Playstation 3 Store New and Updated

April 14th, 2008 could not come soon enough for most Sony Playstation 3 fanatics. Since the Playstation 3 launch, the "store" had been ridiculed for long loading times and a discouraging interface. Users complained that downloads, addons and other features were not easily accessible. It seems as if Sony listened to Playstation 3 gamers, because the new store has been revamped. A simple design, exciting colors and a user-friendly interface portrays downloadable content in an exciting new way.

After downloading and installing the 2.30 Firmware update, the first task a PS3 owner should do is check out the new store. Once inside, you'll immediately notice that the store opens without waiting several minutes, enabling you to find the newest content for your specific games or other content.

The home page of the store has 3 main verticle columns, with each column hosting different content. The far left column includes New Releases, Downloadable Games, Content by Title, Addons, Demos, Videos, Themes and Wallpapers, and Featured Items. The other two columns are for new release content and similar items which will be changed when new content is released.

A favorable part of the new Playstation store, is the ability to play videos as you download them. You could choose to download a Gran Turismo 5 trailer and watch it as your download completes. Many people might not realize the ease of this process, but it is something that needed to be changed over the original store.

Aside from the new Playstation store, the Firmware 2.30 update also includes a couple of interesting features which boost Sony's Blu-Ray technology. Home audio enthusiasts will enjoy DTS-HD Master Audio. In a nut shell, you need High Definition Sound for that High Definition picture. This firmware update allows the most exciting audio clarity that gamers and movie watchers have seen up to this point on a game console. Not only does the Sony Playstation 3 compete with any other Blu-Ray player on the market today, it now competes for audio output, thus making the PS3 a crowned king for Blu-Ray and gaming.