One Best Buy in Staten Island, New York, is offering Geek Squad services to upgrade the firmware on all new 120GB PlayStation 3s for the low price of just $US29.99, according to a report from DualShockers. That’s a tactic we’re unfortunately familiar with.
According to the in-store ad, the firmware upgrade – which is mandatory, but simple to perform on your own – will make systems “run smoother” and “eliminates bugs and glitches”. The unadvertised side of this is that it also takes about five minutes to do on your own, as most informed PlayStation 3 owners know.
Better still, it’s free to download via the PlayStation Network or from PlayStation.com. Yes, it takes moments of your time and the dexterity to hit the correct buttons when prompted, but I’m sure you can format a USB stick and stick it into your PS3 without much trouble. Just follow these simple instructions.
Look, I hate upgrading my PS3 firmware to add features I never use as much as the next guy. But this a waste of money.
Best Buy Sells Free PS3 Upgrades [DualShockers - Thanks Kyle!]
Ben
Thursday, October 7, 2010 at 10:02 AMIt seems evil…
But are we sure this isn’t just to make sure purchasers of brand new systems have 3D Blu-ray functionality out of the box?
Stores ARE advertising the PS3 as supporting 3D blu-rays now. But that might be false advertising to anyone who doesn’t have access to broadband.
To me, this would be fine if it were pitched with accurate information. For people without broadband, this could be a worthwhile expense.
Tyronomo
Thursday, October 7, 2010 at 10:54 AMI don’t agree with the 3D upgrade being a reason.
1) It is not in the list on the poster
2) If they were advertising the console as a 3D movie machine, they would have to ensure the firmware upgrade was already in place (no charge) or be stung for false advertising
Ad
Thursday, October 7, 2010 at 11:21 AMFrom what I’ve read elsewhere, they’ll update the firmware once and that’s it. If Sony releases further updates, they won’t be included in the SKU they’re selling. It’s basically a scheme to part fools from their money.
Thom
Thursday, October 7, 2010 at 10:51 AMI’ll do it for $15.
John
Thursday, October 7, 2010 at 2:04 PMUpgrade two Playstation 3s and we’ll give you 5% off your next $200 Monster HDMI cable!
Dr_Stef
Thursday, October 7, 2010 at 2:27 PMNot unheard of this.. I know someone who payed $500 to hack his Wii. lol.
But $300 for a firmware update? haha.
Those poor ppl who fell for this..