PS3 2.40 Firmware: Sony leaves a lot out

The Sony PS3 2.40 firmware update is a good step forward for the next-generation games console but many of the features we would want have been left out by Sony is this update, although it’s been said that they are “evaluating opportunities to expand on the new features delivered in 2.40”.

Being able to change the accessory settings is great as it was only a couple of days ago when I was playing Call of Duty 4 and the microphone was set to the Playstation EYE camera, this could not be changed as I was playing a game and now after firmware update 2.40 it can be change just by clicking the PS button. Although you cannot change sound, chat, music and other settings without quitting the game.

While in a game you cannot play videos, music and other media from external hard drives although you can play music from the PS3’s hard drive if this is supporting by the game. Many features that you see in the XMB while playing a game cannot be used and this also includes accessing the Playstation Store. So having them there seems a bit pointless at this time, but as Sony are looking at expanding on these new XMB features we could see more support in future firmware updates.

The biggest feature I feel that’s missed in 2.40 is the ability to voice chat privately while in games, it would have been cool but this is not possible. After moving from the Xbox 360 to the Sony PS3, private chats are the biggest feature I miss.

When you are in a game on your PS3 and click the PS button, you will see the option to invite friends and family to a voice chat has been grayed out, so this is not possible now but the Playstation blog has said, “We are evaluating the opportunity to offer voice chat”. For now you will have to make do with the added feature of private text chats while in games.

What features do you feel have been missed from firmware 2.40 and what would you like to see added to future updates?