PS3 Firmware 3.40 is Live - Brings Playstation Plus, Facebook Integration and More

Firmware 3.40 is now available for download for your PS3. The upgrade introduces Playstation Plus, enhanced Facebook integration, video editing capabilities, five star game ratings, improvements to the photo gallery, and new power save settings.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the new features found in firmware 3.40 curtesy of the Playstation Blog:

• PlayStation Plus: PlayStation Network users will be able to purchase membership to PlayStation Plus; a new subscription service on the PlayStation Network that provides you with new options to expand and enhance your gaming experience and enable you to gain an exclusive set of features and content. Friendly reminder, all of you PlayStation Network users will continue to have free access to PlayStation Network’s unmatched and expanding suite of new and exclusive features while PlayStation Plus subscribers will gain access to an exclusive and expanding set of gaming features, content and functionality.

• Photo Gallery: A new network based photo sharing feature is now available on the Photo Gallery. The enhancement allows you to upload, browse and comment on photos on Facebook and Picasa Web Album. You can also opt to share your photos between your PlayStation Network friends as well as print photos from Photo Gallery.

• Video Editor & Uploader: Video Editor and Uploader is a new function found on the XrossMediaBar (XMB), which enables you to edit, save and upload video files stored on the PS3 system to sites such as Facebook or YouTube.

• Five Star Rating Support: Users can rate the PlayStation Store content they have purchased with one to five star ratings.

• Power Save Settings: The default setting for PS3 System Auto-Off will be set at 2 hours, providing you with additional power save options and further improving power save features on the PS3 system.

It amazes me that Sony would release its subscription service so soon when it appears that even they are unsure of exactly what it includes yet. I’m willing to subscribe to a premium service, but not until they solidify exactly what premium users will be getting for their cash.

As for the other features, the enhanced Facebook integration is fantastic. You and your friends are now able to view each other’s full PSN profile and compare trophies without leaving Facebook. A much nicer integration than was made in the last update.

Overall, it is a solid update, but it is a disappointment that the long awaited and highly anticipated cross-game chat functionality was not included. It makes me wonder if Sony ever plans on making this feature available, but only time will tell. The next firmware update of this proportion will most likely debut alongside the September 19th release date of Playstation Move, maybe we’ll see it there.