14 DAY TRIAL // Sony is announcing that a new firmware update is available for its PlayStation 3 gaming console. The catch is that the update is not really necessary for most users and that you probably can safely ignore it.
Firmware update 2.43 is specifically created to address issues with the consoles that Sony sold in Japan. It seems that if you live there, you will be prompted to download the update as soon as you turn on your console and you will also need to reboot once to get it installed. If you live anywhere else in the world, you will not be prompted to install the update and you needn’t worry about having any issue in case you choose not to get it. If you want to have your console up to date, you can certainly go to the System Update option, which is located in the Settings tab in the XMB of the PlayStation 3. Even if you get the update, it will not add any new functionality unless you live in Japan.
Sony has a bad habit of not letting users know what firmware updates really do work on their system. They tend to use vague phrases like “general stability improvements” or “better performance in some applications” instead of providing a clear list of features, fixes and changes. Sadly, even if some users always call Sony out on their lack of transparency, the trend is continuing with firmware update 2.43. Maybe Sony has chosen to only talk to Japanese news outlets about firmware update 2.43, but that seems a bit unlikely.
Sony is preparing the PlayStation 3 for a set of updates that will be required to support the fall launch of Home, the long awaited and much delayed social network which will integrate seamlessly with the XMB and with the already introduced Trophy system.