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PS3 GUI Takes Page From PSP Book
sdmonroe writes "As the PS3 launch approaches, the first glimpses of the console's new interface have started to hit the web. The interface borrows many features from the PSP GUI which got such broad acclaim, and includes simple drop down menus for accessing important settings like video resolution, audio output, and management of your virtual friends. Customizability and configurability are also some of the features gamers can expect."
"The interface borrows many features from the PSP GUI which got such broad acclaim, and includes simple drop down menus for accessing important settings like video resolution, audio output, and management of your virtual friends. Customizability and configurability are also some of the features gamers can expect."
Can I guess with confidence that at least some of these (imho obvious) gui features are patented, if not by Sony, someone about to hit the motherlode by suing them?
Apology to Ubuntu forum.
It's called the Cross Media Bar (XMB) interface, and it actually debuted on the ill-fated PSX (PS2+DVR combo) in 2003. It's since become Sony's standard UI for multimedia products such as the PSP, PS3 and even some higher-end TVs.
If you hadn't seen it referenced from the google video link in the article. The google link in the article had a basic interface demonstration. This one has more infor on the picture browser, music and movie player, and (apparently) integrated web browser.
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http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-72470176
The pop up menu during games seems a poor to me - white icons on a screen without a frame or background? I can see that being an issue with some games.
One thing I liked in the video: showing a picture of the output plugs is pretty smart - this will really help out those who wouldn't know a DVI from an HDMI from a component cable.
I gotta wonder if that interface is running in some kind of HD mode; that text would not be readable on a standard-def 27" TV. Way to small. I imagine the font scales with the display mode.
If Jesus wants me it knows where to find me.
Note that near the end of the video they scroll to select video output, and choose component - from there they are given a list of choices that looks like:
480p
1080i
720p
1080p
It's rather hard to read as the resolution of the video is low.
Now this is a dev but it shows that the PS3 at least can support this, some people seem confused and think you need HDMI for 1080p support.
"There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
What I'd really like to see is the PSP's "game-state-save" functionality translate to the PS3. The ability to turn off the console and let it go into a type of hibernate mode without using any battery is arguably the best feature of the handheld. You can just keep switching it on and off and lose very little time waiting for it to come back up. I don't know if the DS does it, but I guarantee you if it doesn't it will soon. Very handy when you're on the go and can only play a few minutes at a time.
The one downside to the universal GUI of the PSP is the save functionality. Many of the games would design their own save game functionality only to have the PSP save game come up after confirming the save in the game. So you'd effectively be saving the game twice in one shot. It's quite annoying if you ask me. More of a developer problem than Sony's, but something that needs to be worked on.