New XMB coming (rumor)

[saprano]

So many rumors today. Gotta love E3.

CheapyD: “I’ve heard that the Sony PS3 is getting a completely redesigned XrossMediaBar. Like totally new, not just like new columns and stuff like – totally redone.

You can read the full blog here-

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-1...B-coming-at-E3

Now this worries me a little. Sony isn't really good at designing software imo and to much change could be a bad thing.

[Shin-Ra]

Originally Posted by saprano

Sony isn't really good at designing software imo

Terrible choice of words unless you really don't like Sony games too.

The XMB's the quickest, easiest media interface I've used. It could be more powerful with more features, and over time it's gotten a little rough around the edges with some of the presentation choices but the underlying (tech & engineering Emmy award-winning) design shows they have/had some great UI designers. Beating out a competitor best-known for OS design, even.

[Cyorg]

I like the current XMB. I'm afraid dynamic themes will probably cost twice as much with a new, fancier, XMB.

[Wingman1977]

The dashboard on the ps3 can use a new face lift.

[Rike255]

I love the XMB right now, but I'm always for trying something new! I'm sure there will be a LOT of complaining no matter what they come up with...can't please everyone all the time.

[Foggy]

I wonder if everyone will hate it when it comes

[Trace17]

Skeptical about this. If they're open to feedback like they were with the latest change, then I won't be as worried. When they revamped the friends list a few months back, it was awful. But then it was altered again and I like it. I'm eager to see what might be coming up but hoping that it won't be set in stone.

[RAZGRIZ-1]

I dont get why people don't like the XMB. Its perfect they way it is. I remember when people were spreading this same rumor last year. I doubt its true seeing as if they change the PS3 XMB they will want to change it on all their other hardware that use it. A lot of Sony products use the XMB and Sony likes uniformity.

[SleeperAgent]

There's an old saying, "If it ain't broke don't fix it". The XMB is flawless. Leave it be.

[androvsky]

Originally Posted by Shin-Ra

Terrible choice of words unless you really don't like Sony games too.

The XMB's the quickest, easiest media interface I've used. It could be more powerful with more features, and over time it's gotten a little rough around the edges with some of the presentation choices but the underlying (tech & engineering Emmy award-winning) design shows they have/had some great UI designers. Beating out a competitor best-known for OS design, even.

It's the post-3.0 XMB design that has me worried. If it's the original designer(s), then I'm excited. If it's the people that came up with the 3.0 changes, then I'm really worried. If it's a third choice based on the feedback from 3.0, then I'm cautiously optimistic.

[saprano]

Originally Posted by Shin-Ra

Terrible choice of words unless you really don't like Sony games too.

The XMB's the quickest, easiest media interface I've used. It could be more powerful with more features, and over time it's gotten a little rough around the edges with some of the presentation choices but the underlying (tech & engineering Emmy award-winning) design shows they have/had some great UI designers. Beating out a competitor best-known for OS design, even.

Oh no not the games. sony has the best first party studios in the industry.

It's just that i don't like the way they've added the new things to the XMB. The gray box on the freinds list made no sense at all. Thankfully they changed it. And the whats new feature, which i like, could be better designed. Why is the logo orange? It doesn't blend well with the XMB. And why is the wall blue? They said we'll be able to customize it in the future so thats good.

I like the PS2's space interface with that noise. It would be pretty cool if the PS3 had an improved version of that with the XMB. The interface would look like it's floating in space. I also liked the "bloop" sound it made when you selected something.

[AranhaHunter]

I think the XMB interface is slick and easy to use. Some people I know have had difficulty with it though, especially when they go to settings, so maybe making that a little more user friendly would be welcome. One thing I'd definitely welcome though is more integration, XBL does that greatly, and if Sony could make it so that the PS Store and/or Home was more integrated with XMB instead of a separate app, then that would be great.

Separate apps should be used for things like MLB TV and Singstar Viewer, PSN Store should be integrated, would probably make it much smoother IMO.

[toef]

I don't have any real complaints with the current XMB, but I'm not opposed to something new if they want to change it.

There does seem to be a bit of redundancy to the current setup. Some of the settings seem to flushed out. The entire Systems Settings part could just be brought up using Select or something... since it's hardly used, they might as well hide it from view. The separation between Music/Video always seemed kind of pointless too.

