Firmware 3.10 Today?
Facebook arriving today?Published 18/11/2009 at 11:30 by Raen
Facebook On PS3: A Review [32]
Firmware 3.10 Does Things Properly [33]
Firmware 3.10 Adds Dutch TV [49]
In a move that clearly has nothing to do with Microsoft’s Autumn update – you know the one that includes social networking – launching yesterday, 1UP are reporting that Sony are releasing firmware 3.10 – you know the one that includes social networking – today. It seems that in an interview with Eric Lempel, Sony’s network operation director, he revealed the date as well as a host of information about the update’s history and the future of social networking on the PS3. (Note: The rest of this article focuses on social networking, because that’s what Lempel talked about. To read about the rest of the update take a gander over here).
According to Lempel the update has “…been in the works for quite some time,”. This may just be me being cynical but my guess is that the social networking features have been in the works since roughly a few hours after Microsoft announced it at E3. In fact there’s no ‘may’ about it, that was pretty cynical. To be honest though it really does seem that Sony have done a better job of integrating Facebook into the service. Whilst I haven’t used the 360 client, the lack of integration for things like achievements (whilst Sony have trophies integrated) does make the 360 client look a little weak in comparison. On the upside I guess that the 360 application allows for posting friend invites to the service, which does actually seem like a pretty cool idea.
Whilst some seemed a little disappointed that the game events feature of the PS3’s Facebook integration not being live yet, Lempel confirmed that tools for building that into games – and hopefully patching it into existing games trophies style – have gone out to first-party developers, so hopefully that’ll be coming soon for Sony’s exclusive titles.
Finally he called this update “stage one” of the PS3’s social networking integration, with Sony looking to develop a “communications feedback loop” where comments on the automated posts from the PS3 coming back into the PS3. Or something like that, this seemed like slightly vague “wouldn’t it be cool” thinking, but that might just be me. Oh and apparently they’re looking into integrating over networks such as Raptr. Guess they’ve never heard of Twitter then.
Source: 1UP
Thanks to Snebjnr and w3r3w0lf
Comments
Please note that all comments are the opinion of the individual author and not TheSixthAxis.
nofi | 18/11/2009 11:38
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I’m wondering when Sony will remember that the PS3 is a games machine.
scavenga | 18/11/2009 11:39
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Exactly.
carlosfilippsen | 18/11/2009 11:44
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I dont see a reason why I would want to share stupid trophy info and what I downloaded on my PS3 with my facebook friends. But its good to see sony working on new things. I hope they make a proper facebook for PS3 so that you can look through your friends, leave comments, upload photos and stuff just like Microsoft did on the 360.
ultimatepunchrod | 18/11/2009 14:29
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i dont know, i think this could be interesting. i think it would bug/baffle my non-gaming facebook buds but whatever. and since God of War III is coming in March, i would say that they remember its a console.
BadBoyBoogie | 18/11/2009 16:07
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I can’t say that I’ll be using the FB auto status update feature…most of my FB friends don’t even have a PS3 !!
dnbob | 18/11/2009 17:27
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well it isn’t really considering it does blu-ray, dvd, music, photos etc.. but i get wot ur sayin, nothin rong with facebook tho, only the minority that have the internet dont use it these days
Bilbo_bobbins | 18/11/2009 11:45
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yep, all this add on rubbish for my PS3 I don’t want. I want to play games not visit facebook or whatever. I can do that at work or when I am on my pc.
carlosfilippsen | 18/11/2009 11:46
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Wheres the important stuff like cross game chat?
ultimatepunchrod | 18/11/2009 14:29
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you dont have to use the feature
Bilbo_bobbins | 18/11/2009 14:50
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I wont use the feature, as I said. I just don’t want extra icons clogging up my XMB, but then again I have no choice. Like Playstation Home, I would rather delete the icon, but can’t.
Raen | 18/11/2009 11:58
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I’m wondering when Sony will remember that you announce stuff in press releases. Or possibly those fancy blogs they’ve got.
Ed the Penguin | 18/11/2009 12:02
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They don’t advertise it as a just games machine though, and never have as far as I can recollect.
Raen | 18/11/2009 12:05
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Exactly. You make it sounds like that’s a good thing.
Aitrus | 18/11/2009 12:15
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It only does everything!
Bilbo_bobbins | 18/11/2009 14:51
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It only does everything, you don’t want it too
double-o-dave | 18/11/2009 15:41
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Exactly, why is everyone moaning about Facebook being a feature. Its a good thing, wasn’t the PS3 first advertised as a multimedia entertainment system, not just a games machine – So why all the moaning?! I don’t use Facebook but a lot of people do and will like the new feature so good on them, well done Sony. People are just moaning for the sake of it! Jesus, cut them some slack!
