2.70 PS3 firmware update brings text chat, video backup

Late yesterday Sony revealed the upcoming v2.70 firmware update for the PS3. The new additions mainly deal with a new text chat feature, which can be used via the onscreen keyboard, a compatible full-sized keyboard, or the new wireless keypad that attaches to the top of the DualShock 3/Sixaxis...

Late yesterday Sony revealed the upcoming v2.70 firmware update for the PS3. The new additions mainly deal with a new text chat feature, which can be used via the onscreen keyboard, a compatible full-sized keyboard, or the new wireless keypad that attaches to the top of the DualShock 3/Sixaxis controller. While in the midst of a game, players can join up to three different chat rooms at the same time, each of which will support up to 16 people.

Sony revamped the friends list on the XrossMediaBar to accommodate the new text chat feature. Friends can be sorted by online status and exchange files up to 3MB in size. The update also allows videos purchased from the PlayStation Store to be backed up on an external hard drive. In a bid to keep things simple for users, Sony will now allow users to transfer PSP video purchases to the PS3 for playback.

[UPDATE] The v2.70 firmware update is now live and ready for download!

--GameSpot Hardware's Sarju Shah co-wrote this report.

101 Comments

  • rprieto75

    Posted May 25, 2009 8:32 pm PT

    this sucks bad, come on "text chat", im inbarrassed... cant look into xbox eyes. We need PRIVATE PARTY and PARTY CHAT, come on SONY wake up, focus on online gaming and stop giving us updated photo gallery, i did not buy the ps3 for my grandma.

  • botzpogi

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 4:50 pm PT

    stop fighting for which console is the best.... it would be better if you have those 2 console. xbox360 and PS3... im just having fun playing both console.. and so far it good... i like playing gears of war 2 for the xbox360 and i like playing killzone2 for PS3... yet still longing for more detailed games or high resolution games for both console...

  • princeweasel1

    Posted Apr 5, 2009 7:31 pm PT

    Ok, voice chat has been on the system for quite some time now. When you start a chat, you can choose video with audio chat, or just straight voice. And Sony has NOT had a history of breaking previous fixes with new firmware updates. That's completely incorrect.

    I think this chat add-on is actually pretty hip, especially since you can maintain 3 rooms AND play a game at the same time. I already tried it and it's not a bad chat program. It's not as robust as MSN or Yahoo IM, but it was never meant to be (especially at its launch).

    One more add-on with this last firmware update that I noticed is now, when you're downloading updates for your games, you get an estimated download time above the right end of the download meter. Since I just went through some lengthy updates prior to the firmware update, I'm grateful for this added timer.

    Anywho, I think Sony did a great job with this one.

  • Mikethechimp

    Posted Apr 5, 2009 4:01 pm PT

    Text chat has character limit? What sucks is that it doesn't stop your typing. You just end up posting a half-finished message when you click 'send'.

  • teckel12

    Posted Apr 5, 2009 3:22 pm PT

    So, I wonder what Sony broke in this release. It seems they always take one step forward and two steps back with each firmware release. And text chat doesn't even sound like a step forward. How about VOICE chat? Morons.

  • G4m3_0n

    Posted Apr 5, 2009 3:29 am PT

    Why text not a voice chat feature... would be more useful and if they could maintain close to 16 people in one voice chat room it'd be better than the 360's party chat function...

  • skaiferules

    Posted Apr 4, 2009 10:29 pm PT

    ......................yay?

  • MagicOneUp

    Posted Apr 4, 2009 1:46 am PT

    @benmc19
    yeah i wish it was like that but sony have to screwed with your wallet for a less better looking games than the 360.

  • MagicOneUp

    Posted Apr 4, 2009 1:44 am PT

    damn! no net connection, cant txt chat. whats with all these firmware updates... wish if it had more good games than updates.

  • benmc19

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 11:33 pm PT

    I wish everyone would stop arguing about the technology of the console, I want a box, that plugs into my TV that has a controller with buttons on it. And plays the sort of game I want to play. I like fun little bonuses like this one. they add more fun in the long run. But Really, its so childish to say "Mines more powerful then yours" Its about what it plays gentlemen. It is first and foremost a game console.

  • Bladescorpion

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 8:30 pm PT

    Finally group chat for PS3!!!

  • shani_boy101

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 5:54 pm PT

    @dbzshinjlong
    PS3 has 4 yr old technology?? dude the xbox 360 has 4 yr old technology, it came out 4 years ago, duh. all it is is a repackaged PC. PS3 has 3 yr old tech, but that tech is so complex and advanced (NVIDIA, Toshiba, IBM etc.) that it can actually last to the Sony business model of 10 years and will improve on graphics for at least half its life.

    You sir are a joke.

