Sony PS3 firmware 2.40 vs Xbox 360′s Live dashboard
Okay folks, I had a chance to download the latest PS3 firmware last night and test out some of its latest features and do a comparison with my Xbox 360′s feature set. Up to this point as many of you may know the PS3 has been lacking in features that rival Xbox Live dashboard.
Of course there are others that may argue the PS3 has other media features that the Xbox 360 lacks, but that’s a different story altogether. For our purposes we will focus mainly on features that enhance the gameplay experience.
In-game Messaging
This is the most asked for feature on the PS3 since day one. Why wasn’t this feature included? Who knows, but it’s finally here! While playing some Metal Gear online last night my buddy sent me a message and it was nice to be able to reply back.
VS comparison: This is pretty much comparable on both systems except the still glaring lack of keyboard support on XBL without going to the menu. I actually ended up having a 30 minute conversation with my friend, just plugged in my keyboard and we were messaging back and forth.
In-game Voice Chat
Painfully this feature was not implemented with 2.40, however Eric Lempel director of PSN promises us this feature is being evaluated and this won’t be the last of the firmware updates.
VS comparison: Xbox Live currently supports this cross chat feature, meaning one could chat with another person playing another game. A very useful feature if you do not like typing out a message.
Gamer Stats
This is probably the second most requested feature on the PS3 since there were no Xbox equivalent of Achievements or a Gamerscore. Now with 2.40, Sony has implemented a new and exciting Trophy system. With the trophy system you are able to compare trophies while in-game with your friends.
VS comparison: If you read my past impression of the trophy system here, then you probably guessed why I am so excited about this feature. The trophy system takes gamer stats or scoring to the next level literally, with addictive Call of Duty 4 or MMORPG World of Warcraft like leveling up mechanics.
I am excited to see how this leveling up aspect is implemented into Home in the future.
In-game Custom Soundtracks
Probably the least exciting feature to be added to the PS3, but I am sure some will welcome and enjoy this capability.
VS comparison: At this time it’s difficult to compare this feature due to only a few games like Super Star dust being patched (which I don’t have) so I was unable to test this out. However it’s a basic feature, I would assume it would work the same as XBL.
In-game Sound Option
Another option that’s not the most exciting feature but nevertheless welcomed, especially by me. Before if I wanted to use my wireless Blu-tooth headset while in game, I would have to escape the game to sync it to my PS3.
If I felt too lazy I could just plug my USB headset in, but with the cord being so messy that isn’t the best option.
VS comparison: I suppose there is really nothing to compare here, since the Xbox 360 doesn’t support any wireless Bluetooth headset.
Well that’s my brief run down of all the feature set currently available of last night. I am glad to hear Sony reassuring fans, that about 70% of their existing library will have all of these features implemented in the near future. Of course if any of the game studios care about people re-playing their games then getting this patch out should be top priority for them.
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31 Responses to “Sony PS3 firmware 2.40 vs Xbox 360′s Live dashboard”
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July 2nd, 2008
Mike Ferro plays MGSO? awesome! any other bloggers play on MGSO? also i’m a little confused about custom sound tracks, because i cant find a game which allows me to play my music in game (maybe i’m missing something, or maybe its not part of 2.40? but i thought it was). so far i’ve tried RFOM, MGS4, GT5 and Burnout paradise. and help/suggestions?
July 2nd, 2008
Bourne the games need to be patched in order for the custom sound tracks to work. Therefore none of those games will work until patched.
July 2nd, 2008
Bourne – didn’t you find MSGO alittle lackluster. Also the games are so short. I don’t know I only tried it for about a half hour but I wasn’t impressed. Maybe I’ll have to give it another try.
July 2nd, 2008
SW- thanks, but not good news.
Wylie – I dont really find it lackluster, it delivers what it says, although i will say that there was a lack of levels which was disapointing.
July 2nd, 2008
Re: Firmware 2.4
In-Game XMB is great, but I didn’t realize until I today that your can’t voice chat which I’ve had on my 360. Not a huge deal if Sony will release it before the year’s end.
Achievements…ya, I’ve never cared about them so a more important inclusion of 2.40 is that you can now have up to 100 friends on your friend list (double what it was with only 50).
Over all I’m happy with this update, but there’s still more Sony could be offering…like in game voice chat or Home (even a beta would be nice at this point).
July 2nd, 2008
Great update. I love my PS3.
Really, 360 doesn’t support keyboard or wireless headsets?
It’s weird (to me anyway) how Microsoft doesn’t support things like keyboards,wireless headsets and replaceable/upgradable hard drives, yet Sony does. You know, with M$ being who they are ‘n’ all.
July 2nd, 2008
The 360 has a wireless headset that can be turned on/off regardless of what you are doing in game. That part about USB only is rubbish, the wired headsets don’t use USB at all, they plug directly into a wired/wireless controller anyway.
