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Long-awaited PS3 firmware v2.40 is live photo

It’s finally here, fellow PS3 owners. The granddaddy of all firmware updates doesn’t seem to have an appropriately significant revision number attached to it (you’d think they would’ve at least called this one v2.50), but regardless, its feature set will surely bring all the boys (and girls) to the yard.

In case you’re a bit behind the curve and aren’t aware of what the v2.40 update will allow you to do, check out parts one and two of Sony’s official video walkthrough for the update, as well as the update’s FAQ, all of which were posted on the PlayStation.Blog yesterday. The update went live at midnight EDT.

I just downloaded and install the update myself. For such a huge (at least in terms of features) update, it took a very short time to download -- about two and a half minutes for me (and I’m on wireless). The seminal system software update took around three minutes to install. As for Sony’s official list of what the update brings -- as was displayed before installation of the update -- I’ve transcribed it verbatim, and you can see it after the jump.

Well, what are you waiting for? Go download and install v2.40, then sit back, relax, pop in GTA IV, and message your friends while you’re getting serviced by hookers. Speaking of which, the image above is a photo I took while accessing the XMB during GTA IV. And for everybody who was complaining, GTA IV automatically pauses when you hit the PS button.

Main Features Revised in System Software Version 2.40

The [Friends] category has been redesigned. Also, the number of people who can be added as Friends has been increased to 100.

A trophy feature has been added. You can now collect trophies for games that support this feature. To see your trophies, go to [Game] > [Trophy Collection]. To see a Friend’s trophies, go to the Friend’s [Profile].

During gameplay, you can exchange messages with Friends or view trophies. You can perform these functions from the XMB™ (XrossMediaBar) screen that is displayed when you press the PS button.

You can now perform an Internet keyword search directly from the XMB™ screen. To use this feature, go to [Network] > [Internet Search].

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59 comments | showing # 1 to 50

Scrixx's Avatar
Scrixx at 07/01/2008 23:45
YES OH YES!! GOD DAMNIT YES!

Wait I don't have a ps3. FUCK.
scottoid's Avatar
scottoid at 07/01/2008 23:49
just installed it, freakin epic. 360 who???
pG99's Avatar
pG99 at 07/01/2008 23:51
This and Chrono Trigger DS have made this a glorious day
freker's Avatar
freker at 07/01/2008 23:52
Kick ass! Yeah!
Celdurant's Avatar
Celdurant at 07/01/2008 23:55
Best part of this update is probably the added clock on the XMB for me. Now I can end my late nights of gaming on a timely basis~

Oh, and that in-game XMB jazz is okay too.
thisissami's Avatar
thisissami at 07/01/2008 23:56
what?!?! you can't change the sound output while playing a game?!?! that completely defeats the purpose of having in-game XMB in my opinion... i just downloaded it and it says i have to quit the game to access any settings... a lot of times i'll pop in a movie, and want to switch the output to optical instead of HDMI so i can listen through my surround sound instead of the TV so i don't have to quit the game... in game XMB was supposed to remedy this!!! nooooooo!
Kalmah's Avatar
Kalmah at 07/01/2008 23:57
I came
Alexradl's Avatar
Alexradl at 07/02/2008 00:01
Wow, when they said wednesday they meant wednesday. Downloading it now!
RonBurgandy2010's Avatar
RonBurgandy2010 at 07/02/2008 00:06
Hey is that "listen to your music" thing in it? Just want to make sure.
Samit Sarkar's Avatar
Samit Sarkar at 07/02/2008 00:07
@thisissami: According to the firmware v2.40 FAQ that was posted on the PlayStation.Blog yesterday, you can change sound options in-game. However, this still doesn't help you; in-game XMB is just that, in-game -- it only works during PS3 games at the moment.

