Sony has shared some quick information about the new PS3 System Software update version 2.70. The biggest new feature is a Text Chat feature, although Sony will also be making some improvements to the Friends List presentation on the XMB and some PlayStation Store improvements in terms of video delivery.
Using the PS3 v2.70 new Text Chat feature, PS3 owners will be able to chat with their friends using the Wireless Keypad, on-screen keyboard or any compatible keyboard peripheral. Users can participate in up to three chat rooms at once, each with a capacity of 16 PS3 owners.
For the most multitasking gamers, Text Chat can be accessed while playing PS3 games. Not sure how that would be a benefit, though.
PS3 firmware 2.70 also will let gamers sort their friends by online status, with Online friends sorted alphabetically as before, but offline friends being sorted by their “last online” date. PS3 owners will also be able to attach 3MB files to Friend messages, an increase to the current 1MB cap.
And finally, the new PS3 update will let videos purchased from the PlayStation Store be backed up to an external storage device and then restored to PS3’s internal hard drive for playback. Additionally, videos purchased for the PSP will be able to be transferred to the PS3 for playback.