Yet another PlayStation 3 firmware update is upon us, and this one adds new chat functionality.
As detailed in the PlayStation Blog: The 2.70 update brings a new Text Chat feature that enables you to communicate online with your PlayStation Network friends. Now, you’ll be able to chat with up to 15 online friends using the Wireless Keypad, on-screen keyboard, or other compatible keyboard peripherals. Not only can you chat with your friends instantly, but you can also access Text Chat while playing PS3 games and even participate in up to three chat rooms at once.
Sadly the PlayStation 3 is still unable to hold a persistent voice chat session from the XMB into a game.
Other new features of the new firmware include the ability to sort PSN friends by online status, as well as the ability to attach files up to 3 MB in size (up from the previous limit of 1 MB).
Those who use the video download service on the PlayStation 3 will also now be able to back up purchased videos to an external storage device. Backed up videos can be later restored to PS3’s internal hard drive for playback – surely something appreciated by those who have smaller or already-filled drives. Also, videos purchased for PSP may now be transfered to the PS3 for playback.
The 2.70 firmware update is due soon. Those who regularly access the PlayStation Network will be alerted as soon as it’s available upon the next login.