But the PS3 will remember playback locations of movies. So you can just hit O to completely stop playing a movie and quit out to the XMB, change whatever settings you want, and hit X in the Video tab to start the movie again...right where you left off.
Nick Chester's Avatar
Nick Chester at 07/02/2008 00:08
Can we get some info on 2.5?
RonBurgandy2010's Avatar
RonBurgandy2010 at 07/02/2008 00:09
Wait, never mind, found it in the FAQ.
CWal37's Avatar
CWal37 at 07/02/2008 00:17
Wooo, now back to my no-alert MGS4 run-through.
Mushman's Avatar
Mushman at 07/02/2008 00:19
FUCK YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!! Downloaded, now no need to cuss like there's no tomorrow everytime I want to read a new message whilst I am playing a game.
hpv's Avatar
hpv at 07/02/2008 00:20
PSTripleTrey DOUBLE-DOT-FODDY!

I'm in my game messaging your dudes!
thisissami's Avatar
thisissami at 07/02/2008 00:28
@samit

if that's the case, then it really isn't working... whatever... it' not such a big hassle to quit something to adjust settings, i just thought that the in-game XMB would make it superconvenient. whatever the case, i'm sure the majority of PS3 users utilize the buddy/friend features a lot more than i do (read, never - for me i mean), and that's probably what this firmware was geared to more... or at least that's what i'd assume...
thisissami's Avatar
thisissami at 07/02/2008 00:33
ooh, i found a hidden feature!!! under the user-list (or whatever that first tab is called), if you scroll to the top, there is a "turn off your system" option!! for some reason (though it takes longer to do) i find this much cooler than holding down the PS button to get to the standard turn off system function...
Snaileb 's Avatar
Snaileb at 07/02/2008 00:37
Wow I didn't know it was this month! Now if they could only get Home rolling along..
Topher Cantler's Avatar
Topher Cantler at 07/02/2008 00:37
Wow, it actually pauses the game when you hit the ps button. Someone was listening.
Video Cognito's Avatar
Video Cognito at 07/02/2008 00:40
Note: The PS button always paused GTA IV.
Crunshii's Avatar
Crunshii at 07/02/2008 00:46
HUUUUUUUUZAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!!!!

now for that trophy sound.........
Detry's Avatar
Detry at 07/02/2008 00:52
lol@Scrixx
xe-cute's Avatar
xe-cute at 07/02/2008 00:54
Ermmm, wow... they finaly done 'something' small that should of been there since the start.


Anywhoo I only know 2 peeps on my PS3 compared to my full 100 peeps on my xbox360 (all who have mics too) so it is not that much exciting for me.


I wanna give my PS3 moar love but I find it so hard compared to my hellraiser box of pain.
Iggy's Avatar
Iggy at 07/02/2008 00:58
Just updated and...
no ingame xmb in ps1 games.
this must be a joke sony
deiga-the-semivaliant's Avatar
deiga-the-semivaliant at 07/02/2008 01:01
This feels so.... right. Like it should have been done long ago.

Well, anyway, kudos to Sony! It's awesome.
brainderailment's Avatar
brainderailment at 07/02/2008 01:03
Wow, you can't please everyone.
Clockwork-Zombie's Avatar
Clockwork-Zombie at 07/02/2008 01:24
Would download if my PS3 was not broken. >:(
pedrovay2003's Avatar
pedrovay2003 at 07/02/2008 01:24
Wow, lots of complainers here.

@Iggy

It's something to do with the emulation. It's the same with the 360 --- You can't use the dashboard in the middle of an original Xbox game.
TheToiletDuck's Avatar
TheToiletDuck at 07/02/2008 01:38
Yeah but when are we going to get XMB!!!... oh wait.. nevermind.
Clockwork's Avatar
Clockwork at 07/02/2008 01:44
Wow. They might as well just not have anymore updates since this is the one to RULE THEM ALL!
kawitchate's Avatar
kawitchate at 07/02/2008 02:11
i guess i wasn't paying attention to the date they said they were going to release it. i thought this was like in 2 weeks or something... SWEET!

