PS3 3.0 Firmware Update

The PS3 Slim is now out in the wild, and the latest firmware update, PlayStation 3 3.0 has been released along side of it. PS3 3.0 is the most robust firmware update thus far and features a number of functional and visual improvements over previous versions.

Here is a complete rundown of all the new features, changes, and improvements included in the new PlayStation firmware update 3.0.

PS3 Firmware 3.0 New Features/Functions List

Multi-Audio - PlayStationites can now have their PS3's pump out audio to multiple sources at once. You can reach option under [Settings] > [Sound Settings] > [Audio Multi Output]. This would allow you to output to both your TV and surround sound deck and use the audio from one or the other without having to change cables. I'm sure we will soon see additional creative uses for PS3 Multi-Audio out.New Video Content Playback Controls - While playing videos, users will now be able to use their PlayStation 3's DualShock 3 or SixaxiS controller's right analog stick to play content in slow playback, fast reverse, and fast forward. Think of it as a new speed stick for PS3 video playback.Settings Descriptions - Making the system far easier to understand, below each setting option there is a small (literally) description of what each function does.Brand New Start Up Logo - The PS3 logo now looks less like the Spider-Man one and more like the PS2 one. Sony and co. now refer to the PS3 as the PlayStation 3, and not the PLAYSTATION 3, as they used to. The new PS3 start up logo is part of a larger attempt to bring the PS3 back under the PlayStation brand as part of the family of Sony gaming products.Copy and Paste - Copying and pasting is now supported in the internet browser as well as messaging.Internet Browser Screen Capture - You can now take screenshots of images and web pages displayed through your PS3. To do so press the triangle button and select save screenshot under the file option.Internet Connection Speed Test - Check your internet connection upload/download speed. Go to [Network Settings] > [Internet Connection Test] Custom Remote Play Settings - Manually set a device (such as a PSP system) to be used for remote play. * New Avatar Support - Support for future additions of PSN avatars has been added. No new avatars have been added along with the firmware. However the support is there. * "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. Possible Problems? The new firmware, however, received universal praise, with some claiming that it has caused their PlayStation 3's to malfunction.

While yet to be confirmed, PlayStation forums are starting to see more and more stories about the new PS3 firmware 3.0 update causing problems, for both games and hardware.

Some have complained that PS3 3.0 causes the game Uncharted: Drake's Fortune to crash the system, forcing PlayStation 3 owners to have to physically turn off the system to get it to reboot (yikes!). Others have posted online of 3rd party controllers, and even a few DualShock 3's not functioning properly after installing PS3 3.0.

It should be noted that neither complaint seems to be frequent nor well documented. However, I would not be surprised to see an update (PS3 Firmware 3.10?) fairly soon, to address the rumors if nothing else.

View the original article here

Fixing Homebrew After Update

From time to time someone emails me to say their child or a friend updated their Wii operating system, resulting in the loss of the Homebrew Channel. How, they ask, can they get their homebrew back.Answer:

An accidental upgrade is most likely to happen if someone plays a game that includes an update check and you haven't disabled Wii's update checking. It can also happen if you have WiiConnect24 enabled, as this will automatically install any system updates released by Nintendo.

Updates 4.2 and 4.3 were both specifically designed to kill homebrew. If you have lost homebrew but can still use your Wii, be happy about that, because sometimes the updates have made Wiis unusable.

The first question is, what have you upgraded to? The latest upgrade as I write this is 4.3, but if you were updated by an older game you might wind up with 4.2 or even something older. To find out what version of the operating system you have, go into Wii Options, click on "Wii Settings" and check the number on the upper right corner of that screen. That's your OS version.

If you're lucky, it will say 4.2 or less. In that case, go to Bannerbomb which has two versions of its homebrew software, one for 3.0 through 4.1 and one for 4.2. Download the appropriate version and use my homebrew installation guide to get things working again. Please note that I have not tried the 4.2 software, nor have I tried reinstalling homebrew onto a system from which it was deleted , so I can make no guarantees as to the result.

Things are not as rosy if you have 4.3, although hopefully at some later date Bannerbomb will release another update. In the meantime, there are ways to do it if you have certain games; check out this link and click on one of the "Any System Menu" choices to see how.

If you manage to get homebrew back, make sure to turn off update checks and disable WiiConnect24 in Wii Settings so this doesn't happen again.

