PlayStation 3 moves one step closer to becoming self-aware

(Credit: Sony)

So it looks like the PlayStation 3 is about a couple years away from becoming self-aware, taking over the world, and making us all its human slaves--if a few of us aren't already.

Sony announced that the v2.60 firmware update for the PS3, released Wednesday, will include many enhancements to the system's media capabilities.

The key feature, according to Sony, is the new photo gallery app, which allows your digital pictures to be organized by criteria including the camera used; event date and time; colors in the photos; and the number, ages, or facial expressions of the people pictured.

Yep, that's right. According to the video, the PS3 will be able to determine the relative age of the people in the photo and whether or not they are smiling.

Also included in the release is guest access to the PlayStation store for non-PlayStation Network members. With this access, they'll be able to check out demos, video, and so on. Sony will also be adding DivX 3.11 support to the system.

I guess in a few more releases we'll be seeing an update that reads our minds, fulfills our deepest desires, and then, when it's gained our trust completely, drops the other shoe, takes over the world, and we're done. Until that inevitable day, we might as well enjoy what we have now.

Check out the video for a walkthrough of the new features.

[Sir_Will]

Meh, I'm still waiting for the update so that it will do my laundry and wash the dishes.

[scaught78]

I'm waiting for some good games myself. I don't know, maybe Killzone 2.

[imotionsrt4]

"The company didn't announce when the update would be released. "

It's already released.


Not that this has anything to do with this story, but I really hate how I have to download the update, then download the actual feature. Why can't I just do it all at one time?

I download the update, then it has to install the update, then I have to download the photo gallery, then I have to install the photo gallery. I downloaded home, then I have to install home. Then I have to download the mall, then I have to download the game lounge.

When I download the update, it should install everything that needs to be installed.

[Tedders85]

I feel ya. When you download anything (which takes FOREVER), then you have to install it (again, takes way too long). On my 360, when I download something (which is much faster by the way), it is already installed. When its done, its ready to use! I still like my PS3 though, they just really need to fix some things.

[imotionsrt4]

Now thinking about it and talking to some other people online, I realized that they patch the OS to include interfaces for the program, but not all people want the actual feature/program.

So you have to dl the update, but only install the feature if you want it.


Makes sense.

[efranklin]

"It's already released."

Thanks for the tip. Story slightly changed.

[regulas1]

Are you a 360 fanboy, seems that way. Just jealous that the PS3 gives so many features and free online play, no subscription charges like the 360. I like the SETI at home feature while using it as a stereo. I enjoy playing Hot Shots Golf over the net for free on my PS3. I admit the PS3 needs more games, I play my PS2 more. I do say though I do not play FPS games on consoles, that is what a mouse and keyboard do best. Personally waiting for Final Fantasy XIII. I admit I have no love for Microbloat, typing this on a Macbook.
Have a great day, downloading the PS3 update now.

[Notoapplefanbois]

Ever heard the saying you get what you pay for?

Cos the reason why live costs money is because it's better than psn. And Sony just copied parts from the two other consoles and integrated them into the PS3, and imo it also looks ugly as hell, you can't have a curved console that's that fat!

Also to add, anyone who disses microsoft is a fanboy, and anyone who disagree's with this comment is a fanboy.

[justchuck69]

well i wonder why the xbox 360 was cheaper so i guess you are right you get what you pay for

[justchuck69]

but i can see fault in your theroy too "you get what you pay for" after three returned xbox 360's the only one that did not come with the red ring of death was the arcade version but if i had to buy all the extra accessories then it would of been kind of expensive the pro and premium version seem to include the red ring of death for free ( as i did not pay for that feature)
gl and tc

[dqkennard]

"Honey, I can't find any pictures of me. I thought you loaded them into the photo gallery. Wait, here they are //start frosty mode// in the "pictures of old people" directory..."

[DragonStab]

What I want to see in an update is the ability to use or create a playlist for music (or pictures) for files that exist on an external Media Server. Why do they provide access to a media server if you can't use a playlist of media files?? You can only play music files one at a time! You have to copy all the files to your PS3 to be able to create a playlist, which is a waste of space on the PS3 drive if you already have them on an external Media Server. I set up the Windows Media Player server setup, and I can see the files just fine from my PS3. I can only play one song at a time though.......

[MRXBOX n VAN BC]

MRBOX n VAN BC here so don't accuse me of being 360 Fan boy ( AS I AM THE #1 XBOXLIVE PLAYER , YA IM A FAN ) ! When I catch cheaters and glitches on XBL , i offer up to the losers a ps3 ! I do this so they can Jump out of XBOXVILLE and into a place were people are best severed playing by themselves ! SONY better realise before its to late that EXCLUSIVE = LESS MONEY ! Maybe they should rethink this stupid marketing ploy before NO ONE wants to go bankrupt making games for there console ! No wonder you all complain there are no titles for ps3, the gaming ind is on its Knee's ! Wake up Sony and Smell the profits drifting away !

[MRXBOX n VAN BC]

Oh wow just watched the vid on PS PICS , how existing ! Now if i only had something else to store pics on , oh ya like my laptop ! Hey does it have as an extra charge a wire i can use to store my pics from my laptop to my ps3 ! Just encase something happens , cant have enough back ups . I have an External hard drive on the floor , that makes three back ups . Sorry to say XBL gave us a 9.3 mb software to do pics ! I KICKED IT OFF MY GAMING MACHINE TO MAKE ROOM 4 GAMES !

[adewers]

never mind all that bumph! when will sony get it's s**t together and sort out the fat32 external hdd issue? god only knows why an hd machine like the ps3 has no support for files over 4GB on an external drive! the internal hdd is ext3, but the damn thing can't read that over usb? ***?! never mind sill photo galleries sony, give the thing a set of balls!