AppStore for PS3?

[aygie]

I think an "appstore" would be bad. The iPhone Appstore is saturated with garbage and lots of apps work really poorly or not at all (including some of the high profile apps).

I like my PS3 because its got class and everything works the way it should and works great. An appstore would bring down the integrity of the PS3.

[androvsky]

Originally Posted by gillies

What I don't get is why so many folks are entirely satisfied with the limited number of applications available for the PS3, yet they spend endless hours on this forum decrying sales figures, especially in relation to other consoles. The PS3 hardware is capable of much more than games and bluray playback. Perhaps it is a limited vision for the system that reduces its market share.

As opposed to the vast variety of non-gaming applications available for the Wii and Xbox 360...?

[gillies]

Originally Posted by Marine Mike

Its still a horrible idea as people use the PS3 as either a BD Player or Gaming Console. Whats the point of doing something on your PS3 if you can do it on your PC/iMac next to you? It makes more sense to make it for a portable system as it gives you more things at your fingertips.

I think it'll have a lot more success on the PSP than PS3.

Horrible idea? Why such revulsion? No one is asking you to stick your neck out for anything.

Most people use the PS3 for Bluray and gaming because that's basically all it does at present. This is by no means all the hardware is capable of doing. All the OP is asking for is the chance to allow folks to develop new apps for the system that others might find valuable. What's so "horrible" about that?

I don't think anyone is asking for a new word processor or spread sheet. You are right, the PC has it covered. But you bet I'd pay for a better music application; I'd pay for aftermarket music visualizations; I'd pay for a Windows Media Center extender application; I'd pay for a third party web browser, etc. Given the opportunity, I'm sure programmers could dream up all sorts of things for the system that haven't even been thought of, yet.

All of this could drive up market share. Again, why would that be horrible?

[Marine Mike]

Originally Posted by Septimus Prime

Maybe I don't want to have them both on at the same time, or maybe I'd rather do something quick on my PS3, since my TV is a lot bigger than my monitor.

I don't see how apps can hurt the PS3.

I'm just saying that it'd be horrible if they made it available for the PS3 in comparison to the PSP. I think they'd be able to make a lot more money that way as well as make the PSP more marketable and competitive on the handheld devices.

[gillies]

Originally Posted by Aygie

I think an "appstore" would be bad. The iPhone Appstore is saturated with garbage and lots of apps work really poorly or not at all (including some of the high profile apps).

I like my PS3 because its got class and everything works the way it should and works great. An appstore would bring down the integrity of the PS3.

Crap products don't sell and tend to go away. No one here is advocating crap. What I think the OP is asking for is simply a little more creativity in regard to what the PS3 is capable of doing.

[gillies]

Originally Posted by androvsky

As opposed to the vast variety of non-gaming applications available for the Wii and Xbox 360...?

Hence the argument that this just might be a way to kick their market share right to the curb. I am not criticizing the PS3 - I am calling for it to become what it is fully capable of.

[gillies]

Originally Posted by Marine Mike

I'm just saying that it'd be horrible if they made it available for the PS3 in comparison to the PSP. I think they'd be able to make a lot more money that way as well as make the PSP more marketable and competitive on the handheld devices.

This I can understand. Make the apps for both - just like putting the Store on the PSP was as good for it as the PS3.

[Septimus Prime]

Originally Posted by Marine Mike

I'm just saying that it'd be horrible if they made it available for the PS3 in comparison to the PSP. I think they'd be able to make a lot more money that way as well as make the PSP more marketable and competitive on the handheld devices.

I disagree with you there too, actually, because the PSP, unlike the iPhone, isn't also phone. Also, unlike the iPod Touch, it isn't small enough to comfortably fit in your pocket, nor does it have a ton of onboard storage. I think it's great as a portable game console and a car MP3 player, but I don't really see it being an all-encompassing gadget like the iPhone unless it gets around its size limitations.

Meanwhile, the PS3 is a home entertainment center. Sure, some apps, like GPS, would be completely useless, but it's a machine that you're probably going to be using a lot when you're at home. Why not give it the capability of doing things you want it to do? We'd sure see a lot fewer "I wish PS3 could do ____" whiners.

