The beta test was launched yesterday on the PlayStation network.

First off, the download was slow however worse was to follow. Immediately upon installing, an update was required to version 1.01 which was took me, on a fast connection, over an hour to download. Many PS3 users have also complained that in some cases the update was halted half-way through.

Quite frankly, it is appalling that you can download an item only just added to the store and immediately it requires an update. It happened with Gran Turismo and it’s happened again. If you are downloading from the store you should be downloading the LATEST version. Simple.

Worse was to follow. To play the trial, which was originally planned to begin on Monday, you need to sign up for a free Konami ID and Game ID. For many PS3 users this simply isn’t working. You are connected to the relevant web page but users either can’t connect, or cannot complete their registration due to timeouts.

The whole thing has been poorly thought through. Surely Sony, and Konami, must realise the kind of numbers of people who will want to download this demo and then, obviously, register an ID.

Doubts are already being raised that the game’s online features will simply not be ready in time for the June launch date, which may now possibly be put back yet again.

How are you doing with it? Have you downloaded your Konami ID yet? Let us know in the forum

The new update is said to be here this month (that’s April folks), and Sony say that we can all look forward to a special update, come mid-April. What that will be is anyone’s guess, although i personally am hoping for Home, or even a demo of the much anticipated Metal Gear Solid 4. The store, it is said, will gain a new design, interface and navigation. It also stated that current users of the store will not be affected, and so they can just look forward to the new overhaul. Although this also means that anybody that has not yet downloaded the fantastic Gran Turismo Prologue (shame on you), can still do so while the new update is incorporated, OR you can find the best price for the game HERE.

The full news item can be found on the official playstation store here

While you wait for the new update, you might like to view these quite nice looking screen shots of the new store layout. ENJOY.

The most significant change in v2.20 is the compatability with the new Blu-Ray standard – Blu-Ray 2.0.  New Blu-Rays will feature this BD-Live feature which can incorporate extra features, such as connecting to downloadable content.  War and Saw IV were amongst the first Blu-Ray’s to feature this new BD-Live upon their release in January of this year.

Another feature implemented is Resume Play which enables users to start playing DVD’s and Blu-Ray’s from the point at which it was last stopped (even if the disc has been removed and the power turned off).

The PSP can now function as a remote control for the PS3′s audio output.

DivX video files greater than 2 Gb in size can now be played on the PS3.

The new version is specifically designed to ‘improve operating stability’ according to Sony. In recent weeks, as the number of users has increased on PS Online, some issues have cropped up with games such as Call of Duty 4.

The last time Sony introduced an update quoting the same reasons it was to assist in network problems with Warhawk, at that time the biggest online game for the PS3.

Several large updates are in the pipeline, such as ‘in-game XMB’ and a video download service.

PS3 Software 1.90 – Major Changes

The most significant and noticeable change for PS3 fans is that the new update enables you to change your background wallpaper to your own custom design. To utilise the cross media bar – PS3 wallpaper sites will be springing up left right and centre and we will upload a collection of the best designs on to the website. Most wallpapers will be made to the resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. (We have uploaded a KillZone wallpaper at the bottom of this article for you to try out)

Another tidy change is that no longer will the PS3 controller need to be ‘wired’ in to the machine while you perform an update.

You can now use emoticons which is great news for those of us who regularly use forums!

In the last update Sony improved DVD upscaling output, to help make standard DVD’s look that little bit better on our PS3′s. In this update, Sony has improved the upscaling of CD’s to make the music quality even better when played via your PS3.

You can also now eject the disc without leaving your site – with an option available in the Games section of the XMB (Cross Media Bar).

Avatars are now animated during voice/video chat and will move to the sound of your voice.

AVCHD-format video files can now be played.

You can adjust the display settings whilst a PlayStation or PlayStation 2 game is in progress.

Summary

This is a good update and the wallpaper changes are sure to add a real touch of personalisation for everybody’s own unique PlayStation 3. We look forward to seeing your designs and we would love for you to let us know the links of any new PS3 wallpaper websites.

Sony is continually improving the system software and since the launch of the PS3 in Europe – system updates have become more regular and more involving. We look forward to the next updates, and hope Sony have something special for version 2.0 – but I guess we already know what that is going to be…. PS Home!

Killzone PS3 Desktop Wallpaper (Click for full size)