Promises Sony made ages ago are finally being fulfilled this week. Several new features have been added to the already feature-packed PS3 with firmware 1.6. After downloading the latest firmware patch for the Playstation 3, you will finally have background downloading, Folding@Home functionality, improved Remote Play, zooming while web browsing and more. For details, keep reading.
Since launched, Playstation 3 owners have been complaining that downloading stuff from the Playstation Store is a pain. Not only are you stuck doing nothing but downloading, but if the download is interrupted you have to start all over from the beginning. The new firmware changes all that. Sony has explained that playing games is certainly possible while you download stuff. As long as you aren’t playing online or using any other Playstation Network functionality, the download will continue. More importantly, if your download pauses because you jump into some multiplayer, it will resume where it left off.
Web browsing is a feature I use frequently. After the latest firmware update, that too has been improved. Users with 1080p displays will no longer be forced to squint for the purpose of reading tiny text. A new feature called “Pinpoint Zoom” will magnify anything on your browser page when you move the cursor over it. If you’re tired of the tiny text but don’t feel like using the Pinpoint Zoom, you can also select a resolution that’s different from your default XMB setting.
Many people have complained about the PS3’s text entry system. If you don’t have a USB keyboard connected, entering letters has required the use of a cell-phone-like interface. Fortunately, the new firmware also incorporates a new full screen virtual keyboard layout that gives you a more familiar way to type in text without an actual keyboard.
The next big advancement is the PS3’s new ability to cure Alzheimer’s, or at least contribute to the process of possibly finding a cure. That’s right. During your gaming downtime, the Playstation 3 can now run the Folding@Home client on its monster Cell processor. For those unaware of this process, I’ll explain. Stanford University has been running protein folding simulations using a distributed computing program to help find defects in human proteins. This effort has been assisted for several years by computer users who leave their PCs on to crunch numbers while they sleep. The Cell processor is great with these kinds of computations. So taking advantage of the technology could mean great strides in medical research. No word yet on how much extra electricity running F@H on your PS3 will burn or whether overheating will be an issue if the Cell is pushed to its limits.
Finally, comes added functionality to the Remote Play feature which streams media from your Playstation 3 to your PSP. Previously, only the high end model was capable of this function because it used the built-in wireless networking capability of the PS3. After upgrading to firmware 1.6 both versions of PS3 will be able to stream media using either a wireless router at home, or any wireless WAN connection when you’re away from home. Simply setup the hardware to recognize each other on a network and you’ll be off and running.
These additional features mark a significant improvement to the all-around functionality of Playstation 3. They also demonstrate that Sony is willing to listen to customer feedback and work to give people what they want. Whether you have a PS3 or simply have an opinion on these developments, don’t forget to stop by our forums and sound off with your impressions.
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