Today Sony has launched some significant updates to the Playstation 3 game console firmware upping it to version 2.00, making it one of the biggest updates seen for the console yet.

Of the handful of updates, the most significant has got to be the “remote power control”. This new feature integrates into the Remote Play functionality of the PSP allowing users to turn on and off their PS3 remotely through their PSP handheld console (provided they have an internet connection) from anywhere in the world. Prior to this, if users wanted to access any of their media through their PSP they would have to leave their PS3 turned on, which could waste a lot of electricity and unnecessary wear on the console. This feature lets users turn on the PS3 remotely, watch or listen to their media and then turn the PS3 off again, all remotely through the internet.

Other cool new features include customization options, letting users to customize the look and icons of the main menu with themes, select their own background image and create their own custom playlists for music and videos. Sony also added in a couple conveniences to the firmware 2.00 interface with an “information board” of news from Sony about PS3 updates and games as well as a “Playstation Network” menu option which is basically just a shortcut to the already existing online features.

If you want to check out the version 2.00 updates before you download it you can see it at the Playstation blog.

Playstation 3 Update Info