PlayStation 3 XMB walkthroughs
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Nov 3rd 2006 at 1:25PM }
Engadget and IGN hit us with some Cross Media Bar (XMB) love. These previews of the PlayStation 3 interface, which is adapted from PSP, show how strikingly different Sony's design is from its competitors'. The no-frills UI is easy to navigate, but it's also cold and doesn't invite users to spend time with it the way Xbox 360's "fun" presentation does -- it doesn't shove ads in our faces either.
Still, buried within the simple row of icons and menu stacks are some valuable applications. IGN previews the slick Photo Album feature, which boasts an impressive automated layout mode that puts 360's simplified slideshow tool to shame. Early indications suggest Sony didn't lose sight of the importance of a well-designed multi-tasking interface.
Engadget gets deeper into XMB, previewing the browser, Folding@Home client, and PlayStation Network's friends and messaging features:
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Snorri @ Nov 3rd 2006 1:38PM
Might be ok-sih compared to X360, but no where near as good as Wii's GUI
The1 @ Nov 3rd 2006 1:38PM
People may hate the X360 interface. However, I think it's very user friendy. I do not like the PS3 menu because it reminds me of my PSP; which I never liked. Since, I am getting a PS3 at launch, I will not have any fun with the menu. :( You would have thought SONY was going to make a killer interface since they tout the PS3 as being the greatest invention ever.
Skwurl @ Nov 3rd 2006 1:38PM
Those PS3 menus are damn slick, much prettier than the Wii and 360 in my opinion. Also, the photo slideshow animations are incredible.
> @ Nov 3rd 2006 1:41PM
I like it. But, it should have a dedicated audio player.
Damocles @ Nov 3rd 2006 1:43PM
Guys, I heard from this site http://thewiikly.zogdog.com/article.php?article=52&ed=5&p=6
That the PS3 is actually WEAKER than 360. Please don't give me a minus star.
I just thought it would be important to follow up on the romor.
IGN themsleves said it too! I know most everyone hates them, but maybe this time people should listen.
I'm not trolling, I'm just thinking 'what if it were true'?
IslandLife @ Nov 3rd 2006 1:45PM
Snorri are you kidding me?!!
Wii's GUI was pretty generic & archaic as far as interface design goes. Since they stole everything else from Apple, asthetically speaking, you would think that they would get some interface design lessons from OSX. Guess not.
BTS.WRKNG @ Nov 3rd 2006 1:52PM
It's certainly much better than the 360 "blade" interface (which when I see it always bring to mind a comment made by Steve Jobs about Microsoft in the Triumph of the Nerds PBS documentary: "They just have no taste.")
This is nice and clean and elegant and looks like it goes with a high-end piece of kit like the PS3.
I like the Wii interface best, though, from what I've seen.
crono141 @ Nov 3rd 2006 2:40PM
sure are a crapton of options.
> @ Nov 3rd 2006 1:56PM
RE: wii interface ...
Its designed for a point an click environment, using a handheld pointer (similar in function to a laser pointer) instead of a digital 'cross' pad (like everything else).
That means you need (relatively) gigantic buttons that are easy to point to (the small icons on the PS3 would never work)... which limits the number of buttons you can have on the screen at once (lots of page turning). Tiny icons (PS3) are fine if all your doing is using to d-pad to focus lock on them.
The wii gui buttons also have to take on a regular shape (like a sausage) to improve pointability. And, i suspect the onscreen KB will be a pain to use.
The pro side, you can make the interface easy to use; just point and click. And, outside of gaming functions, its not like the Wii is feature ladened (it really isnt) to require a complex interface.
number40one @ Nov 3rd 2006 1:57PM
Wow. Very neat looking. I don't own a PSP, so I'm not familiar, so it seems pretty cool to me.
yke @ Nov 3rd 2006 1:58PM
the person on the end of the video should stop drinking whiskey and stop smoking :)
Also, does anyone know what kind of videosupport the PS3 delivers? (xvid / divx??)
mykie @ Nov 3rd 2006 1:58PM
The user interface sure is pretty to look at but it certainly is far from user-friendly.
There are menus springing off of menus, settings buried under 2-4 submenus, and way too many advanced settings (regional encoding? how is that even relevant to playing games?) for most casual users. Nevermind that the text is entirely too small, probably will not be readable on an SDTV.
The virtual photo album is neat about once or twice, and you can rearrange the photos once the system plops them down.
One thing I did notice was the very IE-like "Page Cannot Be Displayed" thought that was kinda silly.
