Sony quietly released the firmware version 1.92 for its PlayStation 3 console, which according to the Japanese company brings minor bug fixes among other things.

No official word yet about those “other things” but according to posts from different PS3 forums the update gives console owners the possibility to set flash wallpapers on the XMB. One user mentioned that the load times for the XMB, the icons and the avatars have shortened. Moreover, the Internet browser has been improved along with the support for the PS1 and PS2 games, while the video section now features mini-clips.

One long expected feature for the SIXAXIS wireless controllers also seems to have sneaked itself in the new firmware’s code: the auto-switch-off function, which turns the controllers off after about 5 minutes of inactivity. Fans of Warhawk and Lair should be pleased to know that the controllers are also more responsive now, and that apparently Warhawk servers do not suffer from the previous observed clogging.

UPDATE 1

Sony has finally released the change log for the yesterday’s update and these are the main modifications that are available:

- the already confirmed wallpaper, which you can set as the background of the Xcross Media Bar
- the use of emoticons when talking to friends
- direct insertion of text into the Internet browser, using a keyboard connected to your PS3 through a USB port, and the possibility to save bookmarks
- unsampled output of audio CDs is still not supported, but with the revision 1.92 the option to set the audio output in the Music settings to 44.1/88.2/176.4 kHz has been added
- you can also play AVCHD-format video files that are saved on Memory Stick media or on the hard disk of a video camera.

You are advised not to update your system from any unauthorized sources for this could render your PS3 warranty void and you should also be aware of the fact that version 1.92 is solely intended for the US area.

For a full list of enhancements and improvements, check this link.