PlayStation 3 UI revealed to be PSP-like
by Christopher Grant 
{ May 14th 2006 at 9:00PM }
Sony was showing off the PlayStation 3's top level interface in what appears to be a private demo during E3. The UI obviously borrows its appearance from kid sibling, the PSP, with some new console centric tweaks: there's a "Users" menu, a web browser with some impressive (albeit very Mac OS X-looking) features, and "Friends" support for voice and video chatting, oh yeah, and gaming.
It's a sleek-looking piece of work (as is customary for Sony) but let's hope the thing scales well from the start. With the copious amounts of functionality being bundled into Sony and Microsoft's next-gen offerings, scalability should be central to the design. Of course, this is something Microsoft is (hopefully) rectifying right now in the 360's Dashboard (right guys?).
There's another video after the break showing off a nearly identical demo via QJ.net. We include it for thoroughness.
[Thanks to everyone that sent these in]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Sputnik @ May 14th 2006 9:06PM
Urm..Didnt sony say they were doing this already?
Kwipper @ May 14th 2006 9:12PM
You know... I like the layout. Minimal and effective.
Kefka @ May 14th 2006 9:13PM
Yes, but we get to SEE how it looks now.
Tim @ May 14th 2006 9:18PM
I like the smoke-like stream thing in the background. Very soothing and calming. I geuss it's safe to say I love this interface because I love PSP's interface.
Chris Clark @ May 14th 2006 9:18PM
I like the PSP layout, so I think this will work pretty well. As far as the browser capabilities, I'll be looking forward to a possible Bluetooth Keyboard and Mouse released by Sony.
UGN @ May 14th 2006 9:21PM
Very Minimalistic, very nice looking, very useful. No frills. The water effect in the background is great.
Moogle @ May 14th 2006 9:21PM
I hope it lets you do more multitasking than the UI seems to portray. What if you want to change tracks on a song while browsing the web and chatting with friends?
I like the webbrowser, especially what appeared to be a utility that picks apart the links in the page with their relevant text to scroll through instead of having to click or "tab" through like you can from a PC keyboard. I'd be worried that certain link-heavy pages *cough*joystiq*cough* might still be too hard to navigate like that.
I suppose one thing they could do would be to let an analog stick move like a mouse but links would have a sort of 'gravity' to make clicking easier, or instead of a 'pointer' to have discreet focus on links that changes to the nearest link in the direction moved. Maybe a button to let you swap between that mode and regular mouse mode?
Are you reading this Sony? :)
Jerome @ May 14th 2006 9:22PM
He went fast over the GAME menu!! Something to hide?
Since I own a psp I'll be fast going over the ps3 menu :P
The only thing I don't like with the PSP style menu is in the video menu, the way you need find the button you want to press rewind, play, slowmo, etc. It is not efficient. The websurfing is not great either, the options and all.
Khash @ May 14th 2006 9:22PM
I like the PSP menu so this is a nice sight. Why fix what isn't broken?
raymond @ May 14th 2006 9:23PM
ewww its plain and ewww...i definitely like the xbox 360's dashboard over the expaned crappy psp menu
dotun.o @ May 14th 2006 9:32PM
Nice... for a computer. But for a machine pretending to be like my computer (which I already invested fairly heavily into), not worth it, not at that price. I don't buy a console for itself; I buy it for its games. If these games were available for PC, I would never need a console. Now I'm not against combining features into a device; that's essentially what a computer is today. But for a machine trying to handle photos, music, browsing, etc. and probably sitting only a few feet away from my PC that almost certainly does everything better, not worth it. If Sony wants to sell a computer, it's their choice and there really isn't anything wrong with that. But I don't need another computer anytime soon.
kyou @ May 14th 2006 9:54PM
Hm... I wonder if you can actually play games with that keyboard and mouse. Yes! It would be almost like a computer! Perfect!
But seriously... why the hell do they have to add all that crap? I could just plug in my computer - or even better, my laptop - to my tv and it would work better. All I want from my console is to PLAY VIDEOGAMES! Yes... I admit it was kinda cool that the PS2 was able to play DVD's... that doesn't get too much in the way because the PS2 already had a DVD player. Back to the subject... do we really need or even want all that crap? The PSP has all that crap but I never use it since it has no games worth my time or money. Hell... the PSP is the most expensive paper weight I've bought.
Pikachelsea @ May 14th 2006 9:54PM
"I like the smoke-like stream thing in the background. Very soothing and calming."