Dandam @ Nov 3rd 2006 2:06PM
I am fucking sick of all this PS3 bias and Xbox 360 fanboys (Wii aswell), I am going to get a PS3, nothing will change my mind. Joystiq need to sow the fairness in games and equal. Not some Wii Shit.
rrenna @ Nov 3rd 2006 2:06PM
I like the blade system better, and isn't the picture viewer pretty useless if you have to plug in a camera/usb key to use it? Or can you stream pictures from your pc also?
Jonikiro @ Nov 3rd 2006 2:09PM
What's the name of that song in the background??? It's really nice!
Tyler @ Nov 3rd 2006 2:19PM
The thing is is that whatever console you own, you are more than likely to say that their console's interface is the best. I have a 360 and I personally love its interface: simple, organized well, customizable the way I like, boatloads of great features, etc. (BTW I love the cool watery effect that you get when you have the Vision camera). Right now, I can't say that I'm into the PS3's interface that much. Maybe if I get a PS3, I'd feel different though. Who knows. People will disagree with me. That's fine because they are entitled to their own opinion. What irks me the most is when fanboys of any side claim for no apparent reason (other than being a fanboy) that their UI is better or whatever else.
I think it's great that all 3 consoles have their own unique UI and with it comes with its own benefits and downfalls. Whatever console you own, you're going to probably like that UI the best because you will have grown used to all its intricacies and whatnot. Just stop bashing "just because" you don't like that company. It just shows how immature you are.
Agent MOO @ Nov 3rd 2006 2:21PM
Looks like it would be good for a DVD Player or TV...
skuzmak @ Nov 3rd 2006 2:28PM
Horrible UI, something I would expect to see on the back of a digital camera. I appreciate the minimilistic asthetic, but come on, it looks like a last-minute tacked on effort.
Bob A. Booey @ Mar 29th 2007 6:06PM
My GUI can kick your GUI's ass and you know it!
Iscariote @ Nov 3rd 2006 2:28PM
Obviously I've never used the PS3 but I prefer the 360's blades to my PSPs menu bar thing.
Ian @ Nov 3rd 2006 2:29PM
I'm suprised that no one has mentioned how similar the interface is to that of Microsoft Media Center Edition. Note that I'm not bashing Sony for that, as I'm a big fan of Media Center's look and feel. But the whole "vertical bar of icons intersecting with horizontal bar of icons" really does bear an uncanny resemblence to Media Center Edition.
sarcastor @ Nov 3rd 2006 2:32PM
1. that ps3 interface is gonna suck on anything smaller than a 27" tv
2. that's a nice rendition of the He-man theme song.
Moogle @ Nov 3rd 2006 2:41PM
I think Tyler made a pretty good point about your favorite UI being the one you've become familiar with.
The first time I touched a 360 in a store, I got lost in the blade ui. It wasn't organized the way I guessed, and it's a bit... energetic? Hard to focus on, esp. in a distracting environment. I'm sure that all 3 uis will become very easy to their owners as you become familiar with them.
Offhand, I'd posit that the Wii's interface lends itself more to the store-isle experience than the other two.
TB @ Nov 3rd 2006 2:43PM
Looks nice, but I can imagine it not working so well on smaller TVs. Just sucks that it isnt always on. You have to quit out of your game to text msg a friend! Where on 360 you can at any time in any game and play songs off your PC, test msg one friend while voice chating with another friend that's playing a completely different game online. Seems like a step backwards for $600.
VampireHunter Z @ Nov 3rd 2006 2:48PM
It's really a boring interface in comparison to the 360. Every blade on the 360 has a different background and color. The 360 is also more colorful. The white text on this UI gets old quick. I also like the sound of the blades as they zip across.
In terms of usability the blades have names instead of just icons like the PS3. The icons are straight forward but you just can't beat actually words naming the blades. Navigation is about the same up, down, left, right. And contrary to what people think the 360 is more simplified in terms of navigation. If you were to take all those horizontal icons and turn them into blades you would have like a dozen blades.
phipscube @ Nov 3rd 2006 3:04PM
For Media, XMB is fantastic and quick to navigate (Just like MCE is). Xbox 360 Blade interface is very good for games, but clumsy for media access (Hence why the MCE extender function is built in). My personal choice is the XMB. The best thing for navigation is how you can jump different media categories without going "back" and "Forward". But saying that, I like that MCE remotes have shortcuts to Video, Music, TV, DVD. Doesnt look like PS3 remote has those quick access buttons, But I think XMB's speed will make up for that. (Im sick of seeing the MCE spinny wheel timer all the time when it just stops for multiple seconds whilst deciding what music is stored locally and loading pictures).
Overall, alot of you guys are looking at the aesthetics and not the useability. If you just play games, then XMB isnt for you, its well and truely designed for MEDIA.
