So let me get this straight. MS made a big deal about Facebook and Twitter, and here comes Sony and actually does it right? I.E. Trophy info, purchases games, etc.

Well done, Sony. Show MS how it's done. I can't wait until you guys are feature complete with Live. Sony will force MS' hand to make Gold Free. Or get MS to start cloud storage for save games. Something needs to happen

"It won’t, however, allow players to stream game information to their accounts like this planned PS3 firmware update."

Actually Microsoft displayed this functionality with Tiger Woods at E3 (from a development point of view, the 360 one appears to be more in depth as it relies on Facebooks application platform to do this while the Sony one seems to go through Sony first, though I'm not sure here).

@ GiftofGab
Perhaps Sony doesn't think it's that big of a deal?

I admit, it is kinda strange that Sony hasn't said anything, but I also thought it was strange that Microsoft would talk about it as much as they did.

@ the7k:

Well, since PSN is free and you don't have to pay for extra "features", you don't have to hype the hell out of it. But if you have a service that continuously looks over-priced and lacks a good amount of "exclusive features", of course you would want to hype the shit out of an addational feature that tries and help justify the price. Not saying Live is bad. I love it. But Sony has it right with allowing everyone enjoy AT LEAST multiplayer. MS needs to drop the Live price, or make just multiplayer portion free.

maybe because its not that big of a deal. for one you can use facebook on your ps3 browser already.

This is exactly what I want form FB integration. Simple automatic updates. I can do all the wall posting and message writing I want from my laptop.

ITT: We judge the 360 Fall Update before it's even released. It's been half-assed guys, I'd know because it isn't out yet! JUST TRUST ME OKAY

@KingSigy

its a nice gesture, but like most people agree, i really want that cross game chat from sony, because i've been dying to talk to my friends, who all have bluetooth headsets. The problem is the XMB currently doesn't really flow, like the dashboard does. if your playing a game your friends are playing, it notifies you, if your watching a movie, it actually says "watching a movie."

also, does anyone know in what situations the ps3 actually does background downloading of games/movies? i know it doesn't do it during dvd playback, and certain games..

TAKE THAT, XBOX LIVE!!!!!

@GiftofGab

The background downloading happens when you're not playing a game that has online play (so very few actually) also you dont need to be signed in to your account to continue to download, so you could sign out and play games without interrupting your downloads. It stops the moment you sign back in and use online multiplayer though.

Also, these features are only SOME of the things for this update so the cross game chat is still possible. I for one like the new features and even though I wont be using all of them, is nice to know they're there, maybe for future reference. It's always better to have more things...

I do not have Facebook, It looks to be 5 mimutes of ''New Toy'' excitement to Facebook users, but this makes me livid that Sony has once again delivered a app with ZERO GAMING APPLICATION like Photo Album instead of the 2 things we keep asking for: Cross Game Chat and Universal Music

I wonder why Sony isn't making a big deal about this.

- Because to Sony this ISN'T a big deal.

"Anything you can do, I can do FREE-ER"

Moan-moan-fucking-moan.

I wouldn't buy any of you lot Christmas presents.

Universal music - Assume you mean like while playing games? - (correct me if I'm wrong here) The basic system for doing so has been patented/copywritten by Microshaft, if I remember correctly. Dick move M$, dick move. PS3 developers need to put the integration into the game code, like killzone allows you to play tunes while playing multiplayer, and Wipeout HD lets you pick a playlist to go with your game, why more devs don't bother is beyond me.

Cross game chat - i wouldn't be suprised if it has the same problem. Microshaft really used that early lead they got by rushing out a borked console to put up every hurdle possible for Sony - surely you don't need to hinder your competition at every turn if you're really the best?!

Again i think we're looking at a wall of "not important in Japan" here. These things that Western gamers (xbox gamers looking to badmouth the PSN specifically) see as essential are obviously not important in the PS3's homeland or they would have been included from day 1.

I personally couldn't give a fuck about cross game chat, and not being able to listen to music blaring over the carefully created soundscapes of game doesn't bother me one bit.

I mean, guys we can video conference with friends from all over the world - superb quality too, and we don't need to pay through the fucking nose for a "special" HDD to put all of our music on, not to mention our ability to play almost any music/video file type, even straight off a USB drive.

Microshaft - see value in perceived value. Add features cheaply to increase perceived value and trick moar people into paying for LIVE.

Sony - see value in tangable features, blu-ray, blue tooth, WiFi, etc etc etc, Facebook is not a biggie, here you go, have some free Facebook.

I'm not big on facebooj but this sounds interesting aleast. Of course I'd rather Sony spend time improving the party system but I guess that's not gonna happen.

*Another Sony branded cheque falls limply from the letterbox to Sexualchocolate's doormat*

Sycophant.

I have no interest in these social network things, but I'm happy for the people who do.

Did you notice how the Chat Room link said "Text Only"?

Yeah, cross-game chat is definately on the way... maybe even in this very update.