I guess you'll need a lot a soothing and calming when you remember that you paid $600 bucks for that thing!
striderhayasa @ May 14th 2006 9:56PM
I feel you #10. Let's say the Ps3 wasn't 600 bucks and more along the lines of 400 with these features. Okay, great but as you say, I have a PC in the same room that will do everything the PS3 is trying to do and more. It's great (the PS3 features) if you don't have a PC but then again. You can get a decent rig for $600. "sigh" I just want a game console, I don't need a all-in-box that tries to do everything. I just want an affordable GAME console...
kyou @ May 14th 2006 10:00PM
P.S. The Xbox 360's is butt-ugly. Even if the PS3's cool looking menu is utterly unnecesary... it's still cool looking and aesthetic. Unlike the 360's childish-color-blind-clutter of a menu.
The_Predator @ May 14th 2006 10:08PM
Well. It looks like it works. There my hopes met.
jadenguy @ May 14th 2006 10:10PM
if i recall correctly, this type of interface was first seen on the PSX PVR. supposedly that psx is like an all in one superpackage that records and uploads basically everything to basically anything sony. the wikipedia article on it mentions a bit more about it. i'm intrigued, but i don't think i'll care until i get an hd tv.
LongshotX @ May 14th 2006 10:11PM
Are you serious? Looks like you'd be scrolling for shit for days. Imagine if you have a couple of hundred songs, pictures, or videos. That's going to suck.
James Sorensen @ May 14th 2006 10:35PM
psp interface is superior to 360 dashboard already since you can at least multi task, its good they are bringing it over to the ps3, also with video playable off hdd, will be much better than having to have media center edition windows running, although who knows how easy will be to put your own videos on hdd, but the crossbar interface is a great interface and its smart they are using it on ps3.... im not biased towards either system i will love them all, its just nice then when you pay a high price you get your moneys worth and a UI like crossbar is quality interface..
Jappleng @ May 14th 2006 10:45PM
So long as the UI isn't over the top and can do what it needs to do with minimal effort then i'm happy. the dreamcast UI was nice for what it needed to do. I'm not too fond of having a horizontal row of icons to look through, vertical is my style ^_^ Next UI needed: Wii!
ne @ May 14th 2006 10:56PM
#16. Are you serious? Looks like you'd be scrolling for shit for days. Imagine if you have a couple of hundred songs, pictures, or videos. That's going to suck.
XMB supports folders btw. You usually put stuff in a folder if you want to organise it correct? :3
Dan @ May 14th 2006 10:58PM
I paid $600 and this is all I get?
Momus @ May 14th 2006 11:10PM
Feature creep!
I love how when she got to the gamepad icon she went "Aaaand?!" before skipping it completely. Jesus, if gaming is so secondary then why bother outfitting the thing with such hi-tech gaming hardware?
Rog27 @ May 14th 2006 11:21PM
There is another bootable operating system they didn't show...and that is a PS3 version of Linux/Lindows. It boots separately but it is a full-blown operating system. You can develop homebrew on it or install open source applications on it and use it like a PC. It has a window and file structure similar to Windows, and it should be able to use peripherals when the proper drivers are installed.
Lt VAdali @ May 14th 2006 11:54PM
I am prett anti Sony, but I've got to say it looks good. Simple.
flyguy @ May 14th 2006 11:54PM
Sony = minimalistic and slick. Nice
It also equals little for content. Sony has to push their own brand (Sony BMG, Sony Pictures, etc.).
I'm not an expert on entertainment, but last time I checked, BMG wasn't doing so hot and Sony Pictures hve only one big thing, and that's Spiderman.
While I usualy don't feel sorry for big corporations,
I do for Sony. While their entertainment may be sucking, they still have to push their product. With the success of PS1 and PS2, they got lazy everywhere else....TV's, Music, Movies, MP3(or that dumbass attrac format or whatever) players.
REMEMBER, NO ONE COMPANY HAS COME OUT ON TOP THREE CONSECUTIVE GENERATIONS. NINTENDO WITH NES AND SNES...
SONY WITH PS1 AND PS2.
@_@ @ May 15th 2006 12:07AM
The layout is actually PSX-like and they used the same layout later for the PSP.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PSX_%28DVR%29
Picture of the PSX layout near bottom.
bobeotm @ May 15th 2006 12:22AM
In the video the rep says that the ps3 will support usb keyboards and mice. Since bluetooth is included, wireless mice and keyboards are possible, but may not be initially supported (maybe after a firmware upgrade).