View the original article here

Fixing Homebrew After Update

From time to time someone emails me to say their child or a friend updated their Wii operating system, resulting in the loss of the Homebrew Channel. How, they ask, can they get their homebrew back.Answer:

An accidental upgrade is most likely to happen if someone plays a game that includes an update check and you haven't disabled Wii's update checking. It can also happen if you have WiiConnect24 enabled, as this will automatically install any system updates released by Nintendo.

Updates 4.2 and 4.3 were both specifically designed to kill homebrew. If you have lost homebrew but can still use your Wii, be happy about that, because sometimes the updates have made Wiis unusable.

The first question is, what have you upgraded to? The latest upgrade as I write this is 4.3, but if you were updated by an older game you might wind up with 4.2 or even something older. To find out what version of the operating system you have, go into Wii Options, click on "Wii Settings" and check the number on the upper right corner of that screen. That's your OS version.

If you're lucky, it will say 4.2 or less. In that case, go to Bannerbomb which has two versions of its homebrew software, one for 3.0 through 4.1 and one for 4.2. Download the appropriate version and use my homebrew installation guide to get things working again. Please note that I have not tried the 4.2 software, nor have I tried reinstalling homebrew onto a system from which it was deleted , so I can make no guarantees as to the result.

Things are not as rosy if you have 4.3, although hopefully at some later date Bannerbomb will release another update. In the meantime, there are ways to do it if you have certain games; check out this link and click on one of the "Any System Menu" choices to see how.

If you manage to get homebrew back, make sure to turn off update checks and disable WiiConnect24 in Wii Settings so this doesn't happen again.

View the original article here

UK Chart: He's Back, Baby! [UPDATE] News

Following the much publicised and satirised development woes of Duke Nukem Forever - which started its life 14 years ago at 3D Realms before it was concluded at Gearbox Software over the last year or so - the game finally launched in the UK this week and managed to perch itself at No.1 in the charts.

According to official Chart Track figures, Xbox 360 was the leading platform for sales with 56% of the spread, while the PS3 version tallied 30% and PC notched-up 14%. DNF supersedes LA Noire atop the charts, which had held the No.1 spot for three weeks running since it launched last month.

Reviews have slowly been rolling out across the net for DNF following its release on Friday, although the slow uptake of reviews and apparent lack of a uniform embargo are consistent with the fact that 2K Games is yet to send us a copy of the game. A brief stroll over to Metacritic reveals that scores so far have been unfavourable to say the least - DNF is set to launch in the US tomorrow.

Two other new releases managed to reach the top 10 this week, with Sony's inFamous 2 and THQ's Red Faction: Armageddon landing at No.4 and No.8 respectively.

Despite a two position drop to No.7, Bethesda and Splash Damage's Brink only saw a 1% drop in sales. We reviewed the game this week after the multiplayer-focused shooter suffered teething problems in its first month after launch - you can find Andy Alderson's verdict here.

Duke Nukem ForeverLA NoireZumba FitnessinFamous 2LEGO: Pirates of the CaribbeanDiRT 3BrinkRed Faction: ArmageddonCall of Duty: Black OpsPortal 2

Update: Correction, we just received a retail copy of Duke Nukem Forever through from 2K Games and our review is officially forthcoming. Expect it towards the end of the week...

~ Quoting ~

Media Molecule Stepping Away From LittleBigPlanet [UPDATE] News

Speaking at the GameLab conference in Barcelona, Media Molecule Executive Producer, Siobhan Reddy has stated that the studio is distancing itself from the LittleBigPlanet series that it created back in 2008 and moving on to pastures new.

"We're stepping away from Little Big Planet to focus on some new ideas," Reddy said at GameLab according to a tweet from EDGE.

LittleBigPlanet 2 launched at the start of this year to a solid 8/10 from us, while the next instalment in the series is a PlayStation Vita title that's due to launch sometime next year.

As with the previous PSP spin-off in the series (which was developed by SCE Cambridge), this latest handheld version is being outsourced to Swedish developer,Tarsier, with co-development responsibilities being handled by Double Eleven, a studio formed by a group of ex-Rockstar devs based in Middlesbrough, England.

Update: A spokesperson for Media Molecule has now clarified the situation over on the LittleBigPlanet forums:

"Yes - we at Mm are currently in the process of thinking of new ideas and new crazy things we want to make for you to play, in order to do that, we need to take a step back from LittleBigPlanet. But we are not vanishing from your lives and nor is LBP - I'll get some more detail on that for you shortly, but for now DON'T PANIC!" said James Spafford, Media Molecule's Community Manager.

Thanks to the anonymous tipster on the comments board below.

~ Quoting ~