Silver @ Nov 3rd 2006 2:56PM
I like the OS X menu bar-style icons.
JJ @ Nov 3rd 2006 3:02PM
I think its fine, not any better or worse than 360 or Wii... just different.
but then shouldnt it be?
Plus after a year of people using the 360 of course thats going to seem easier as we've used it longer. I doubt this is oging to be a deciding factor though when it comes to choosing a system.
After all i doubt we'll all be spending long hours looking at the menu screen, i dont even like going through my 360 blades if i dont have too, i'd rather be playing a game or setting something up to be playing a game.
Hopefully the background and maybe even icons will be customizeable and as MS has shown us event he way things are set up on the menu can be changed with a download so who knows, it could change overtime like 360's has.
Edge of Blade @ Nov 3rd 2006 3:18PM
Come on. Xbox 360 does not "shove" ads in your face. It's always for something relevant, not like TAG Body Spray ads. It could be much worse.
I personally like a more interesting dash than this. Also, "XMB" is too cheesy a name.
Yes, I am here for games, not media. Media is a nice bonus, but getting a PS3 for media is like going to a mexican resturant, filling up on chips, and ducking out the back door.
lets just put the gun down and we go get me those fries @ Nov 3rd 2006 3:24PM
The blades look like something fisher price designed, a symphony of rainbow colors, nothing i have seen in the next gen has looked tackyer. That being said, the wii UI is a disaster, it looks like stevie wonder designed it, but whatever, you will buy whatever console you want, i am getting the ps3, sony has never let me down in anything i have bought from them so i have no reason to side with microsoft whos windows xp has been such a pain in the rear end for me in the past. i do like how everyone has turned on sony, way to go everyone, i liken it to the ion storm debacle, the john romero's about to make you his bitch kind of hype for the ps3, but the ps3 will deliver and all of you backstabbing motherfuckers who jumped on the halo bandwagon will see because last i checked the xbox360 has only sold 6 million, and their target for the end of the year was 10 million, good luck, instead of slamming the door shut, u have left it open for the ps3 to smash into, the ps2 outsells the xbox360 every week, the PSP outsells the xbox360 every week, lets not even get into the 1,200 xbox360 consoles and 6 xbox consoles sold per week in japan.
Mat$kaT @ Nov 3rd 2006 3:45PM
Anyone who has a PSP will find PS3's menu pleasantly familiar.
Also, from the standpoint of someone who has used a PSP since launch, it fits that PS3's menu is compatible.
All this bashing is retarded, as are those who choose to bash.
Don't buy it, silly. Don't buy it , sit at home and bitch while getting charged for unlockables in EA games :)...
Eventually, you'll pay $600 for your precious XBOX360....
That's a joke, just to clarify... I d absolutely HATE to start a flame war, here on Joystiq.
And also, to clarify, the above comment was SARCASM...something that dosen't come across well in typed form.
Jeff @ Nov 3rd 2006 4:03PM
"Looks nice, but I can imagine it not working so well on smaller TVs."
You know what? Buy a better TV. Sheesh.
You're gonna spend $600 on a PS3 and use it on a 13" TV? (Let me guess, it's black and white too, and built into your console radio.) I don't think so. If you can afford $600 for a game console, you can afford $200 for a 27" TV.
I mean, you're talking the equivalent of putting 19" rims on a 1964 VW Beetle and then complaining about how dumb it looks and about the fact that you can't afford a better car. It's not the PS3's fault if you're that far behind the times and/or poor. If you can't afford a modern TV, you can't afford a PS3 either. Maybe you need to worry more about putting food on your table and paying some rent before complaining about stuff that's beyond your means to begin with.
sphetr2 @ Nov 3rd 2006 4:05PM
Wow...it would seem that some of you think we actually care about which console you get and why. How interesting.
I think the author's kind of right, it feels "cold" to me, but I don't really like the other interfaces either (Wii's buttons are too big and I don't like X360's because it's so busy). But most people with PS3s will have huge HDTVs, and you'd think that Sony would like to take advantage of that...guess not.
But please people...remember that you are most likely not going to convince anyone on joystiq to get a certain console. So don't post junk like 'lets just put the gun down and we go get me those fries' did, but instead talk about the topic at hand.
Ruck @ Nov 3rd 2006 6:21PM
#20. "that ps3 interface is gonna suck on anything smaller than a 27" tv"
#23. "23. Looks nice, but I can imagine it not working so well on smaller TVs. Just sucks that it isnt always on."
Guess neither of you own a PSP...
AoE @ Nov 3rd 2006 4:34PM
"Early indications suggest Sony didn't lose sight of the importance of a well-designed multi-tasking interface."
