PS3 Firmware 2.2 Update This Week

Sony just announced the release of a new firmware update that promises increased interactivity through the use of the more interactive BD-LIVE format, which enables users to download trailers, ring tones and other media content.

The much touted BD-LIVE format already has several compatible titles on shelves now, including War and Saw IV, with Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story and The 6th Day slated for release in early April. Disney has also committed to future releases with BD-LIVE functionality.

The update will include “resume play”, a feature that allows a movie to start from prior stops, even when the disc has been removed from the PS3.

For those who simply game on their PS3, Sony hasn’t forgotten you. The update will increase the PS3’s browser speed, making page loads faster (thank God!). Rounding out the update is an improved audio output feature that allows PSP owners to remotely control music played over their PS3.

Blu-ray is far from finished from a development standpoint. Continuing research on disc layering looks like a viable option for increasing storage capacity and that’s going to go a long way towards increasing the format’s longevity.

As this firmware update proves, one of the best aspects of the PS3, amongst all of the Blu-Ray enabled devices, is the fact that Sony can update and improve its functionality from time to time with downloaded patches.