Gizmodo: 2.4

Sony Explains What Went Wrong with Firmware 2.4

Mark Wilson — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:08:00 EDT

PlayStation 3 firmware 2.4 bricked a few systems, was eventually pulled and then, today, got rereleased as firmware 2.41. Hooray!! But wait a second...what exactly went wrong with 2.4 in the first place? Sony has gone on the record with an official explanation:

The PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) system software version 2.41 is now available for update from July 8, 2008. With this update, we have fixed the problem that prevented a limited number of PS3s from activating properly after updating to version 2.40, when certain system administrative data were contained on the HDD...

...We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused you and appreciate your understanding and continued support.

Damn that system administrative data! It gets us every time. [ThreeSpeech]

PlayStation 3 Firmware 2.41 Available Now

Kit Eaton — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 03:57:00 EDT

It's not quite midweek, but according to readers at Sony's PlayStation blog, the new firmware update 2.41 for PlayStation3 is now available for download. Hopefully when you fire up your update it'll be a smoother process than for some 2.40 users. Update: the new, improved update has brought a nice new, improved platinum trophy with it—photo below.

[Kotaku and Playstation Blog—Thanks Eric]

PlayStation 3 Firmware 2.41 Coming "Midweek"

Mark Wilson — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 08:48:00 EDT

Sony's firmware 2.40 for the PS3 was pulled from servers after bricking several systems. Now at least one customer support service is reporting that firmware 2.41 will be released later this week. While Sony has yet to send out an official press release on the topic, it's looking like those who didn't download their in-game XMB fix fast enough will indeed get it soon. As for the bricking problem, it can be solved with solutions anywhere from a simple reboot to yanking the hard drive and formatting it on a PC. Oh, and crying to Sony like a baby probably helps, too. [CVG]

PlayStation 3 Firmware 2.4 Bricking Some PS3s

Mark Wilson — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 09:39:00 EDT

It's not uncommon for firmware updates to go wonky, and apparently Sony's 2.4 PS3 update is no exception. The PlayStation forums are scattered with various reports of bricked PS3s—users report that upon booting their system, the SIXAXIS controller will not sync and the video signal is blank with no sound. Unfortunately, you can never tell how widespread these issues are when the sampling is just one messageboard. And I've updated my 60GB launch unit without issue. Suckers.

Seriously though, any problems to report? (Suckers?) [PlayStation Forums via Maxconsole]

PlayStation 3 Firmware 2.4 in Photographs

Mark Wilson — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 10:45:00 EDT

We've already seen two videos of Sony's latest 2.4 firmware for the PS3 (that hits July 2nd, incidentally), but sometimes the story is easily told in good old fashioned photography. So here are some direct feed shots of the new firmware, including plenty of material on the new ~~achievements~~ trophies. There's nothing jaw-dropping going on here, but the integration looks simple and clean. And that's certainly worth something. [GameLife and PS3Fanboy via Kotaku]

PS3 Firmware Update 2.40 Arriving for E3, Plus Full Feature List

matt buchanan — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:20:00 EDT

The PS3 firmware update you've really, really been waiting for—2.40, which brings in XMB access and achievements—you're gonna have to wait a little longer for. Like, 'til E3. CVG says that Sony's holding the update back for its address at E3 in about three weeks. But, to tide you over, they've got the supposed full list of features being added.

Here's what you'll be able to do from the in-game XMB:

* Friend category
* View, send, receive messages
* Manage downloads
* Set the vibration feature of the controller
* Sign in to PlayStation Network
* Register friends
* Manage Bluetooth devices
* Terminate the game
* Music category
* Use the system BGM
* Work the system BGM operation panel
* Settings category
* Assign controllers
* View profiles
* Game category
* Set audio devices
* Use the voice changer

Under the music category, you can play back your own music, though it's not known whether you'll be able to do it with every game or just specific titles that support it. Either way, it'll be nice to finally have some basic functions that sorta should've been there in the first place. [CVG via Kotaku]

Next PlayStation Firmware Update Bringing In-Game XMB?

Mark Wilson — Fri, 30 May 2008 10:00:00 EDT

There's some pretty heavy rumorage that Sony's next PS3 firmware update, 2.4, will bring long-awaited in-game XMB. (That just means players will be able to load the menu system without closing their game.) In addition, we're supposed to see trophies (ala Xbox Achievements) supported as well. There's a lot of buzz around the rumor with plenty of solid sources backing it, but we pretty much confirmed in-game XMB when Sony workers taunted fanboys by wearing these uniforms that read "In-shirt XMB" at a recent conference. The new firmware could hit as early as this June. [videogaming247 and Joystiq]

PlayStation 3 Getting In-Game Voice Chat in Firmware 2.4?

Jason Chen — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 15:10:45 EST

Sony Computer Entertainment UK Boss Ray Maguire just let this bit slip about a future firmware update, which Sony usually doesn't comment on.

Our momentum will continue with the introduction of in-game communication in the summer, firmware update 2.4 and the strongest line-up of games through our third party partners and our own studios. I'd personally like to thank our trade and business partners for helping us on the start of the PS3 journey.

So, there's going to be improved in-game chat (maybe expanded to every game via an in-game Xross Media Bar?) that's even better than the chat we've already used now? Sign us up. [MCVUK via Kotaku]