(too bad all i'm playing right now are non-supported PS2 games)
NightDehumidifier's Avatar
NightDehumidifier at 07/02/2008 03:06
Maybe this download will also include the ability for developers to open new creative ideas beyond FPSes and racing games.
braulio09's Avatar
braulio09 at 07/02/2008 03:59
i dont have a ps3, but i just wanted to comment on the "games pausing when bringing up in-game XMB"

The 360 doesn't stop movies on GTA and doesn't stop gameplay in some games (few, but they are there). Wouldn't expect the PS3 to be any different.
Takeshi's Avatar
Takeshi at 07/02/2008 04:49
FUCK YEAH!!
Miguelcar808's Avatar
Miguelcar808 at 07/02/2008 05:29
Sweet ^_^
Anus Mcphanus's Avatar
Anus Mcphanus at 07/02/2008 05:33
OH MY GOD!!!
nebones's Avatar
nebones at 07/02/2008 05:58
it only took them a year to catch up...
Kryptinite's Avatar
Kryptinite at 07/02/2008 06:26
I hope home comes directly after E3.
bangra's Avatar
bangra at 07/02/2008 06:53
im bitching: still disappointed.

no cross game invites, no voice chat, no music playback, no expanded profile (E3/GDC2006 or was ist gamersday?). WTF needs ingameshopbrowsing and wanking to xmb movies while playing "sonic"?
moi wants to, talk to friends while blasting off a guy in warhawk. listenin, lsiten to im a barbygirl while tearing apart a chimera.

its like the firsttime.all friends talking about it, you get teased for eons with "happyend massaging", hot lingerie etc and then,when it gets IMPOrTENT, its over in a matter of seconds. youre unsatisfied, your girl is, sheets are dirty and nothing happend(hunting of a sexually inactive teenhood).
exactlly like ingame XMB. youre X360 frienmds listen to music, talking, messaging while playing. you get up in total exitement, walk to your Plasticbeauty, fire her up, get teased with loading/installing screans, put in a game and its gets all messy. your plastic beauty , was giving you a handjob with icecold hands, you came but not as good as it could been, at least you didnt have to do it yourself.
Penn's Avatar
Penn at 07/02/2008 07:15
2.40 bricked my PS3. Wavy screen of death.
Quest's Avatar
Quest at 07/02/2008 07:29
Many M$ fanboys still bitching .. what a suprise

About the xmb it's a great update ... and i'm sure it won't stop here ... more improvement to come.
Touch's Avatar
Touch at 07/02/2008 07:42
Thisissami, another potential solution: get an A/V receiver with a couple of HDMI inputs - costly, but if you like great quality sound, you're gonna have to get one some day.....
robcat09's Avatar
robcat09 at 07/02/2008 07:49
Does this update come with some friends? cuz right now my friends list is empty. I have this sinking feeling that if I access the XMB during a game I will not have any messages. Do the friends/messages come in the next update? or must I find them elsewhere?
Crunshii's Avatar
Crunshii at 07/02/2008 08:02
to all complainers, VP did say:

"This is the first version to the ingame XMB update, while it is not complete, more updates will come"

jesus, people, took 1year and a half to get it, waiting couple of months to get it perfect is nothing when its FREE. :)
Quest's Avatar
Quest at 07/02/2008 08:56
@ Crunshii

100% agree with :)
king3vbo's Avatar
king3vbo at 07/02/2008 10:15
OH GAWD I CAME EVERYWHERE PSTRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIPLE
CALkulon's Avatar
CALkulon at 07/02/2008 10:22
Downloading now, it's taking forever...But it's ok, trophies make noises now!

Still expecting a European only trojan to come "free" with it.
Toneman's Avatar
Toneman at 07/02/2008 10:40
My friend has my PS3 at the moment. I suppose I'll have to wait.
Mr Wilson's Avatar
Mr Wilson at 07/02/2008 10:56
Not a fanboy, but this isnt going to change the shaky PS3 online community at all and that's what I really want. Glad it is finally here though.
Corak's Avatar
Corak at 07/02/2008 10:56
2 trophies in Superstardust HD last night, woo hoo, on my way.
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