PS3 update adds DivX and Profile 1.1

Sony yesterday added more new features to the PlayStation 3's through a firmware update, less than a month and a half after it added a remote-start option and information bar, among others.

Topping the list for many in the PS3's firmware update 2.10 is the introduction of DivX and VC-1 video-playback technology. Last month, DivX Inc. revealed that its proprietary file-compression format -- which has gained popularity for transmitting media files over the Internet due to its ability to balance quality with low bit rates, leading to smaller file sizes -- was already active in the PS3 software-development kit version 2.0. Earlier this month, the autumn update to the Xbox 360 added similar functionality.

The PS3's firmware update also upgrades the console's Blu-ray Disc drive, which bumps the player up to Profile 1.1 and adds picture-in-picture support as well as other features. Update 2.10 also adds a voice-changer feature, which lets users change the tone of their voice in both voice and video chat.

Sony's flagship console wasn't the only system to receive a firmware update today. The Japanese giant also updated the PlayStation Portable's firmware to version 3.80. The primary new feature added as part of update 3.80 is Internet Radio, which lets owners of the portable access "thousands of stations in a wide range of diverse genres."

The PSP update also allows all original PlayStation games to be played using the PS3-to-PSP Remote Play function. This applies to all original PlayStation games downloaded over the PlayStation Network and some spun using the original PS game's disc on the PS3.