  • tuvideo87

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 3:51 pm PT

    ps3 getting better each time. im glad i have ps3 and not xbox.thanks god

  • AZisBack

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 2:02 pm PT

    Don't get me wrong this is a step in the right direction so I can actually communicate. But I am still waiting to be able to have voice chat with my friends during any game. I really want to play MLB 09 with my friends and talk while going through the menus (or while they are playing another game). Until they get this my Xbox will get more love than my PS3 (my Wii gets no love).

  • gnarink

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 1:25 pm PT

    dbzshinjlong

    You are obviously an XBOT. The ps2 better than ps3(what?). The ps3 has built in Blue-Ray, Wi-Fi adapter, and the ability to Tether to your PSP. The Xbox has none of those features and you have to pay for Xbox Live which is a total rip off. I played MGS4 and the graphics where the best I had seen on a console for the time, however KZ2 Graphics are actually better so I doubt PS3 has reached its limit. Also with the new CryEngivne 3 comming out both the Xbox 360 and PS3 will be able to push past their current graphic limitations in games.

  • dbzshinjlong posted Apr 3, 2009 12:54 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    dbzshinjlong

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 12:54 pm PT (hide)

    the ps3 doenst have better technology lol omg they did a comparison awhile ago 360 has the best technology, the ps3 is running 4yr old technology in it. and you say its better? please playstation 2 is better than the ps3 at least it supported backwards comp and didnt have nearly as many issues as the ps3. and alot of game developers are either leaving sony and going to microsoft or they are staying with sony but are no longer exclusive to sony because the ps3 isnt selling well at all and the game developers need to make money and so they go tot he 360 which im sorry still is king of the systems. im not a fan boy but im just disapointed in the ps3 ive own every console for every console developer and right now i still do im just saying sony has alot of butt kissing to us buyers to make us feel this system is worth there time. the big update they just need to do to amp up the sale is make all the systems backwards compatible. they said MGS4 pushed the limits of the ps3's power and then they were thinking of bringing it to 360 and they did some test to make sure the console could handle the game and it has more than the capibility to do so. im sorry but im just really dissapointed in the ps3 do to the crappy crap they have it in ps home was cool for like 1 day now its just boring the only advatage i say it has is it makes it easier to meet new friends that about it. i mean the movie theater doesnt even play real movies it plays movie trailers what kind of crap is that. sony owns a movie company they can more than freely disperse a movie a week or every few days into home without having to pay hardly anything for the usage if anything at all.

  • shadowhunter0

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 12:38 pm PT

    @ truthbetold101 i agree but not with all games games like mgs4 and dead space it would ruin the experience and the only way i see that it could work on mgs4 is that they use the ipod 4 it

  • truthbetold101

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 12:25 pm PT

    i know that microsoft "patented" the xmb player so you can play music durring all games, but there are so many loop holes to that its not even funny. I really want sony to actually exploit those loop holes NOW!!!!! lol i mean, having your own music for online play with kz2 is cool and all, but they seriously need to put it into all games. And im not trying to start a discussion about how we need to appreciate the music that the games come with, but seriously, if that is all we can listen 2 thats kinda unfair, i mean, how many of you listen to the same album you own a hundred freakn times if you dont enjoy is as much as you do other music. im my opinion its unfair to the player, considering not all of us are money makin pimps who gat enough for a 700 wat sterio YO lol

  • Amir29

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 12:20 pm PT

    Looks like they have some kinks to work out now that the update has arrived. Namely, "Text Chat". I love the idea of the feature as it has already become quite useful. But, the limit to how many characters you have per sentence is ridiculously small. Also, it seems they ported over the same censor system they had from Home. And for all of you that use Home, I don't have to tell you how frustrating those cens*** are.

  • Lightchaos

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 11:50 am PT

    Text chat is nice.

  • TheGreatEye6

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 9:54 am PT

    Can PS3 owners chat to friends ingame yet?

  • atopp399

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 9:49 am PT

    Every single update like this should be held off and the money saved on the labor should go toward lowering the price of the unit. Once the install base is higher then they should worry about improving small parts of the system for the people who have already purchased it.

    I have a feeling firmware updates like this do not improve sales of PS3's too much.

  • XanderZane

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 8:55 am PT

    They need to add 2 B/C and group video voice chat to the system. It's getting better, but still not as good as XBox Live and probably will never have the amount of gaming content that Live has. I'm wondering how long Sony will be able to keep this feature FREE now that HOME hasn't turned out to be what people expected. Sony thought HOME would be a huge money maker for it to offset any PSN yearly fees they might need to charge. HOME has been a complete fairure so far. How many people went back to it after 2-3 visits? Not me.

  • akiwak

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 7:42 am PT

    More icing on my delicious cake. The features I need and use the most are already there!!! More is always welcome though. Can't wait for update 3.2, it's the update that makes your breakfast and rubs your shoulders.

  • nf1994

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 7:41 am PT

    Im glad that sony are constantly updating and improving the PS3 but i wish they would bring out an update that will benefit the majority of users.

  • sieg6529

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 7:41 am PT

    Hopefully version 2.8 will have some more useful features.

