by: Stephen Kamizuru
Update provides 16 player in game text chat
Sony has released PlayStation 3 firmware update version 2.70 to the public. The update incorporates a variety of changes with a new text chat system being the most noteworthy.
The firmware update provides the user with a text chatting system that lets you chat with up to 15 online friends using the PS3 Wireless Keypad, on-screen keyboard, or other compatible keyboard peripheral. According to the features listed on the PlayStation Blog post, text chat will be accessible while playing PS3 games and chatting in up to three chat rooms at once will also be possible.
This update also makes minor changes to features accessed from the XMB. The XMB is the cross-shaped interface used to access the PlayStation 3 menu. The change will allow you to sort your friends based on their online status and you will also be able to send attachments in email messages with a maximum size of 3MB instead of 1MB.
Other changes this firmware update makes are video related. The update provides you with the ability to back up video files purchased from the PlayStation Store to an external storage device. The files can be restored to the PlayStation 3 for playback when you decide you want to view them again. In addition to this change videos you have purchased for your PlayStation Portable can now be transferred to the PS3 for playback.
Eric Lempel, Director of PlayStation Network Operations, provides a video walk through of the new features viewable from the PlayStation blog.