Tuffcub | 18/11/2009 12:10
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Exactly what can they do to make it “More” of a games machine? It plays games, after that its up to publishers to create them. I dont get what you on about unless it’s cross game chat which we know were getting.
FRUIT0FDOOM | 18/11/2009 15:01
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More games/Better support to developers to help get better results when porting code/Better dedicated servers/Unifying the regions so Europe/Asia/USA don’t miss out on stuff/Automatic Trophy Sync after each unlock are just a few off the top of my head……oh and party chat :-p
Tuffcub | 18/11/2009 15:05
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More games is out of Sonys hands. They do support developers, show some evidence they dont. You’re never going to get the regions unified as each one is covered by different laws. Semi Naked babes may be fine in Britain but naked women in Saudia Arabia is not a good idea. If you unified them all you would do is have to wait until the last region was ready to roll, so that means Japan and America would always be waiting for us. Not going to happen is it. Trophies Sync – yes i dont see why that hasnt happened.
Vandix | 18/11/2009 15:06
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@Fruit, I agree with better support for third party devs, better PSN and Unifying the regions… But more games? I barely have time to play all the games I have atm…
FRUIT0FDOOM | 18/11/2009 15:19
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@Vandix – I know there is loads, but i want more for both systems. Looking at the 2010 releases for both is a smidge depressing. Still plenty of time i guess.
@Tuffcub – I’ve read numerous articles stating Sony pledge to give more support to developers (at a cost too) and that it is much needed. I’m not knocking the PS3 here as it is a beast under the bonnet, but it is a case of “here developers, have this uber console to make games on, now figure it all out yourself”. Maybe it was ‘cos Sony were too busy pushing its Blu Ray movies capabilities, i don’t know. But reading about it online gives me the impression Sony have pretty much just let the developers do as they wish/figure it out on their own unless they are willing to drop some dollar.
Vandix | 18/11/2009 15:27
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About the Devs thing… I do have some insider info from a big dev, that Sony should inform third party devs on how the PS3 actually works… If you know what I mean…
FRUIT0FDOOM | 18/11/2009 15:28
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@Tuffcub – not the same article i read but a quick Google brings up the same story: http://www.develop-online.net/news/28493/Sony-promises-better-developer-support The PS3 is simply a bitch to code for and cross platform game quality backs that up. It is a trade off for potentially better games (MGS4/Uncharted 2/Killzone 2 are all unrivalled on competitiors systems) but not very developer friendly. The PS3 is doing really well now, but still showing signs of cross platform games being of lesser (perhaps not game ruining) quality. Imagine if Sony had offered full support to developers from the off – I think it would be a case of “what happened to the 360″.
w3r3w0lf | 18/11/2009 12:25
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So are you complaining about this f/w and saying that Sony (and Microsoft?) should stick to concentrating on gaming, because here:
http://www.thesixthaxis.com/2009/11/17/lunchtime-discussion-do-consoles-really-need-social-apps/
you say the opposite(and i quote) “I’m quite happy with my consoles moving away from gaming, actually”
nickerton | 18/11/2009 15:09
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PWNED! +1
MrBilly | 18/11/2009 16:25
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gamoc wrote that article not Raen, i just it’s just a matter of opinion
w3r3w0lf | 19/11/2009 07:30
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@MrBilly
True, but Nofi started this one with “I’m wondering when Sony will remember that the PS3 is a games machine” and then in the article that i linked to he said “I’m quite happy with my consoles moving away from gaming, actually”.
gnipper | 18/11/2009 12:29
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thing is nofi we all know that, but if you look at the early marketing and actually some of the more recent marketing, its almost been sold as a media “hub” rather than a games machine
hazelam | 18/11/2009 14:33
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i’m wondering when sony will remember they also sell the ps3 in europe
Geachie | 18/11/2009 16:39
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Exactly mate. I want to play games not go on social networking sites. Thats what i have a pc for.
scavenga | 18/11/2009 11:39
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Finally, I can automate my facebook updates about what I’m doing on my PS3!
*facepalm*
Of course, we can double up by using Twitter
*facepalm*
KeRaSh | 18/11/2009 11:45
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Wasn’t the EU PSN Video Delivery Service supposed to ship with the Firmware Update? Any word on that?
Matherz | 18/11/2009 12:09
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I would have thought so.