I like the XMB design, it is used in the psp and in alot of their higher end products. It is elegant, minimal, and clean. Since everything works on a heirarchal system, large amounts of content wont be a problem. It will simply be categorized and branch off accordingly.
Personally, having used the Xbox blade system for a while, I have always felt it was a little too clunky. It isnt very efficient in the way it used space, and alot of it is graphical flash which detracts from ease of use. Dont get me wrong, its very nice, just not as easily understood and efficient as it could be to navigate.
The nice part of sonys xmb interface is that its all business. Its has just enough flashiness to be visually appealing, but it's primary purpose is to arrange things in an effient and logical way.
chris @ May 15th 2006 12:35AM
number 21 it never even came yet i like ps3 becuse of everything it can do fuck all ps3 haters
Pc @ May 15th 2006 12:46AM
I have just a few things to say real quick.....The PS3 rocks and the interface looks pretty cool !!! I own a 360 now and have owned every major system throughout my life and i have to say that the PS3 is worth every dam* penny spent on it !! Come on now guys....only $499 or $599 for a super machine thats all about games and multimedia. You gota remember how much money they spent making the baddest processor in the world (not to forget that blu-ray is also better than hd-dvd and is also inlcuded in the system) !!!! In response to # 11.. come on man the 360 is basically a pc but does less multitasking (pictures...songs)......and also in response to # 21 You need to look into what all it took to make the PS3....everything about it is brand new technology and better than anything now or in 5-10 years easily !!! Think before you just say crap because your a nintendo fanboy or xbox lover !! lol i guess i had more than a little to say :)
Robbie @ May 15th 2006 1:09AM
"It'll be a Sony in-house browser."
*shudder* We're spending $600, license Firefox or something.
Cikes @ May 15th 2006 1:17AM
Everybody can shut the hell up! If want the damn thing get it when it comes out.... If you don't then keep mind your own business. We all know everything will workout just fine when it is released.... Shit!
dsub @ May 15th 2006 1:21AM
#29
And the PS3 can do what that the 360 can't? Play blu-ray movies? Browse the web? (easily added to 360) man that's alot of shit for the PS3 to be doing.
While I agree this is a neat, sleek looking interface I think at this point in time sony needs to be doing everthing they can to prove as much as possible that the PS3 is worth what they want for it. A vast majority of folks agree that this thing is too expensive, even after everything they've shown at E3, and I don't think showing folks that it's got a web-browser is exactly a selling point on a $600 console. I don't mean to hate on the PS3, but what happend to all that DVR functionality and stuff? That is the kind of stuff that would make folks more prone to dropping $600 on a PS3. Not a web browser.
After using the 360 dashboard, I still have to say that at least by looks, it seems it would be easier to navigate. I don't like the whole relying on little symbolic images to setup categories. There may be some text there somewhere, but this is just a personal preference. There also doesn't appear to be any sort of sub-menu or online service menu for downloads and stuff of that sort. Granted, it's probably not complete. Still, this is a vast improvement over the lack of a UI on the PS2. Still not gonna make be drop $600 though.
jadenguy @ May 15th 2006 2:25AM
32: there is a comment box down here so people can voice their opinion one way or the other. they wouldn't include it if they wanted folks to 'shut the hell up.'
Carsten Bogner @ May 15th 2006 2:34AM
I like the PS3's XMB, because if it's like the PSP's it'll be easy as pie to navigate. I though it was interesting seeing the multiple browser pages on the screen.
The greatest gaming system ever to come out will soon be rocking peoples worlds with Blue-Ray capabilities and people are complaining about the price of $600, give me break. I don't see what's the big deal with that? if you were to buy lets see a nexgen gaming system lets say an xbox 360 and bought a blue-ray player seperatly it would way more than the PS3.
pommes @ May 15th 2006 2:35AM
Does anybody know something about the virtual keyboard capabilities of this dashboard? Do they have a MultiTap Layout like at the PSP or a ABC layout like on the XBOX360. Thanks for any information!
jojo29 @ May 15th 2006 2:38AM
well as for browsing they really wouldnt need a moust as hopefully you can navigate the cursor using the sensors built in the controller!! why look at that a practical use for the 'cheap rip-off' of a controller.
Can't wait to have my PS3 AND Wii controllers!!
