PS3 Firmware Update Adds Photo Gallery

Update: The firmware update is now available. PlayStation 3 owners will be prompted to download the update upon signing into the PlayStation Network.

Original Story: Sony Computer Entertainment America has provided details on the next firmware update for the PlayStation 3, which it says will be "coming soon."

The v2.60 firmware adds an option in the main XMB to download a free Photo Gallery application, which will let users sort digital pictures by various criteria, and provides another way to make sideshows and photo playlists.

According to a PlayStation.Blog post by PlayStation Network director Eric Lempel, digital pictures can be organized by the camera used, "the event date and time, colors in the photos, as well as the number, ages, or facial expressions of the people pictured."

The forthcoming update will also pack enhanced DiVX codec support, allowing those ancient DiVX 3.11-encoded movies to be played, and the option for those without PlayStation Network accounts to browse the online PlayStation Store.