Was only this morning that I saw a PS3 advert which advertised the playstations ability to download movies so I would assume it will be out sooner rather than later, otherwise that is just false advertising.
nofi | 18/11/2009 11:47
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News soon – it’s under wraps the moment, sorry.
gazo69 | 18/11/2009 12:31
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Stop it………
Raen | 18/11/2009 12:41
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But it’s fun
Danny-c-2k9 | 18/11/2009 12:25
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Eu video on demand service is definitly coming somtime in november it was confirmed via a e-mail I got from Sony, Why don’t they make a firmware what improves the graphics a little more in gameplay and why can’t we download game patches in the background? Can’t be that hard to do that, I hope vod service is not a case of delay, delay and delay like “playstation home”
BoyDay | 18/11/2009 12:27
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This update coming out today would make sense if the rumour the other week about the video store coming tomorrow is true (I know you said you thought that date was wrong and it’d be next week).
If this update does come today AND the video store tomorrow (both of which I doubt), then I’ll eat my hat with ketchup.
JamboGT | 18/11/2009 12:34
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The video store was up last night for a few minutes,, should really have taken a screenshot…
Danny-c-2k9 | 18/11/2009 12:28
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In the latest firmware I’m guessing they will get the ps3 ready for the vod service and when they update the servers they will unlock it on ps store, that’s my guess
Vandix | 18/11/2009 13:01
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Saw some interesting thing for the Netherlands on the blog… Firmware 3.1 also bring NOS video… and PlayTV, but that could just be because the screen shot was from a test PS3…
deepmenace | 18/11/2009 13:22
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ah stop moaning. this’ll sell more consoles to the general populous than an A* game. remember it’s you informed dudes that are the minority.
Tuffcub | 18/11/2009 13:35
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Informer, You know say daddy me snow me-a (gonna) blame, A licky boom-boom down, ‘Tective man he say, say Daddy Me Snow me stab someone down the lane, A licky boom-boom down
Vandix | 18/11/2009 13:38
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Good song!
nickerton | 18/11/2009 15:11
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LOL
slates16 | 18/11/2009 13:43
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i’m just after getting this update and can’t see any changes!! any ideas anyone?
duncanuaz | 18/11/2009 13:52
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how did you get it? my ps3 is still telling me that 3.01 is the most current. I’m not even on facebook, I’m just a firmware junkie.
slates16 | 18/11/2009 13:54
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shite, it might of been that one i got! there was defo a 3 and a 1 in it! oops sorry!!
ps how do i check what firmware i’m on just to be sure?
Watchful | 18/11/2009 13:55
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Go to Settings->System Information on the XMB.
Cort | 18/11/2009 13:58
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FW updates aren’t rushed out at several days notice; unless Sony had insider information about the release date how did they know FB on 360 was coming before MS announced the precise day?!
And by the way, Sony announced FaceBook before MS: the former in March (a Koller interview, which cleary TSA missed), the latter at E3. Looks like it was MS who’ve rushed out theirs to counter Sony’s idea, after all…..
Cort | 18/11/2009 14:10
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http://www.vg247.com/2009/04/09/koller-ps3-facebook-integration-coming-sooner-than-you-might-think/
SCE announced (quietly) Facebook for PS3 three months before MS alledgedly came up with the idea first. Time to issue a retraction and small apology, perhaps….
Raen | 18/11/2009 14:31
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So you’re saying the day’s difference, with Sony announcing the FW date at basically no notice, has nothing to do with the MS release at all?
Cort | 18/11/2009 14:45
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Look at the article. The accusation is that Sony only got interested in FaceBook for the PS3 after MS announced it for 360 at E3 in June. The truth of the matter (not a vague assumption based on zero evidence) is that SCE said they were working on it three months before MS mentioned it at E3!! Consequently the article should be corrected and the insinuation that Sony copied MS on this one should be withdrawn.
Quote from the above article: “According to Lempel the update has “…been in the works for quite some time,”. This may just be me being cynical but my guess is that the social networking features have been in the works since roughly a few hours after Microsoft announced it at E3. In fact there’s no ‘may’ about it, that was pretty cynical.” Looks like it’s your writer who is the cynical one; he’s assumed his assumption is fact and should issue a retraction.
My other point is that it is not certain SCE timed its FB release to coincide with MS’ own release of the feature; MS only dated it very recently, and FW updates are rarely prepared that quickly. Clearly SCE have been working on it for some time; perhaps it was MS who rushed their feature to try and trump Sony, yes?
Raen | 18/11/2009 14:58
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Um yes, I admitted I was being cynical in the article. I said “heh look at me I’m being cynical over here”. The phrase “my guess” also implies it is not fact, that’s what a guess means.
