Quantcast


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].








More gaming stories around the web. Got news? Submit yours to tips@destructoid.com

Samit Sarkar is a founding Destructoid editor and go-to Sports guy. Samit was the son of the Duke of Knees, rescued from a burning village in the afghan desert by a golden condor. He is an ace Backgammon player and lost both legs in a whaling tour. He lives for free in a nursery in Scotland where he teaches monks how to capture butterflies without hurting them. Likes Confuse Ray, Feel My Blade A Mabari War Hound, Snot, Spiral Arrow, Argo, Dan Smith's critical hit bark, Rolling things up into my life Meet the rest of the team



Post a comment! You can also post a photo below:

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

58 comments | showing # 1 to 50
prev
next 50 comments

Scrixx's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/01/2008 23:45
Scrixx
YES OH YES!! GOD DAMNIT YES!

Wait I don't have a ps3. FUCK.
scottoid's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/01/2008 23:49
scottoid
just installed it, freakin epic. 360 who???
pG99's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/01/2008 23:51
pG99
This and Chrono Trigger DS have made this a glorious day
freker's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/01/2008 23:52
freker
Kick ass! Yeah!
Celdurant's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/01/2008 23:55
Celdurant
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 - Comment posted on 07/01/2008 23:56
thisissami
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 - Comment posted on 07/01/2008 23:57
Kalmah
I came
Alexradl's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 00:01
Alexradl
Wow, when they said wednesday they meant wednesday. Downloading it now!
RonBurgandy2010's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 00:06
RonBurgandy2010
Hey is that "listen to your music" thing in it? Just want to make sure.
Samit Sarkar's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 00:07
Samit Sarkar
@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 - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 00:08
Nick Chester
Can we get some info on 2.5?
RonBurgandy2010's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 00:09
RonBurgandy2010
Wait, never mind, found it in the FAQ.
CWal37's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 00:17
CWal37
Wooo, now back to my no-alert MGS4 run-through.
Mushman's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 00:19
Mushman
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 - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 00:20
hpv
PSTripleTrey DOUBLE-DOT-FODDY!

I'm in my game messaging your dudes!
thisissami's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 00:28
thisissami
@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 - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 00:33
thisissami
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 - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 00:37
Snaileb
Wow I didn't know it was this month! Now if they could only get Home rolling along..
Topher Cantler's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 00:37
Topher Cantler
Wow, it actually pauses the game when you hit the ps button. Someone was listening.
Geoff Henao's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 00:40
Geoff Henao
Note: The PS button always paused GTA IV.
Crunshii's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 00:46
Crunshii
HUUUUUUUUZAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!!!!

now for that trophy sound.........
Detry's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 00:52
Detry
lol@Scrixx
xe-cute's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 00:54
xe-cute
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 - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 00:58
Iggy
Just updated and...
no ingame xmb in ps1 games.
this must be a joke sony
deiga-the-semivaliant's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 01:01
deiga-the-semivaliant
This feels so.... right. Like it should have been done long ago.

Well, anyway, kudos to Sony! It's awesome.
Clockwork-Zombie's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 01:24
Clockwork-Zombie
Would download if my PS3 was not broken. >:(
pedrovay2003's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 01:24
pedrovay2003
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 - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 01:38
TheToiletDuck
Yeah but when are we going to get XMB!!!... oh wait.. nevermind.
Clockwork's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 01:44
Clockwork
Wow. They might as well just not have anymore updates since this is the one to RULE THEM ALL!
kawitchate's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 02:11
kawitchate
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 - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 03:06
NightDehumidifier
Maybe this download will also include the ability for developers to open new creative ideas beyond FPSes and racing games.
braulio09's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 03:59
braulio09
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 - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 04:49
Takeshi
FUCK YEAH!!
Miguelcar808's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 05:29
Miguelcar808
Sweet ^_^
Anus Mcphanus's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 05:33
Anus Mcphanus
OH MY GOD!!!
nebones's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 05:58
nebones
it only took them a year to catch up...
Kryptinite's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 06:26
Kryptinite
I hope home comes directly after E3.
bangra's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 06:53
bangra
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 - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 07:15
Penn
2.40 bricked my PS3. Wavy screen of death.
Quest's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 07:29
Quest
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 - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 07:42
Touch
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 - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 07:49
robcat09
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 - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 08:02
Crunshii
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 - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 08:56
Quest
@ Crunshii

100% agree with :)
king3vbo's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 10:15
king3vbo
OH GAWD I CAME EVERYWHERE PSTRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIPLE
CALkulon's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 10:22
CALkulon
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 - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 10:40
Toneman
My friend has my PS3 at the moment. I suppose I'll have to wait.
Mr Wilson's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 10:56
Mr Wilson
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 - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 10:56
Corak
2 trophies in Superstardust HD last night, woo hoo, on my way.
Bacchus's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/02/2008 11:42
Bacchus
sweet!

now i can message all those ps3 friend i DONT have and NOT talk to them with voice chat.
prev next 50 comments

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

Comments policy

Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?

Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!