Ah, such as the ability to send/recieve messages from buddies without having to leave your game? Wait... nevermind.
toadya @ Nov 3rd 2006 4:41PM
The xbox360 interface is such crap, to admire it is utterly stunning to me. Its like some kind of kids binder from a 2nd grade book report. And it has the same damn nonsense on ever fricken page. Now with the upgrade, it is even worse. There are giant retarded images on all the tabs. It is a big cluttered, playschool looking poop fest. If you like it, you need to get your head examined.
The psp crossbar by comparisson is a work of art.
Eric Von Shpeel @ Nov 3rd 2006 4:49PM
when you are in the options part of the XMB you can select how to hook up your TV, as you select SDTV the userbar, text, playstation store, all that stuff is scaled and larger than on the 720/1080 setting making sure everything is easy to read on any television you may have
Mr. Khan @ Nov 3rd 2006 4:51PM
Ay yai yai!
Is this what we have come to? Debating the viability of INTERFACES?
Next we'll all be saying "OMFG teh 360 fuckin sucks cuz of that gay-ass White and Green Color scheme"
My god...
They're all interfaces, none of them are difficult to operate, get over it
(Does anyone remember that these things play games?)
SSpectre @ Nov 3rd 2006 5:13PM
I've been looking for an answer to this but haven't found one. How can you use, for example, the Guitar Hero controllers on the PS3? I don't see any way to connect "legacy" controllers.
LordMinogue @ Nov 3rd 2006 5:26PM
Innovation: Improve upon your competitor's Innovations
5 years from now both UI's will have equal functionality because they can be updated to include their competitor's features.
Jonikiro @ Nov 3rd 2006 5:32PM
So no one's gonna comment on that background music, eh? Pleeeeease?
Anon#000007 @ Nov 3rd 2006 5:42PM
@ yke
My guess is it'll play anything (via Linux) after Mplayer or MPC are ported.
Which begs the question; How fast can it boot into linux ?
Anthony D @ Nov 3rd 2006 6:17PM
360 is a more powwrful machine, period.
A quote from Epic says that "GEARS OF WAR COULD NOT BE DONE ON THE PS3 DUE TO MEMORY AND GRAPHICAL CONSTRAINTS"..........Nuff said!!!
lets just put the gun down and we go get me those fries @ Nov 3rd 2006 7:48PM
41. 360 is a more powwrful machine, period.
A quote from Epic says that "GEARS OF WAR COULD NOT BE DONE ON THE PS3 DUE TO MEMORY AND GRAPHICAL CONSTRAINTS"..........Nuff said!!!
fuck Cliff "cliffy B" Bleszinski wannabe john romero, nuff said my ass bro, just wait till the ps3 is one year into it, your gonna be using your xbox360 to make scrambled eggs.
GregAshlin @ Nov 3rd 2006 8:18PM
"But it doesn't shove ads in your face"...
You make it sound like that's a good thing?!? If you go to Major Nelson's blog and read comments, one of the things consistently asked for is that people who signed up for their passport before they were 13 to actually have ads. Besides, the only ads I've ever seen were to download new stuff that had gone up, namely free things (Artist of the Month) and a few paid things (New Arcade games, Map Packs, etc). It's not like they're busy pimping Crest White Strips or Coca Cola...
I know you guys are pretty big Sony whores, but come on...at least pretend like you're trying to hide it. (I'm not anti-Sony...I'd just like to eventually see some impartiality SOMEWHERE on teh intraweb)
Mike @ Nov 3rd 2006 8:34PM
To everybody who thinks its great and "USER FRIENDLY
user friendly doent mean it has to be boring and the same shit as psp!
lets just put the gun down and we go get me those fries @ Nov 3rd 2006 8:39PM
44. "But it doesn't shove ads in your face"...
"You make it sound like that's a good thing?!? If you go to Major Nelson's blog and read comments"
woa woa woa woa woa, dont rope me into all that crazy shit. Major Nelson.......... hahahaha yea, whatever.
lordroba @ Nov 3rd 2006 9:52PM
@ people who say it's boring
I'm pretty sure the background will be customizable just like in the PSP. I'm sure you could set picture of your favorite pornstar to spice things up:P
nick @ Nov 3rd 2006 9:59PM
I was never crazy about the PSP interface. It's functional, but boring. The PS3, unfortunately carries this over, but with slightly more polish, yet oddly still plain.
JPRacer @ Nov 4th 2006 2:21AM
"Early indications suggest Sony didn't lose sight of the importance of a well-designed multi-tasking interface."
Yeah, the multi-tasking is so good you must quit the game you're on to send/receive a message!