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Console Interfaces: It’s Simplicity, Stupid!
By George Walker | July 10, 2006
With videos of the PS3 user interface starting to percolate through the internet, we now have a better idea just how the PS3 is going to look and feel on the screen, and I think it’s a perfect time to evaluate the PS3 and look at what goes into a good interface.
As far as I’m concerned, I only need an interface to be Functional, Intuitive, and above all, Simple.
First, before I discuss the PS3 interface in depth, I’d like to explain what I mean when using these terms. Functional means it needs to actually control all of the useful things that the user expects it to control. What good is an interface if it doesn’t actually control what I need it to control?
And those controls need to be arranged in a way that makes sense. It needs to be Intuitive. With a well designed interface, a specific feature should appear exactly where the user expects it to appear. Music should appear under the Media category along with Videos. Demos should appear under the games category. If the user has to constantly hunt and peck through the interface to find a desired feature, it’s possible the interface is poorly designed. (That, or the user is stupid. For this discussion, let’s assume users of moderate intelligence.)
The hardest value to quanitfy is Simplicity. This is more of a subjective judgment. Does the interface look clean and is it generally pleasing to the eyes? Or, on the other hand, does it look and feel more like a cereal box?
If you haven’t watched the PS3 interface video, please do so now. I won’t go anywhere while you watch:
Okay, the first thing any astute video gamer will notice is that this all looks familiar. Yeah, it’s pretty much the PSP interface. So? The PSP interface is pretty good, all things considered, and if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
From the video, the interface appears to be functional. I see settings, various media menus, and it all seems to flow rather nicely. It’s obvious what pushing right on the controls will do. (Sounds like a simple thing, but the Xbox 360 interface sends you flying through various “blades” when all you wanted to do was select the little highlightable window on the right side of the screen.) I’m not sure you could get more intuitive than the PS3 interface, either. Oh look, ALL of the settings are under the Settings option, how novel.
The best thing about this interface is that it’s SIMPLE. Not a lot of distracting ads, colors, or banners. Just the controls you need, where you need them. Very much like an iPod interface. Why do some consoles feel the need to overthink the interface? Why add a bunch of “pages” or “blades” when a simple horizontal menu will achieve the same results, but in a more predictable manner?
Don’t even get me started on how horrible the 360 interface has been. It sure looks bright, but it was a crap shoot on whether the option you were looking for was in the Settings blade, or buried somewhere in the “Xbox Guide”. The latest dashboard has improved the organization of the 360 interface greatly, but has done little to make it simpler and more streamlined. Microsoft has a lot of work to do, there.
It looks like someone over at Sony has a clue about how interfaces should work. (Has Microsoft ever had a clue? Microsoft Bob, anyone?) And I don’t think it’s necessarily a matter of Japanese culture vs. American culture.
Look at Apple. Go to Apple’s website and try to find quicktime movie trailers. That was pretty easy, wasn’t it? Click Quicktime. Click trailers. Done.
Now, try to find WMV movie trailers from Microsoft’s website. Yes, I assure you Microsoft does provide a website where WMV movie clips are available. Let’s see if we can find it. Hmm, nothing relating directly to WMV on the main website, here. Let’s try clicking on Windows. Well, now there’s a headlined link to Media Player 11 Beta, but that’s not really what we want, either. I’ll click Windows Media Player on the left sidebar. Okay, now we’re getting somewhere. It says Windows Media up at the top, so we must be getting close, now.
At this point, I have two choices. I can try the link for “Music & Video” or the link for “Downloads”. Either one could conceivably have downloadable or playable video links. Since the word Video is in the link, I’ll try Music & Video. Now, at this stage, many of you are going to make the same mistake that I did. You’re going to want to click Watch Video Clips in HD. Unfortunately, that’s going to lead you down a dark path of sorrow as you find nothing but boring Windows Media Player commercials and instructional videos. Bleh. No, no, you wanted to click the link in the left sidebar for WindowsMedia.com. Why would you think to do that? Well, you wouldn’t necessarily, unless you knew ahead of time (like I do, now) that this is the site Microsoft uses to show WMV clips for various movies, etc.
