PS3 getting download management Thursday

Last week, Sony revealed that forthcoming 1.6 firmware update would let PlayStation 3 owners take part in the Folding@home project. Now, Sony has officially announced that when the update comes out this Thursday, it will also add several nonaltruistic functionalities to the console.

First and foremost, the 1.6 update will enhance the PS3's downloading system. A download-manager tab will be added to the XrossMediaBar (XMB) where users can queue up to six downloads from the PlayStation Store. The update will also add limited background downloading functionality, allowing PS3 owners to watch videos, view photos, listen to music, and surf the Web while downloading PlayStation Store content. Sony did not say whether or not PS3 owners could play games while downloading content, as Xbox 360 owners can. The Wii does not offer any background downloading functionality.

The 1.6 update will also offer an alternative to the cell-phone-like predictive text system PS3 users must currently use if they do not have a USB keyboard. The update will add a virtual QWERTY keyboard to the console, which will let players enter text with the Sixaxis controller. It will also add support for keyboards and mice that use Bluetooth wireless technology.

Other features included in the upgrade include Remote Play PSP support for 20GB PS3s, disc autostart, and Blu-ray Disc Rewriteable (BD-RE) playback.

via gamespot