And no, I didn’t say it was certain. It was speculation. I never said the Firmware was rushed, even if they’d only been preparing since June they would have had plenty of time to have had the features ready and tested so they could launch at the same time as MS.
Cort | 18/11/2009 15:03
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Er, but you finished your point with “In fact there’s no ‘may’ about it, that was pretty cynical.”, clearly asserting that it was *fact* that Sony only got interested in FB for PS3 shortly after MS’ announcement. At no point in the article do you include the (true) fact that SCE announced it three months before MS, thus rendering your “guess” a bit silly and in the face of clear evidence to the contrary.
Raen | 18/11/2009 15:07
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No, I was asserting that I was being cynical, not that it was a fact.
“This may just be me being cynical”
“In fact there’s no ‘may’ about it, that was pretty cynical.”
I was simply stating that it wasn’t simply a case that my opinion wasn’t just maybe cynical, it was in fact entirely cynical. I wasn’t stating that my opinion was fact at all.
JamboGT | 18/11/2009 15:11
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Cort, I think you mixed up the cynicism as being Sony’s rather than Raen’s. Once you read it the other way it shows up fully as an opinion piece.
FRUIT0FDOOM | 18/11/2009 15:12
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@Cort I think you will find that; “In fact there’s no ‘may’ about it, that was pretty cynical” is simply stating that he acknowledges there was no question about being cynical, not that it was fact! An interesting read Raen and one that prompts an interesting topic – is both parties copying ideas a good thing? I think so and it should help to improve both systems, meaning no one system is left too far behind. Competition is good, and “IF” MS were working on Facebook integration first and that prompted Sony to do so – great! – now we all have Facebook!
Cort | 18/11/2009 15:13
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It doesn’t read like that at all (and I’m sure others will read it as I do) but I am duty bound to take your word for it as I have no reason or right to call you a liar. But if you do choose to update the article with a reference to the Koller interview that predates MS’ announcement by several months that will help the situation and place your comments in context. After all, it does turn out that your guess was wrong.
Gamoc | 18/11/2009 15:16
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Nope, it reads exactly like Fruit/Raen/etc say. Because we can read.
Tuffcub | 18/11/2009 15:17
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Ladies! Handbags down!
Raen | 18/11/2009 15:18
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I freely admit my guess may have been wrong as to who was working on it First. While Sony may have come up with the idea, they certainly weren’t working on it as April 8th as the update on this Joystiq article shows http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/08/mi6-ps3-to-facebook-integration-coming-quicker-than-some-may-t/
‘”SCEA contacted us with this statement to clarify: “There’s nothing imminent in the pipeline between PS3 and Facebook or any social media sites. The point Koller was making is that the day when the console market in general will have tighter integration with social media isn’t too far off. SCEA is always evaluating opportunities that might expand where and how the PS3 community interacts.”‘
That’s a clarification on the comments that Koller gave which you’re quoting.
Cort | 18/11/2009 15:19
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Happy to accept I read it wrong, and apologies to Raen if I offended, but others should be prepared to accept that the original opinion as featured in that statement has no basis in fact, “OpEd” or not. After all, that *is* the point of my response to this article.
Cort | 18/11/2009 15:25
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Raen, don’t be naughty. We all know that “retractions” and “clarifications” of earlier statements are usually confirmations or feeble attemps to control expectations. I’m sure you see more PR-issued denials and clarifications a year than you have hot dinners, 99% of which later turn out to be true. Indeed, aren’t such things a running joke in the industry?
slates16 | 18/11/2009 13:59
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yeah 3.01 sorry!
gordon_strange | 18/11/2009 19:58
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haha i’d just got through reading the above, and then your comment made me chuckle, as i had wondered if you’d realised what firmware you had yet
minerwilly | 18/11/2009 14:47
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I don’t want all the Girls on my Facebook to know that I am a bit of a sad gamer ! So i hope there is a way not to show trophies etc !
FRUIT0FDOOM | 18/11/2009 14:54
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I couldn’t give a crap who came out with what first! What i do care about is seeing PSN made more robust and both parties throwing more wieght into a really good 2010 line up. We choose consoles for the simplicity in gaming with them, at this rate we will do a full swing back round to them being PCs again.
Cort | 18/11/2009 15:09
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I don’t give a crap who though of it first. I don’t give a crap that we can now use it. I do give a crap about articles which contain false accusations, ignore readliy-available facts and are likely to provide fodder to fanbois.
skibadee | 18/11/2009 15:08
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nice grab that then