What a pain. And this kind of interface experience is pretty much what you can expect from Microsoft. Install Windows Media Player 10, and then try to find the “File” menu on the default skin. Yeah, I’m gonna go watch a movie. Let me know when you find that menu in the next day or so. This is just so typical of Microsoft, unfortunately. The Xbox 360 is a great console. Made so by its games and features. Unfortunately, I feel like I’m getting tortured by the Spanish Inquisition, because every time I find where a feature was located, no one expects it to be there.
This is what makes the PS3 interface so great. Simple. Straightforward. Features appear where you expect them. Spanish-Inquisition-proof.
Microsoft, you have much to learn. You are still not a black belt.
Tags: interface, ipod, playstation home, PS3, PSP
Topics: Art & Design, Articles, PS3 |
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Comment by Duke — July 10, 2006 @ 3:18 pm
I actually like the 360 interface, I have never had any problem finding anything. The only interface problems they have were in the marketplace, which after the update was much better.
The psp interface was a bit clunky in my opinion, not that it was horrible but its no better then the 360 blades.
Comment by Neshill — July 11, 2006 @ 6:40 am
While the PSP/PS3 interface may look great, simple and sleek, you have to realise that that kind of interface will have problems managing lots of content. Be it lots of MP3 albums, movies, pictures, even games, I don’t want them to appear in a PSPesque manner, because it’s completely space wasting and unefficient to use.
Comment by eXix — July 11, 2006 @ 7:13 am
Horrible, no effort at all.
Just a psp interface, psp was small so you did not have too much space for everything..
Now with ps3 they use same interface..
So much space wasted.
360 has just everything well set.
And the browser, yea sure Wii was going to use Opera’s good fast browser, so as always Sony had to copy Nintendo like they did for everything else.
And wheres the online system?
Ah yeah they are still working on it?
Will never get any close to xbox 360 with xbox live.
Comment by George — July 11, 2006 @ 12:19 pm
Neshill,
I was also concerned about how it would manage large amounts of content, but if you watch the video, the pictures and music are divided into sub-folders, just like on the 360.
Have you used a PSP? Yes, it looks sleek, but Sony really did put together a good interface on the PSP. There may be a dearth of quality games, but the PSP does well as a media player, even with large amounts of content, IMHO.
Comment by Max Howell — July 12, 2006 @ 5:06 am
Seemingly your only criticism of the Blade UI is you can’t find a few settings. I agree, I had the same issue.
To assume the PS3 UI will be perfect and everything logically arranged is naiive to say the least!
You have to give credit where it is due, the blade ui of the dashboard is pretty good, especially relative to past MS efforts. This rant should have had a few more iterations in draft, and perhaps even been delayed until you had a real play with the PS3 UI.
Comparison between actual use and a video and invalid!
Comment by George — July 13, 2006 @ 1:00 pm
Max,
Oh, I have many more criticisms of the Xbox 360 Dashboard. The thing really does look like a cereal box. That’s not a good thing. I could go on and on about the Xbox Guide, as well (the thing that pops up when you hit the Xbox button on the controller). Not to mention the horrid video player controls. The recent update improved SOME of the media player functionality, but not nearly enough to even be comparable to what was on the PS2.
Look, Microsoft doesn’t get interface design. Open up MS Office, and pull up the options. Pretty horrible mess of checkboxes in there. There is a lot that could’ve been more logically arranged in there.
To assume the PS3 UI will be perfect and everything logically arranged is naiive to say the least!
A valid concern, but I don’t personally believe that the PS3 interface will be perfect. There are no assumptions here. It’s pretty clear from the video that the interface IS INDEED logically arranged. At least, IMHO.
You have to give credit where it is due, the blade ui of the dashboard is pretty good, especially relative to past MS efforts.
I agree completely that it’s better than past efforts, but because MS sucks so bad at design, that’s not saying much.
This rant should have had a few more iterations in draft, and perhaps even been delayed until you had a real play with the PS3 UI.
Comparison between actual use and a video [are] invalid!
I appreciate the criticism. However, my opinion is that the comparison IS valid, especially when the comparison is focused on overall graphic design nad layout, as opposed to any comparison of feature lists.
Comment by atomheart — July 21, 2006 @ 7:43 am
Oooof. I think I’ll wait until I ACTUALLY USE THE INTERFACE to make such assumptions.