Danny @ May 15th 2006 2:45AM
I do much prefer the XMB over the blade system. But you and I know that a good UI does not a good system make. Would you really shell out $600 for a system just because it's fun and easy to navigate through? Sony is really shooting themselves in the foot here. They are not giving the average consumer any reason pay a premium for their console. If it keeps up this way, it could be a battle between Microsoft and Nintendo this console cycle.
bobeotm @ May 15th 2006 2:51AM
I am not sure what type of virtual keyboard there will be. It just seems easier to get a usb keyboard and go that route, a barebones keyboard is pretty cheap nowadays. For me, I have quite a few usb keyboards lying around, so this will be nice.
Alot of the functions they couldn't demonstrate simply because those items rely on the network platform, which isn't up and running yet. Other functions couldnt be demo'ed because they would rely on gaming software, which as we all know is far from complete in most cases. So the range of features available in the xmb seems promising.
Pc @ May 15th 2006 3:21AM
Just for # 29.....No... the bluray player or web browser can't be easily added to the 360. Impossible for the blu-ray part of course because sony made it. Also the hd-dvd addon for 360 will only play movies and is not for games which sux for all the xbox fans!! Will also run you around $200 which would make it cost more than the ps3 and the 360 still is nothing compared to the ps3 when comparing processors either!! overall the 360 is a good machine, but if you have played oblivion..then you know the limits of the 360.....it had good graphics and shitty frame rate and would almost freeze if you started jumping around ....you could just tell the processor couldnt keep up with everything...it sux!! (ohh yeah...did you know the ram in the ps3 can also be upgraded along with the hard drive and other things...its awesome)
Pc @ May 15th 2006 3:24AM
On my last comment...I meant # 33....not 29 :)
Gogh @ May 15th 2006 4:28AM
But it doesnt seem to be very compatible with normal tv:s... Unless they have a some sort of a automatical scaler for it.
That sort of a small menu also brings us more into the computer style viewing, as you cant see it very far away from the sofa.
ill trooper @ May 15th 2006 4:53AM
Looks extra-tasteful. Nice one Sony! On the 360, while I think the 'Blades' interface has to be one of the best things Microsoft's ever done in regards to 'User Interface,' I also sometimes find it a little clunky and dense... Why so many menu pages for my account? Different areas for switching themes and blade themes? My preferences? 'Demos and downloads,' 'games to download,' 'games played,' 'last game played,' and finally, the ever-frustrating 'play game?' YES DUH! And I know that machine can run faster than it does... Counting the games I've downloaded every time I stop on that blade?
Anyway, this PS3 could suffer from that too, but since this is really just a proof-of-concept piece for E3, there's still hope alive that someone will really nail the way we interact with all the things these consoles can do.
For me, the Sony rep skipping over the 'games' area isn't that big of a deal... C'mon, there's been dozens and dozens of movies on YouTube, etc., of games being played on the PS3 at E3. This was a video of the INTERFACE.
ladySeven @ May 15th 2006 6:34AM
Sony hid out a few pieces of the functionality; apparently on top of being an amazing multimedia machine, it also makes really awesome ham sandwiches and will take your kids to school. The $600 version? It'll scrub your floors and download porn for right when you get off of work.
Umm, I guess my point is that It's great and all... but 99.9% of what I do with it will be "Insert game, Play."
Pete @ May 15th 2006 6:50AM
I don't understand this logic that a PS3 is worth $600 because it includes a blu-ray player. If my memory serves me correctly the DVD players in the PS2, XBox, and the 360 are all crap. So for your $600 you get a good games machine, and a pos blu-ray player, oh and a Sony made web browser. Pretty much all software Sony has ever put out is total garbage, anyone who has used SonicStage knows this.
If you really want a PS3 and a blu-ray player, wait 2 years and get the PS for $500 (heh wishfull thinking) and a good blu-ray player for $200 or so. It'll cost more still but it'd work much better. And if blu-ray dosen't catch on then you aren't stuck with having wasted money on dead hardware.
play free games @ May 15th 2006 8:34AM
Very much like the psp interface; I really like it. Though the functionality is not much more than XBMC with a really nice gui.
striderhayasa @ May 15th 2006 9:30AM
I agree Pete. I had sonic stage years ago when I got my first MD player and it's total garbage. It constantly crashed my PC. Totally unreliable and Atrac 3 is such a ripoff. I will never trust Sony when it comes to software implementation.
