Sony today provided a complete list of the PS3 enhancements coming in the next PS3 firmware update (v2.50). In addition to some new features, the PS3 firmware update v2.50 includes improvements to existing functionality.
One of the most intriguing updates is an interface enhancement to view PlayStation Trophies that will make sharing and comparing trophies easier. On first part of the profile page, you’ll see a symbol that represents your PlayStation Trophy Level and the actual percentage you’ve progressed toward reaching the next level. The level symbol will carry over to the trophy comparison screen, where you will be able to see your level, your friend’s level, the friend’s progress toward reaching the next PlayStation Trophy Level, and all of the game-by-game comparison information.
Speaking of friends, the v2.50 update will include a little information below your friends who are offline to indicate how long it has been since they were last online.
A new tool will also be added to let PS3 owners capture in-game screenshots, which they can then share. This will be supported on a game-by-game basis, with the final list of supported games still TBD.
The firmware update will also include support for the PS3 Official Bluetooth Headset and High-Quality (HQ) mode, which delivers wide-band online voice chat. An on-screen indicator will also show the headset’s battery status, volume level and use of HQ mode. The Bluetooth Headset support will interesting to SOCOM fans, who will be able to use the headset in SOCOM: Confrontation and utilize the proximity chat feature, which matches distance to sound effects and voiceovers.
A new video update will add a Scene Search feature similar to the feature on the PSP. Activating this feature while viewing a video on the PS3 will break the video into scenes that you can quickly access by pressing the X button. You can break the videos into one-, two- or five-minute intervals. In addition, you will be able to have all videos in the XMB’s video section play in order by adjusting the PS3’s video settings.
Meanwhile, the PlayStation Store will get a “redeem codes” option directly on the Store interface to make it easier to redeem PlayStation Network Cards and promotion codes. The PlayStation Network Sign-Up and Account Management interfaces will also get a redesign.
The last couple of updates are more “housecleaning” types of things. First, players will be able to set their PS3 and wireless controllers to turn off automatically after set periods of inactivity. Second, the PS3 will be able to be “told” to turn off automatically after a background download or content installation has completed.