Can’t work the blade interface? Perhaps if you go really slowly and sound the words out…
Comment by Marco Cano Jr. — July 22, 2006 @ 4:15 am
I couldn’t agree more. Now since I’m thinking about, the 360s interface does look like a cereal box!
“Can’t work the blade interface? Perhaps if you go really slowly and sound the words out…” - atomheart
But isn’t that a waste of time? Wouldn’t it be better if you just have recognizable icons and nice pictures to go with the item your looking for? For people against the PS3’s interface are just looking for complains. “Unefficient?”, “Clunky?”, How? that’s the question I have for them.
I think you did a great unbiased review of the PS3 interface. You backed up your arguments very well. Good job
Comment by Elessar — July 22, 2006 @ 7:41 am
I think the interfaces are all just personal preference. I ‘prefer’ the sleek and simple design of the PSP’s (and soon to be PS3’s) interface. Everything is where i need and can change the background/wallpaper when i want to.
So again, its really a matter of what people like. Both the 360 and PS3 interfaces will get the job done right, but im really not a fan of the flashy interfacethe 360 sports. Let the games have the spotlight, and the interface do its job.
Comment by Chris — July 22, 2006 @ 8:18 am
I don’t Care about the interface! I just want a next gen system that can play games,movies,music and can work. Real gamers shouldn’t have to worry about the xmb. Ask yourself Did you spend 600$ to play games or 600$ to judge the XMB?
Comment by Willem — July 22, 2006 @ 12:45 pm
eXix ,
Stupid nub, sony annouced his web browser for the ps3 years ago.
Comment by wallypinkerton — July 22, 2006 @ 11:40 pm
NOBODY EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION!
Monty Python joke aside, couldn’t agree w/you more about the how the PS3’s interface looks. I’ve RARELY had a problem finding what I’m looking for on my PSP.
Comment by Daniel Lawson — July 23, 2006 @ 12:20 am
At first I had problems controlling the blades as well, but after time and getting use to it I don’t have the flipping problem when scrolling down… and you can allways use the D-pad. Also I think that the Xbox team has shown how versitile they are when they have to change things… they’ll work out more of the issues by the time the PS3 releases. I’ll put in my vote for the massive waste of space the PS3 is not using.
Comment by Omen — July 23, 2006 @ 2:44 am
eXix your an idiot. Sony showed off their web browser before N ever even announced Opera. Plus everyone knew the PS3 would have a web browser even from E3 05. If they put one on a portable system that has to have a wifi spot, then why wouldnt they put it on a home system with more memory and a fixed internet point. Really it was only common sense which you seem to lack. Quit your hating and Welcome Chang3.
The XMB interface is awsome. I love it on PSP. I have something like 11 albums on my PSP and tons of folders for pictures. Its very easy to use. It doesnt waste space either. Especially since we’ll have wallpapers. Id much rather have a small sleek design that lets me customize than have some big gray interface. With PS3 you can leave that screensaver move in the background which would look really relaxing on a widescreen tv. Very sleek. Or you could put a wallpaper of you and your family. The interface is easy to navigate when needed and easy to blend in when your not focusing on it and the PS3 at the moment.
Its very easy on the eyes.
Comment by The caller of douche — July 23, 2006 @ 6:05 pm
Your such a biased douche. 360 blades rape that sony browser.
Comment by ACiB — July 23, 2006 @ 7:02 pm
hey omen, i totally agree qith you, and there is no “wasted space” in the XMB. it works in such a way that lets you have a background and all your things (settings, games, photos, music, videos, etc…) in order and arranged in such a way that you dont have to do anything but press “right”or “left” to get to them.
in the other hand,in the xbox360, to get from (for example) “settings” to “Blink 182 - Adam’s song” you have to change blade then select music and then look for your song. think about it, simple is better.
