PlayStation 3 Firmware Update 2.60

PS3 owners may have noticed a new firmware update in the last 24 hours. The new version 2.60 is now live and ready for download upon connection to PlayStation Network. The latest update provides a few minor improvements to the console’s media capabilities including photo viewing tools and a compatibility to a new version of the DivX codec.

What separates the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 from the dedicated gaming console (Namely Wii) is these high-powered consoles are also great media set-top-boxes. The newest update is firmware ver. 2.60 and provides some new tools to make it easier to browse your digital photography collection.

The latest firmware will allow you to better organize your digital pics by introducing category groupings. You can now arrange your photo viewing experience to browse by various categories including what camera you used to take the picture, time/date, colors in the picture, number, age and even facial expression on people. You can also create slideshows set to music and build your own photo-playlists. For all the photo-viewing tools you’ll need to install the Photo Gallery application separately from the Cross Media Bar after you’ve performed the firmware revision.

Other features of the new update includes the ability to let non-PlayStation Network members access the Sony PlayStation Store and DivX 3.11. Yes, now you can use the DivX 3.11 codec in your PlayStation 3, a welcome addition for power users who want to build a movie collection.