I think too many people are missing the point here. Blu-ray is being force fed to the consumer. We don't need it, period. I just saw floppy (really flexible) CDs that can hold up to 9.7GBs on Engadget. These CDs can then be layered for up to almost one Terabyte of storage. Then there are the 4.7GB CDs that were developed in the Ukraine and Russia. Cheaper to make than a regular CD and a bit thinner. 1.8 inch and 2.5 inch HDDs are holding more storage than ever. I just saw a wafer thin flash drive that holds 16GBs not to mention the 2.5 inch 80GB drives. Blu-ray is a dead issue because it's not going to matter in 4 years or so. Mini HDDs are going to hold so much storage and be so small, who the hell is going to want to burn GBs of storage anymore when you can just do a firewire or USB transfer.
Sony is using the PS3 as a trojan horse to push blu-ray because they invested heavily into it. If it fails then they take huge losses. PS3 is being pushed as a multi-media box because as a game machine, Microsoft has their number. First to market, cheaper than the PS3 and with a lot of great features, 360 is a serious console, love it or hate. Also with blu-ray, I have no intention what-so-ever of repurchasing my entire DVD collection, even if Blu-DVDs comes down in price. For Sony to ask the consumer to do this (again) to support the PS3 is ridiculous.
The interface is also going into Microsoft territory. Let's not forget that MS is known for Windows first and foremost. While it may not be the best operating system, it is the most widely used operating system in the world.
Last but not least, Sony is still hurting because they thought that they would be able to take the portable market the way they took the console market. Unfortunately, the Sony name and superior tech didn't help there. E3 was a painful example of which portable is better with the DS enjoying many great games in the pipeline with PSP having only a select few. I think this caught Sony by surprise especially with current sales figures in Japan show that the DS lite outsold the PSP by leaps and bounds (again).
Courtesy of the Magicbox
- Here are the Console Hardware sales in Japan for May 1 - 7, 2006:
1. DS Lite - 161,010 units
2. PSP - 37,946 units
3. PlayStation 2 - 32,030 units
4. Nintendo DS - 24,428 units
5. GBA-SP - 7,144 units
6. GB Micro - 3,830 units
7. Xbox 360 - 2,019 units
8. GameCube - 1,460 units
9. GBA - 87 units
10. Xbox - 44 units
Sony is feeling the heat. This browser is a perfect sign of that when it's so similar to the PSP UI and the gaming functions were curiously ignored in the demo. Ultimately, the PS3 is too expensive for a game console, which is ultimately what it's going to be used for. It also further rapes the consumer with the expectance of re-purchasing DVDs to support the new format (29.99 - 39.99 at retail per disc) and again forcing the consumer to purchase a HDTV with the needed gear, digital receiver, cables etc, to fully take advantage of the tech inside the box...if it actually works without overheating. I'll pass.
ResidentGamer.com @ May 15th 2006 10:32AM
I'm very underwhelmed by this UI. Are you sure they didn't just hook up a PSP to a TV? For $600 I better get the best freakin' UI in the world. I just don't think that a $600 system is gonna fly. I still don't see the value in getting one. I wasn't blown away by to much of anything. And Sony is making the mistake of putting out something so expensive that people in the hoods will pass it over for the Wii. I think by this time next year Sony will be #3 with the Wii and Xbox 360 taking the market over.
ResidentGamer.com @ May 15th 2006 10:34AM
Also was there any talk of how much the adverage PS3 game would cost? If the system is $600 then is a game $80-100?
This is so NEO-GEO
dotun.o @ May 15th 2006 10:46AM
@ #30 (in their response to #11):
That's why I feel neither machine, Xbox360 or PS3, is worth the hype. They are pretentious computers. Like I said, if they want to sell computers, then they let us know they're selling computers.
Am I a Nintendo fan? Yes, a fan of their games as well as the games of others too. I don't need Nintendo's or anyone else's console if PCs played their games, but they make me buy their consoles to play their games. I can only be thankful that Nintendo is smart enough to understand that many people already have multimedia-capable computers and so focus on gaming, adding multimedia features OPTIONALLY. If they had the same approach as MS and Sony (inevitably leading to high prices), I would be just as turned off.
Fandom aside, let's put it in perspective: A console handling multimedia compulsorily, making me pay high prices compulsorily, after I had spent good money on my PC that's already doing all that and better, and on top of it all still at a loss price for the console maker itself. Face it, you're buying a second PC at $500-$600; it's okay for some but not worth it for me.