Playstation 3 owners are about to get a little more functionality for their Blu-ray capable machines in the next couple of weeks. Sony just announced the release of a new firmware update that promises increased interactivity through the use of the new BD Live format and a slew of new features.
Those that have been aching for better Blu-ray support will be pleased to find downloadable content among the new refinements. Users should be able to check out trailers and download ringtones with the new firmware, version 2.20.
The much touted BD Live format already has several compatible titles on shelves now, including War and Saw IV, with Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story and The 6th Day slated for release in early April. Disney has also committed to future releases with BD Live functionality.
The update will include “resume play”, a feature that allows a movie to start from the last point stopped, even when the disc has been removed from the PS3.
For those that don't care so much about the Blu-ray aspect, Sony hasn't forgotten you. The update will increase the PS3's browser speed, making pages load faster. Rounding out the package is an audio output feature, allowing PSP owners to remotely control music played over the PS3.
Blu-ray is far from finished from a developmental viewpoint. Continuing research on disc layering looks like a viable option for increasing storage capacity and that's going to go a long way in increasing the format's longevity. In any case, the PS3 still appears to be the strongest buy in terms of a Blu-ray enabled machine; right now it's the only player capable of online firmware updates. 2008 just gets better and better for Sony. And the plot thickens.
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