Sony Confirms Facebook Coming to PSN

Rumors prove true as Sony announced plans today for Playstation Update 3.10, including Facebook support and revamped Photo category.

Confirming earlier reports, today Sony announced plans for an update to the PS3 firmware on the PlayStation blog. Foremost on the list of new features is the ability for users to link a Facebook account with their PlayStation Network account and update their status with PlayStation Store purchases and each time they earn a Trophy, according to the user's criteria. Also in update 3.10 is a revised Photo category and the new plethora of colors available for your PSN ID on the XrossMediaBar. No timeframe for the update was mentioned other than "soon."

The announcement is timely, as today is the day that Facebook and Twitter debut on the competing Xbox Live service. There is no information, however, from Sony whether it has plans for Twitter to be supported natively on PSN. Eric Lempel, PlayStation Network operations director, did mention that, "you can then check out your updates, and those of your friends, on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media favorites through the PS3's built-in web browser."

I suppose Sony should get marks for at least attempting to compete with XBL, but this announcement just falls flat, in my opinion. What does Sony gain by announcing this on the day a competitor launches something similar? Pure lip service for diehard Sony fans?

I've said it before, and I will say it again. Sony would be better served releasing something new rather than copying a competitor.