Custom Soundtracks in ALL games, Acheivements/GamerScore in ALL games, in/out of game voice chat and text messages are features Xbox360 owners have been enjoying since Nov.2005
FYI
July 2nd, 2008
Uh- I use my wireless kb with my 360 just fine. And the headset is plugged into the controller so not an issue for me.
July 2nd, 2008
erm ive just noticed…shouldnt the xbox logo actually have a box with an X on it rather than a circle?
July 2nd, 2008
PAIN! supports the 2.4 update with custom playlists with the music on you HDD.
July 2nd, 2008
and also Sony says the Warhawk and PAIN! will be in support of the trophy system
“very,very,very soon”
July 2nd, 2008
360 supports USB keyboards (wireless and wired). They also have their own mini 360 keyboard that attaches to the controller and works great with Live/MSN Messenger chats(I have one). 360 headsets connect directly to the controller and are not USB. They’re the same kind you see for see for cellphones. They also have a wireless headset. The 360 can support 4 wireless headsets and 4 wireleses controllers at one time. No need to register Bluetooth devices. PS3 is maxed at 7 Bluetooth devices(which includes headsets and controllers). PS3 basically got Xbox1 custom soundtrack support: the game has to support it. All 360 games support custom soundtracks from day 1. Next time you decide to do a Versus article, I think I would know how both sides worked before posting.
July 2nd, 2008
In-Game XMB is great, but I didn’t realize until I today that your can’t voice chat which I’ve had on my 360. Not a huge deal if Sony will release it before the year’s end.
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I dunno.. i’ve heard more than a few complaints about this “feature” on the x-b system. People telling me, they’ll be playing some game and getting ‘random chats’ from people for whatever reason, and it just bugs them, as if they turn it off, then they can’t get chat from friends. (Dunno how it works, never used the X-box system or Live.)
July 2nd, 2008
The 360 has a snap-in keyboard for chatting that works well in or out of game… I use it regularly during games to chat with other gamers or friends on MSN. The 360 also has a wireless headset (several actually) although they are not bluetooth. You can also plug a wired headset into your wireless controller (thats what I do).
The 2.40 update brings some nice additions – and it’s about time. Unfortunately, none of the games I have support the trophies… let’s hope that some of the current games get updated…
July 2nd, 2008
What about the quick internet search icon?….even if 360 doesnt have a browser and can go on the internet, you still should of listed it
July 2nd, 2008
YOU GUYS ARE IDIOTS!!! THE 360 SUPPORTS USB KEYBOARDS AND HAS A LITTLE KEYBOARD THAT ATTACHES TO THE CONTROLLER!! ALSO I PLAY ONLINE USING MY AWESOME HALO 3 WIRELESS HEADSET, SO YOU SONY FANBOYS NEED TO SHUT THE F UP!!!
July 2nd, 2008
Yes, the 360 supports wireless headset, keyboard, etc. You should just quit writing reviews if you don’t even know those simple facts!
July 2nd, 2008
Mike Ferro really should have researched the keyboard thing before posting that. Finger of shame pointing at you, MIKEY!
July 2nd, 2008
You guys are all wrong, you cannot use the keyboard for messaging inside the game without going to the dashboard.
Read what I wrote carefully before jumping to conclusion.
On the PS3 you can use the keyboard inside the game as well as on the XMB for messaging.
There is a difference ya know?
July 2nd, 2008
Hmm – Sony Confirms Pulling PS3 Firmware Update
http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/vulnerabilities/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=208802265&subSection=Cybercrime
Any PS3 guys here having these problems?
July 2nd, 2008
nope
works just fine for me…….
July 2nd, 2008
good to hear spidey, hopefully they fix the problem and put it back online soon so others can get it too.
July 3rd, 2008
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooo
SONY YOU BITCH!! GIVE IT BACK!!! GIVE IT BACK!!
Kevin… you have gone TOO far…
July 3rd, 2008
wonder if it has something to do with unstable internet connections???
July 3rd, 2008
my 2.40 is running fine, i wonder if its the same consoles that experienced the same problem with GTA4? Ive still yet to have a problem with my ps3. Heres hoping i can still say that in a years time.
July 3rd, 2008
They pulled 2.40 before I could get home to download it…
-Arvis
July 3rd, 2008
Gtted arvis, perhaps some blogs/ other wibsites still have the download? perhaps you could transfer it vis USB, but i dunno.
July 3rd, 2008
Bourne,
Yes, there is a way to do that, but I’d rather not risk it. I’ll just keep waiting…
-Arvis
July 3rd, 2008
Tommy,
Thanks for clearing that up. I thought nobody was going to expose the lies of this site.
July 4th, 2008
Possibly Spidey. As in they were downloading the file and the wireless network drops out or something?
July 5th, 2008
yup, exactly winner…… but anyhoo, mine works. hopefully they will have it back online soon for everyone else.