System software
Firmware
Similar to the Playstation Portable, Sony has added the ability for firmware updates to be downloaded and used on the Playstation 3. The updates can be installed via System Update, HDD, or a Game that requires a firmware update. The current version of the firmware is 1.10. Firmware 1.10 was made available on November 11, 2006. It includes support for the Playstation Network, Atrac, Full Screen Video, Playstation Store, Online User Manual and more. The PS3 reserves 64 Mb Ram at all times for XMB functions.
Default Interface
The PlayStation 3 version of the Cross Media Bar includes 8 categories of options. These include: Users, Settings, Photo, Music, Video, Game, Network and Friends. The PS3 includes the ability to store different user profiles, explore photos, play music and movies from the hard drive, compatibility for a USB Keyboard and Mouse, a full Internet browser and a Friends menu. Also, the Playstation 3 adds the ability to multitask in ways such as listening to music while surfing the web or looking at pictures. The PlayStation 3 cross media bar supports a variety of file formats (audio, image, video), with additional file formats under Linux[citation needed]. In a separate demo Sony presented the “Marketplace” where users can buy and download music.
Sony has also worked with Stanford University to bring the Folding@home project to the PS3. When downloaded, the program will run when the system is idle.
| “Because we have plans for having Linux on board [the PS3], we also recognize Linux programming activities… Other than game studios tied to official developer licenses, we’d like to see various individuals participate in content creation for the PS3.” | ||
| ——Izumi Kawanishi on the presence of the Linux in the PS3. | ||
Linux
Originally Sony stated that they were going to pre-install Linux on the PS3’s hard drive, but current units shipping do not include Linux preinstalled. Instead, Sony has made an option in the XMB menu to install other operating systems. Installation of an operating system is achieved by going to Settings > System Settings > Install Other OS. When installation is complete, the startup operating system can be changed. Sony has set up a web page which will list compatible operating systems.
On October 17, 2006, a month before the console release, Terrasoft announced a version of Yellow Dog Linux for PlayStation 3. Terrasoft will be using the PS3 for their own supercomputing clusters as well. Yellow Dog Linux 5.0 is already listed in Terrasoft’s store, for US$50 including a printed manual and DVDs for sources and pre-compiled applications; the applications include recent versions of the Linux kernel, the GNU Compiler Collection, Firefox, and OpenOffice.org. According to arstechnica, Yellow Dog Linux 5.0 will be made publicly available two weeks after the console’s launch. Terrasoft stated the installer “enables absolutely anyone to install without instruction.” Yellow Dog Linux 5.0 integrates code from the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, Sony, and Red Hat’s Fedora Core 5. Yellow Dog Linux on PS3 and the commercial Y-HPC cluster management software will be showcased in the Supercomputing 2006 tradeshow.
