS, then why can't they provide all the functionality that the PS3 does??? They've been out a full year longer. I agree that this stuff isn't trivial, and when I look back over the last year, I see plenty that Sony's been able to add. But take a good look at the abortion of an OS that Windows still is after all these years, then tell me what a great software company MS is. And frankly, anybody that would rather have their console manufactured by a software company, as opposed to an ELECTRONICS company that makes things that ACTUALLY WORK, needs to have their head examined.

[guitarfanboy]

The PS3 is fully capable of doing all the things we want it to do. Sony is acting like Nintendo right now, or they are stupid.

[Mr Marbles]

This stuff is not easy to program in, MS made it look easy because they are a software firm, but there is complexed programming involved. Be patient, it will happen eventually, especially now that everyone is showing their outrage, they will have to react. Keep in mind Home is likely to be pushed back again, so I think we will see this before Home.