  • nate1222

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 6:31 am PT

    They need to throw in a PS2 and PS1 emulator!!!!! Lack of bc is killing their damn sales!

  • dethtrain

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 4:42 am PT

    god damn, add in a better internet browser already!

  • V-dubs

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 4:22 am PT

    Something must have messed up with your update..as i can play everything i used to be able to play...and now some movies i couldnt play before the update are now playable.

  • hugme2

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 3:55 am PT

    I upgraded to version 2.70 last night. When I connected to my file server I noticed a problem. 90% of the movies I used to be able to play were now unavailable. It seems this new upgrade deletes most of the video codec's on your playstation. Now if you want to play a video you're going to have to convert it before it will work.

    I'm QUITE pissed off about this. I'ld rather not have the chat feature if I'm no longer going to be able to watch a movie when I want. I don't know if the MPA got hold of them and forced this or if they just screwed up but I do not suggest upgraded if you ever watch videos with your PS3.

  • kavadias1981

    Posted Apr 3, 2009 2:00 am PT

    @AlphaCommando

    Me too. I chose the PS3 over the 360 because it was better technology.

  • joelgargan

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 11:58 pm PT

    @AlphaCommando

    I (well my dad) bought a PS3 for the tech, like Bluray and Wireless.

  • AlphaCommando

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 11:51 pm PT

    You buy a system for the exclusives, not for the power of the system. Buying a PS3 gets you both though...

  • razgriz_101

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 11:51 pm PT

    cool but its not made much diffrence to me, since the UK lacks a video store , but text chat's nice cause i could talk to a friend playing COD when i was on RE5.

    Hopefully 2.8 or 9 adds in the ability for cross game voice chat between friends cause imo that would be killer.

    Not bothered bout the attachment exchange file since its a feature i dont really use tbh.

  • bennae66

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 11:32 pm PT

    charlie my stats of gameplay are similar to yours. 360 most frequent then just recently the ps3 has seen much use; the laptop mainly used for browsing, networking and media with the occasional game played

  • pumamick12 posted Apr 2, 2009 11:13 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    pumamick12

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 11:13 pm PT (hide)

    A good PC kill's both consoles conbined............

  • CharlieFubar

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 9:55 pm PT

    voice chats overrated anyway... soon you'll hear 30 millin pre-pubesant males that sound like ugly women all telling you where to stick it.

  • CharlieFubar posted Apr 2, 2009 9:50 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    CharlieFubar

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 9:50 pm PT (hide)

    lol 360 is "a cheep - butt pc in a box".... I dunno bout everyone else, but i play far more games on my xbox than my ps3 and 3000 dollar gaming rig COMBINED... lol nice try Jehuty-88

  • Jehuty-88

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 9:11 pm PT

    @rasterror Up your behind, im from yorkshire, but live in wales, have no parents and i am currently studying at university, How the F do you think i got a PS3 i saved up my penny's then i got one, so sorry if i find it damn insulting tht whinging little F's complain about the price, when it is indeed worth it. A PS3 isn't going to magicly fall into their hands for the price of buget gaming hardware (yes that is a referance to the 360 because that is what it is a cheap ass pc in a box) because it not

  • THEGoD1

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 8:32 pm PT

    shockster4life:
    you actually can make a soundtrack from your music library and play it while you are playing burnout

  • Slim02

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 8:22 pm PT

    @shockster4life

    Yes you can if you have Burnout up to date.. Yes games do have updates too if you have internet hooked up to the PS3.. Next time do some research before posting..

  • shockster4life posted Apr 2, 2009 8:15 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    shockster4life

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 8:15 pm PT (hide)

    @HeathO
    no u actually can't play your own music in burnout

  • Shmoe82

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 8:08 pm PT

    has no effect on what i do; but i am forced to download it because now i can't play COD W@W online till its done. BAH.

  • ryan_kraze

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 7:44 pm PT

    GhostfaceL94, I couldn't have said it better myself. I totally agree with you, and I'm a proud ps3 owner.

  • Mist00

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 7:39 pm PT

    im glad they increased the file exchange because sometimes i want to share picture or something and it wouldnt go through cause of the size

  • thekey

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 7:30 pm PT

    SpinoRaptor24 "Still not as good as Xbox Live.

    PSN needs more work."

    Doesn't need to be as good as live... It's better than live, if not right up to par with live, only free.

  • popplayer22

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 7:07 pm PT

    SpinoRaptor24 said:

    Still not as good as Xbox Live.

    PSN needs more work.

    That may be the case. But they're getting in close. And as I recall, they're not charging you a fee to access online features are they?

  • MADDjoe

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 6:40 pm PT

    Updates are nice, more games are better, but why complain. Thanks for the update $ony...Look deep into my eyes you want to get more third party games for ps3...keep on truck'n.

  • da_illest101

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 6:28 pm PT

    it's cool to have all those features, personnaly i might never use it but why complain when it's free

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