PS3 2.50 Firmware Adds In-Game Screenshots and More

The latest PlayStation 3 firmware update will include in-game screenshots and support for Sony’s Bluetooth headset.

Although the company has not released an official release date, v2.5 of the PlayStation 3 firmware should go live sometime this week in preparation of SOCOM : Confrontation’s arrival this Wednesday. The console’s new firmware update adds support for the bundled Bluetooth headset as well as enabling a High-Quality (HQ) mode for wide-band online voice chat. There is also a "proximity chat" feature embedded in SOCOM, matching distance to sound effects and voiceovers within the game.

Another important feature of the v2.50 update is the ability to take screenshots within the game. Players will be able to snap pictures and send to friends via the PlayStation Network or transfer them to a PC via a local network connection. Unfortunately, not all games will support the feature immediately. "This will be supported on a game by game basis," says Sony. "Please check back to find out which games will support this feature."

Other notable updates include a refined PlayStation Store with a new "redeem codes" option, a Scene Search feature in the Video section and a better Trophies interface. Gamers can also set the PlayStation 3 to turn off automatically after a certain time frame, and can even allow the console to shut down once downloading a demo or movie has completed. Have friends ? Now information will be stored under their avatars, displaying the date last seen online.

Additionally, Sony is updating the PSP system firmware as well. The v5.00 firmware update will add a PlayStation Network icon on the XMB. Now PSP owners can access the PlayStation Store directly without the PlayStation 3 connection. Sony also redesigned the XMB background as well as throwing in a sleep timer option. There’s also a full on-screen keyboard heading to the PSP, a vast improvement over the current multi-character key listing.

Although the firmware updates for both consoles are certainly welcomed, many PlayStation 3 owners anxiously await the PlayStation Home interface, bringing a Second-Life type virtual community right to their TV. The update is scheduled to enter open beta sometime in Q4 2008 with a release date set for next year. In the meantime, let’s hope that this new firmware update doesn’t brick the PlayStation 3 console like v2.40 did back in July.

Currently the update is not available as of this writing. Look for a review of SOCOM : Confrontation over at Tom’s Games in the coming weeks.