[Marine Mike]

Originally Posted by Septimus Prime

I disagree with you there too, actually, because the PSP, unlike the iPhone, isn't also phone. Also, unlike the iPod Touch, it isn't small enough to comfortably fit in your pocket, nor does it have a ton of onboard storage. I think it's great as a portable game console and a car MP3 player, but I don't really see it being an all-encompassing gadget like the iPhone unless it gets around its size limitations.

Meanwhile, the PS3 is a home entertainment center. Sure, some apps, like GPS, would be completely useless, but it's a machine that you're probably going to be using a lot when you're at home. Why not give it the capability of doing things you want it to do? We'd sure see a lot fewer "I wish PS3 could do ____" whiners.

You make some very valid points. I didn't think about the storage part on the PSP as it doesn't have a Hard Drive of its own. However I do find it to be portable and it easily slides in my pocket (just can't sit down though).

I see what you are saying with giving the PS3 apps that would actually be beneficial compared to whats available on the iPhone and such. Also it has the capacity for them because of the hard drive capability.

Very good points!

[TauRus]

I am glad the idea led to this interesting discussion. I am always for more options. Why should we limit our wonderful PS3s to just gaming and Blu-ray playback, Why not take advantage of the powerful resources to use PS3s and possibly PSPs for other things. There are tons of things that PS3 does not do today but could if not for the artificial limitations.
Applications do not only exist for portable devices. I do not want to bring my main PC or Mac to the family room, but my PS3 is already there and could take on some job. PS3 is quiet, small and looks way better than many current NMTs and HTPCs out there.
Gillies and Septimus, thank you for your support. I would love to know what Sony insiders think of this option. After all, a little bit of additional revenue would not hurt, correct? And the infrastructure is already there: PSN. Just setup a new area for applications, open up development to third parties and then once in a while drop in a couple applications. That is all we need to get it going.

[Cordre69]

It has some very basic photo software so I think they are at least occassionally thinking about aps. Maybe we will have some basic video software soon?
I know I wish I could tab over to a web browser while I am playing a game more often than not. "I demand to see this done on YouTube right now or it is impossible"

[richieb1971]

The reason there is not an app store is because up to this time all the features have been available through F/W updates.

They need a jukebox, the current music filing system is retarded.

A fully functioning Skype would be nice.

Having an email package would be great too, well a prettier one than the message system we have.

[Cordre69]

Maybe add...LocationFree support? That'd be spectacular.

[gillies]

Originally Posted by TauRus

...The infrastructure is already there: PSN. Just setup a new area for applications, open up development to third parties and then once in a while drop in a couple applications. That is all we need to get it going.

Spot on.

[dk3dknight]

At one time this paradise would have been possible but we already ate the forbidden fruit.

And we can never go back.. that wall of trust is no more.

[gillies]

Originally Posted by dk3dknight

At one time this paradise would have been possible but we already ate the forbidden fruit.

And we can never go back.. that wall of trust is no more.

As a "Bluray King" perhaps you can enlighten us about what you're referring to? I appreciate that you consider the idea a "paradise" but would like to know how you/we as PS3 owners have lost hope so I/we can understand how it is a lost cause.

[jono_0101]

i think that anything that could possibly make the PS3 more functional and useful to people is a good thing and if marketed the right way, would be a great untapped revenue stream for sony, the question is, would sony stop adding things via firmware updates and just start charging people for the functions that they want that would be free otherwise?

[jono_0101]

Originally Posted by dk3dknight

At one time this paradise would have been possible but we already ate the forbidden fruit.

And we can never go back.. that wall of trust is no more.

can i buy some of whatever you are on???

[gillies]

Originally Posted by jono_0101

i think that anything that could possibly make the PS3 more functional and useful to people is a good thing and if marketed the right way, would be a great untapped revenue stream for sony, the question is, would sony stop adding things via firmware updates and just start charging people for the functions that they want that would be free otherwise?

The question is valid, IMO. My hope would be that firmware updates not only continue, but be enahnced, simply because Sony could focus on console functionality while third parties could provide apps. It seems that as third parties approched with ideas, Sony could choose to work with those that fulfilled their vision for the system which, in turn, would free Sony to focus resources on efforts they choose as their own.

Best of both worlds.

[SGIBES]

You know how when you play music on the PS3 you get that background that responds to the music like waves or the pics of Earth, I would love to be able to buy different types of backrounds in HD .