Sony has sent word that the latest PlayStation 3 firmware update will be released today. The PS3 firmware 1.8 will add upscaling of PSOne and PS2 games as well as DVD movies up to 1080p resolution. Along with that, standard definition content can also be viewed in a pulsating HD-quality experience.
They also confirmed that PSP firmware update will be released by the end of the month. This, along with PS3 firmware update 1.8 will let gamers Remote Play on their device via the internet. After the update, DLNA-enabled devices will be able to stream media content (photos, videos, and music) to the PS3.
Along with all this, gamers will be able to copy saved data from PlayStation or PlayStation 2 format software stored on their PS3 system to a Memory Card using their PS3 system and a Memory Card Adaptor. They will also be able to print digital photos stored on a PS3’s hard drive or inserted storage media. As of now, select Epson printers connected via USB are compatible. Sony has also added a new type of slideshow for displaying photos, zoom functionality and the choice to crop images.
Peter Dille, SVP, Marketing, SCEA says, “As adoption of HDTVs continues to pitch, we know that customers are hungry for content, and this latest firmware update influences the PS3’s technology to deliver an HD-quality experience using the entertainment media already in your collection. In addition, we persist to improve the PS3’s capabilities as an entertainment hub, giving consumers the option to bring their content with them on-the-go, or to stream photos, videos, and music stored on their PC to the PS3 in their living room. That’s often where the largest TV monitors and sound system is located, giving consumers the most favorable entertainment experience.”
It is a good thing that Sony has added more features related to the old PlayStation and PS2 as well as movies, as games for the PS3 are scarce. The new update will at least allow PS3 users to experience decent entertainment for some time till new games start pouring in the second half of 2007.