"It Only Does Everything," says the PS3's ad campaign. But how many users actually know how to take advantage of all of the system's features out of the box? With PS3 increasingly positioning itself as a be-all entertainment device, Sony is forced to confront the XMB's clutter of icons, which may be befuddling mainstream consumers.
PSN director Susan Panico told us that Sony is currently "creating educational videos that will be a great welcome kit for people that are coming to the PS3 and the PlayStation Network," which aim to "really walk them through all the advantages you get from the PlayStation Network," including the store. The videos "will answer questions like, 'How do I have Netflix movies stream on my PS3?' And it will certainly talk about original content available," Panico noted, referring to PSN productions like The Tester and Pulse. "That's something that's really important to us -- to make sure people understand from the get-go how to find all this great content."
While many of the details are still being ironed out, the how-to videos will appear both on the web and on the XMB. "Primarily, it's going to be content that you find very easily on PlayStation.com, as well as on the console itself," Panico said, though "we haven't decided where it's going to live on the XMB." Presumably, it'll be in a prime position, lest Sony find itself posting a "How to find the how-to videos" video.
Reader Comments (69)
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 1:35PM supersonic124 said
Does it include a video on how to get Other OS back?
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 1:37PM Ezio Auditore da Firenze said
@supersonic124
Why would you need a video on how to buy a PC to run Linux on?
Reply
Why would you need a video on how to buy a PC to run Linux on?
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 3:08PM ExplicitFunction said
@supersonic124
Seriously, if you know enough about computers to want to run Linux, you know that the other OS option was never that useful to the consumer.
Reply
Seriously, if you know enough about computers to want to run Linux, you know that the other OS option was never that useful to the consumer.
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 4:55PM Extinction said
@supersonic124 Its never time to move on from a company pulling a dick move like that. I used OtherOS a lot and it's part of why I paid through the nose for a launch unit. Given PS3 was hacked without it, it makes sense to put it back. Especially since they plugged the hole in less than a week. Surely if they put their minds to it they can plug whatever hole was in OtherOS.
Also, another solution to too many icons would be letting us hide icons (ie: apps that havent been installed, redundant store icons, etc) and add a section to settings to install/add them.
Reply
Also, another solution to too many icons would be letting us hide icons (ie: apps that havent been installed, redundant store icons, etc) and add a section to settings to install/add them.
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 4:50PM Edge of Blade said
@supersonic124 Yes, right next to "Make my XCM Cross Battle Adapter work".
Reply
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 1:36PM Ashkental said
hauhuaahuhua Panico!
Ronaldo
Ronaldo
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 1:37PM Ezio Auditore da Firenze said
Surprised this didn't happen sooner.
Great idea, though!
Great idea, though!
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 2:42PM Dizazter said
@Ezio Auditore da Firenze
SuperKyle has a point here. And so does Andrew (author). If people don't understand your interface - shouldn't you make it easier/better/more intuitive? Instead of making videos about how to learn it? Because honestly, 50% of the people who would need this kind of hand holding, aren't going to be able to find the "how to" video to begin with.
Less videos, more cross game chat, PLEASE!!!
Reply
SuperKyle has a point here. And so does Andrew (author). If people don't understand your interface - shouldn't you make it easier/better/more intuitive? Instead of making videos about how to learn it? Because honestly, 50% of the people who would need this kind of hand holding, aren't going to be able to find the "how to" video to begin with.
Less videos, more cross game chat, PLEASE!!!
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 3:11PM Extinction said
@superklye XMB has won awards hor how user friendly and intuitive it is. It's worlds better than 360s and Wiis.
Reply
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 3:16PM Draco84 said
@superklye
I find the interface really simple, I mean it's hard to find some of the options but how often am I trying to get into options?
if I want to watch a video I scroll to Video, if I want music scroll to Music and if I want to play a game I scroll to Game (actually I start there)
If I want to watch something stream from my PC downstairs, scroll up till I see my TVersity icon with my computers name beside it.
I would like the option to hide icons though/
Reply
I find the interface really simple, I mean it's hard to find some of the options but how often am I trying to get into options?
if I want to watch a video I scroll to Video, if I want music scroll to Music and if I want to play a game I scroll to Game (actually I start there)
If I want to watch something stream from my PC downstairs, scroll up till I see my TVersity icon with my computers name beside it.
I would like the option to hide icons though/
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 4:14PM SmokemeaKipper said
@Extinction
Except when it come sot managing music. Sony needs a music app like the photo and video ones. Add a few hundred albums to the local HD and try to manage them.
Reply
Except when it come sot managing music. Sony needs a music app like the photo and video ones. Add a few hundred albums to the local HD and try to manage them.
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 6:12PM chimpsmith said
@Dizazter if you can't use the XMB then you're stupid as nuts. It's not confusing at all, it's very straightforward on where everything is. The tutorials would probably be for things such as the advanced options that the majority of people won't know what they do.
Sure, it could use a makeover to make it more visually appealing, but it's not like it's bad now, and it's definitely not difficult to use at all. The only thing that really gets annoying is that the what's new section takes a long time to load, and it makes no sense. It's not lag since I can instantly open the psstore, it's like it just doesn't want to load until you sit there for 30 seconds staring at it.
Reply
Sure, it could use a makeover to make it more visually appealing, but it's not like it's bad now, and it's definitely not difficult to use at all. The only thing that really gets annoying is that the what's new section takes a long time to load, and it makes no sense. It's not lag since I can instantly open the psstore, it's like it just doesn't want to load until you sit there for 30 seconds staring at it.