I'm not familiar with Xbox's current menu system, so I don't really know what else is out there. The Wii setup is somewhat ugly though.

[Shin-Ra]

Originally Posted by AranhaHunter

I think the XMB interface is slick and easy to use. Some people I know have had difficulty with it though, especially when they go to settings, so maybe making that a little more user friendly would be welcome. One thing I'd definitely welcome though is more integration, XBL does that greatly, and if Sony could make it so that the PS Store and/or Home was more integrated with XMB instead of a separate app, then that would be great.

Separate apps should be used for things like MLB TV and Singstar Viewer, PSN Store should be integrated, would probably make it much smoother IMO.

The PS Store takes a couple of seconds to load and the interface is better suited to promotion and constant browsing of large numbers of icons. How do you suggest it's integrated with the XMB more fully to improve it?

Home isn't integrated because it's a highly detailed 3D environment much like a game. I can't reasonably see how that would be integrated without a much simpler stylistic makeover, throwing away what's already there which isn't going to happen any time this generation. The cheesy cartoon avatars on competing systems don't add any real value to the top level menu browsing experience. I know a lot of people find them repulsive. I don't think the Home avatars are classy enough to start mixing in with the XMB either.

[JonD7]

All I want changed, is that damn box on the right side of the screen.

if I could take that off, a long with the time... it would be perfect.

[AranhaHunter]

Originally Posted by Shin-Ra

The PS Store takes a couple of seconds to load and the interface is better suited to promotion and constant browsing of large numbers of icons. How do you suggest it's integrated with the XMB more fully to improve it?

Home isn't integrated because it's a highly detailed 3D environment much like a game. I can't reasonably see how that would be integrated without a much simpler stylistic makeover, throwing away what's already there which isn't going to happen any time this generation. The cheesy cartoon avatars on competing systems don't add any real value to the top level menu browsing experience. I know a lot of people find them repulsive. I don't think the Home avatars are classy enough to start mixing in with the XMB either.

Yeah Home might not be able to be fully integrated into the XMB, but they need to do something to make it more compelling and at least somewhat integrate it there, as it is Home feels too far apart from the XMB experience and, while major improvements have been made, it stills feels like it takes too long to get there and go to places.

For the PS Store, I was thinking of something like this (at about 55 seconds), that would mean instant access instead of waiting a couple of seconds, nitpicking I know, but it's something I would like to see. The stuff before that would also be much welcome, and a better gamercard also (not shown in the video).

[Cplhicks]

Originally Posted by JonD7

All I want changed, is that damn box on the right side of the screen.

if I could take that off, a long with the time... it would be perfect.

You and me both, man. I hate that box. Ruined the slick look of the interface I thought. They better not change stuff too much-- I don't want all my themes getting busted.

[Truckondo]

I just hate having the PS Store on a majority of the sections. Just keep one on the Network bar.

[drewzus]

Originally Posted by toef

I don't have any real complaints with the current XMB, but I'm not opposed to something new if they want to change it.

There does seem to be a bit of redundancy to the current setup. Some of the settings seem to flushed out. The entire Systems Settings part could just be brought up using Select or something... since it's hardly used, they might as well hide it from view. The separation between Music/Video always seemed kind of pointless too.

I'm not familiar with Xbox's current menu system, so I don't really know what else is out there. The Wii setup is somewhat ugly though.

I agree with all of your points. There is definitely some redundancy in the current setup.

[Trace17]

Originally Posted by AranhaHunter

Yeah Home might not be able to be fully integrated into the XMB, but they need to do something to make it more compelling and at least somewhat integrate it there, as it is Home feels too far apart from the XMB experience and, while major improvements have been made, it stills feels like it takes too long to get there and go to places.

For the PS Store, I was thinking of something like this (at about 55 seconds), that would mean instant access instead of waiting a couple of seconds, nitpicking I know, but it's something I would like to see. The stuff before that would also be much welcome, and a better gamercard also (not shown in the video).

Man, I could only wish the XMB friend's list looked that good.

And I agree about Home. Load times absolutely kill the experience. If I could jump in and out of Home faster I would actually use it. Takes too long to bother with.