Sony’s latest patch for the PlayStation 3 offers some new features for all users that were previously reserved for PlayStation Plus subscribers. Firmware revision 4.50 allows for auto-downloading of updates, the ability to transfer data between the PS3 and Vita via Wi-Fi, and privacy settings that allow selection of whether or not you want to show your trophy collection.
As noted, these were once premium features for PlayStation Plus subscribers — things that could have made the PSN a much better experience for all, years ago.
- Auto download of system software updates has been expanded to support all PSN users.
- Auto download support of purchases made on the Sony Entertainment Network online store will be made available to all PSN users.
- New options for trophy privacy settings allow users to set which trophies are visible.
- Data can now be transferred from PS3 to PS Vita using Wi-Fi or an Ethernet connection.
The automatic update features must be toggled-on to use via the XMB. This feature is one that made the updating process a much faster affair as you can have the console check for updates while you are sleeping, download them in the background, and then install the next time you log-in.
Good move Sony, but you should have done it about two years ago as a free service for all and you likely wouldn’t have gotten so much bad press about the PSN.