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 8:09PM KinseySS said
@Marzooq
Actually you can put your games into Folders. I have all my stuff seperated by PS3, PSP, PSX, and Demos, oh plus minis and Qore.
If you press triangle on a game and scroll down to Info you can change the Album name. and then press square till its sorted by albums.
Reply
Actually you can put your games into Folders. I have all my stuff seperated by PS3, PSP, PSX, and Demos, oh plus minis and Qore.
If you press triangle on a game and scroll down to Info you can change the Album name. and then press square till its sorted by albums.
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 1:38PM Xcrucio said
Sounds a lot like "Inside Xbox" or whatever. I guess it never hurts to have something like this.
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 1:42PM def PD said
As long as it doesn't clutter the XMB I'm all for it.
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 1:42PM Geo Holyhart said
Videos tutorials are always nice, but if the XMB becomes so cluttered its only a hassle to navigate, even for experienced users, Sony should really consider a complete redesign.
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 4:38PM Dustin F said
@Geo Holyhart
I love XMB. It's perfect for a normal game controller.
My main complaint is lack of sorting options for games. I've got over 100 downloaded games, and it's sorted by 'last played', even though the Playstation Store has various excellent ways to sort, such as genre, developer, and alphabet.
I am not asking for much here.
Reply
I love XMB. It's perfect for a normal game controller.
My main complaint is lack of sorting options for games. I've got over 100 downloaded games, and it's sorted by 'last played', even though the Playstation Store has various excellent ways to sort, such as genre, developer, and alphabet.
I am not asking for much here.
Posted: Nov 2nd 2010 5:24AM Dustin F said
@jastani
It's square for sort, isn't it?
But there are only three options for games, as best as I can recall. Last played and creation date up or down.
So, huh? right back at you! I think I'm not asking for much for the games to be as easily organized as they are at the PSN store.
Reply
It's square for sort, isn't it?
But there are only three options for games, as best as I can recall. Last played and creation date up or down.
So, huh? right back at you! I think I'm not asking for much for the games to be as easily organized as they are at the PSN store.
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 1:42PM Ospov said
It would be a good idea for Sony to have these videos come pre-loaded on all new PS3s. If you haven't got a clue what you're doing I doubt you would be able to navigate through the video store to find these...
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 1:44PM Ordeith said
Xbox 101 gets a PS version from Sony.
I guess it is a good idea, even if late.
I guess it is a good idea, even if late.
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 1:50PM Faceless Troll said
Moar liek 'it only used to do everything', amirite?
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 2:08PM Jovrick said
How-to videos won't cure stupid.
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 2:21PM MSKilla aka Sony4Life said
@Jovrick
We will find a cure for you and the others soon.
Faceless Troll too!We can fix you.......hopefully.
Reply
We will find a cure for you and the others soon.
Faceless Troll too!We can fix you.......hopefully.
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 3:05PM ExplicitFunction said
@Jovrick
Agreed, if you manage to get lost on the XMB you probably shouldn't have a PS3.
That being said, i do think the UI could do with losing an Icon or two.
Reply
Agreed, if you manage to get lost on the XMB you probably shouldn't have a PS3.
That being said, i do think the UI could do with losing an Icon or two.
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 3:31PM Faceless Troll said
@MSKilla aka Sony4Life I see the Sony butthurt brigade is out in full force.
Reply
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 2:09PM eNriqeu said
After all is the best user interface available for any console.
Clean, simple, and no ads!
Clean, simple, and no ads!
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 4:38PM Player1 said
Can someone tell me how I can get it to not drop a wifi connection when updating software/games, because I'm still struggling with that one? It started about 6 months ago, with no changes to my network configuration. Now it occasionally works, but usually just gets error code 80710723, which they recently updated to display a message blaming your ISP or router. I have been talking to support for months and they have been no help.
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 6:05PM jadalivs2ss said
@Player1 Go to your settings for your wireless router and change the channel. Might have several people around you on the same channel.
Reply
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 2:28PM That Burning Sensation said
@ben linus
What are you talking about? Anyway, the only place you'll see "educational" and Jersey Shore is in a sentence, even then it doesn't seem right.
What are you talking about? Anyway, the only place you'll see "educational" and Jersey Shore is in a sentence, even then it doesn't seem right.
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 5:21PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
I think it's pretty clean and easy to navigate. The UI is one of the big advantages PS3 has over the 360.
Reply
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 2:51PM edofyingfilms said
It Only Does Everything* (TM)
*except play PS2 games
*except play PS2 games
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 3:11PM Spookimitsu said
@edofyingfilms No, they do that. If you bought one of the Shiny ones.
and it still works. I heard the BC was compromising the integrity of the system anyways.... which eventually led to its removal. How accurate that is, I cannot say
Reply
and it still works. I heard the BC was compromising the integrity of the system anyways.... which eventually led to its removal. How accurate that is, I cannot say
Posted: Nov 1st 2010 4:38PM edofyingfilms said
@Qelgon My 60GB launch model died last week, so I'm quite bitter about it right now. :P
Thing is they started this whole It Only Does Everything campaign after they removed BC. I've always felt that was like smacking down the collective lunch trays of their fanbase and calling them "butterfingers".... Okay that was a horrible analogy. Give me a break, I'm sick and my PS3 died.
Reply
Thing is they started this whole It Only Does Everything campaign after they removed BC. I've always felt that was like smacking down the collective lunch trays of their fanbase and calling them "butterfingers".... Okay that was a horrible analogy. Give me a break, I'm sick and my PS3 died.








