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| The PS3 ad, source - playstation3fanpage.weebly.com |
The next-gen PS5 has come out, but with unusually less stock. So people are naturally still stuck with their PS4 and some, like me, with a PS3. Don’t get me wrong, the PS3 is still capable of offering a lot more than you’d think, not just for gaming. You may consider reusing, lending, donating or even selling (if it's in good working condition) it instead of tossing it in your storeroom to eat dust.
Raise your hand if you used your PS3 just for gaming (mine’s raised). Many users don’t know the true potential of their PS3. Your good old PS3 has quite a few features that may have made many Xbox 360 or Wii fans jealous. It was way ahead of its competition when it came to features. You may have heard, a system update was released on 3rd Dec last year, nearly 3 years after it was discontinued. Long live the PS3.
#9 Media Collection
You can easily store, view and listen dozens of photos, videos, movies and music in your PS3 or just plug in a USB (FAT32 format) and play media right from it. The PS3 has dedicated software just for these. It also includes Spotify, so you can make your gaming sessions more enjoyable.
#8 Navigate with your TV remote
The PS3 has a pretty cool and helpful feature. You can navigate using your TV remote. But why would you use the remote when you have a controller? Well, simply for viewing media. Especially if your parents or grandparents want to since using a remote is always easier than a controller.
Sony also released an official PS3 remote exactly for this purpose.
#7 Using a keyboard and mouse to surf the web
The built-in web browser isn't great. But it was a big thing when the PS3 launched. Surfing the internet from your couch? How amazing is that! Now, using a controller to surf is definitely not a good idea. What to do? Hmmm... Just use a keyboard and mouse like you normally would!
#6 Media streaming
One the many reasons to reuse a PS3 - streaming media. The PSN Store offers a variety of apps including video and movie streaming apps. Youtube, Netflix, Primevideo, Crunchyroll and many more are still there (apps depend upon your region). Thus, you can make your PS3 a dedicated streaming device! Just don't expect 4K and newer services like Disney+ and HBO Max to be available. The PS3 doesn't really replace a smart TV but hey!
#5 Remote play
Access your PS3 from wherever you are in the world - yes, you heard it right - by using a PSP or PS Vita. Sony did allow select VAIO PCs and mobile devices to use this feature, but you can't find an old VAIO PC easily nor use the mobile app since it's updated to support PS4 and PS5.
The PS3's video and audio are streamed to your PSP, just like Steam Remote Play, allowing you to navigate and view any kind of media stored and play a handful of games.
#4 Blu-Ray
The PS3 was the best all-rounded media player back then, crushing Xbox 360's HD DVD drive. Sony included the new tech to its gaming console which can play all sorts of disc formats. Load a disc of a beloved movie or a recording of your 10th birthday, without requiring to buy an extra blu-ray disc drive.
#3 DLNA
The PS3 includes a feature I find revolutionary and underrated. DLNA(Digital Living Network Alliance) allows any media to be streamed from your PC and mobile phones using a software to the TV that is connected to the PS3. Enjoying photos and videos to bring back old memories or watching movies with family on a big display like a TV is always better than to see on a laptop screen or monitor.
#2 Gaming
The most obvious of all. Gaming on PS3 never gets old. Yes, the PS4 is superior and the games look better but the PS3 isn't too bad either. Tell me, most of you bought the PS3 to experience FHD gaming because you didn't own a gaming PC or laptop.
You know PS4 can't play PS3 games and never will. There are tons of great games that are only playable on the PS3 including exclusives like Uncharted, Last of Us, Ratchet And Clank, Little Big Planet and Metal Gear Solid although some have been remastered and ported to PS4.
The most significant advantage the PS3 has over the PS4 and even the Xbox is that online multiplayer gaming is free. Most of the game servers are working too. That's why gaming communities are still preserving online multiplayer games like GTA and Call of Duty series. You'll find many users who are still playing these games on their PS3.
#1 Homebrew
Look, I know this topic lies in the grey area but homebrew can still be counted as a feature AND a reason to use a PS3.
Backing up PS3 games, playing PS2 and PS1 games (natively if you own a fat PS3), playing games off the USB drive, adding mods, installing retro emulators to play old console games, tweaking the system and so on.
I have no intent of persuading you to install homebrew software and promote piracy. Do it at your own risk. You may get your console banned.
The PS3 does live up to its ad. So, which of these features did you know about and which of these you didn't? Will you be reusing your PS3? Are you still an active PS3 user?
Feel free to comment below!
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