Comment by Brad — July 24, 2006 @ 11:25 pm
Interesting videos. I wish I could say the same for the review, which was less of a review and more of a chance for the author to bash Microsoft. Four of the eleven paragraphs are about the PS3, the rest are purely used to bash Microsoft in any way possible. (A nice example is trying to find WMV’s on Microsoft’s webpage. I agree completly, Microsoft’s webpage is designed horribly, and navigating it is in no way simple or intuitive. But that has nothing to do with console interfaces, or the PS3, at all.) And, for the record, alot of people (myself included) find the Xbox 360’s menu’s quite easy to navigate. Of course, there could be improvements, but it’s mostly easy to use. As an example, in your article you said you accidently go through blades when trying to select something on the the right part of the screen. I’m not sure where in the interface you are, but at the screens with blades, there are no options on the right hand side to select. I thought you may be talking about a menu inside a blade, but once you enter one of these menues you can’t change blades. I don’t mean to nit-pick, but it seems as though you made up this scenario to support your side of the argument (which, shouldn’t have been an argument at all, just a simple review of PS3’s menu). And, to ACiB, I like how all you have to in PS3 is press left or right (which is simple), but in Xbox 360 you have to change blades (which, I assume, is more difficult). In reality, changing blades in Xbox 360 only requires the same press of left or right that makes PS3’s interface so much more easier to use.
Comment by Serpent — July 25, 2006 @ 11:10 am
What the heck?
The xbox360 interface NEVER has things put on the right or left when pushing right or left would bring you to a new ‘blade’. Ever. The blades keep it nice and organized and were great from day 1.
The confusing thing about the xbox360 interface was (as mentioned in the article) exactly which systems settings are where, which is generally something you don’t play with day-to-day anyways.
Comment by Sony cock sucker — July 28, 2006 @ 10:46 pm
I totally agree, the PS3 interface is much better then the 360 interface. When i use the 360 dashboard i am constantly confused and disoriented, sometimes taking me 30 minutes to figure out how to start the game disc thats in my dvd drive. sometimes when im trying to play music i accidently move 2 blades to the left and im selecting the friends menu. of course that bothers me becauase i have no friends on the account of my total mental retardation. I’m so glad that the PS3 interface is so simple because giant fucking retards like me can finally play overpriced games on an overpriced console and feel a little less like an idiot for spending a thousand dollars to play one game.
Comment by Danny S — July 31, 2006 @ 6:47 pm
Im sorry but if you find fault in the 360 Dashboard then you have no business reviewing any kind of interface, it may not be perfect but it works fine and only takes about a day to get used to, get a clue.
Comment by Abhorash — July 31, 2006 @ 7:06 pm
I totally agree with Omen above. We all spend 600 dollars on hardware to have a relaxing screensaver on our 1500 dollars plasma screen.
wake up dude.
Comment by Abhorash — July 31, 2006 @ 7:11 pm
As usual, Sony fanboys making “assumptions” and not even bothering to use what they are critizying. I never had any problem with Microsoft. Sure, they like monopoly. Sure, their programs can be faulty. But, some things are clear. Windows is the easiest operative system to date. Office is the best office suite. That said, I didnt expect a piece of crap from them when it came to Xbox. But I was gladly surprised by them when I bought mine, and even more surprised when it burned down, and the technical support were inmensely helpful and clear. What does Sony do on technical support? Tell you warranty doesnt cover your psp screen, and offer you a “seminew” console for 90 dollars. Keep your “screensaver friendly” interface. I’ll keep the stuff that matters.
Comment by EvilBit — August 1, 2006 @ 11:30 am
This is a painfully biased review that I believe (as Brad so keenly pointed out) was mostly a veiled excuse to bash Microsoft. Being a user interface designer, I can find plenty of fault with both interfaces, but not in anything even approaching the same proportions as your example. The PS3 interface is wasteful and obtuse to a new user, and the 360 has the tendency to bury options. Both function reasonably well, but both have their faults.
I’m further bothered by your Apple/Microsoft metaphor, in that you show a tremendous flaw in your logic by asking the reader to “try to find QUICKTIME movie trailers” (emphasis mine) on the Apple site. Find someone who doesn’t use computers often and ask them to “try to find movie trailers” on the Apple website, and you’ll probably get to watch them click through every link on the page until they accidentally find them. Quicktime is a brand name that is only associated with movies by Mac owners and the relatively computer-savvy.
Errors abound in your arguments, and all your straw men are starting to become a fire hazard.
Comment by Z — August 1, 2006 @ 2:31 pm
What EvilBit Said.
Comment by Chickgamer — August 1, 2006 @ 3:30 pm
Sorry but the PSP interface is garbage,saying anything different just shows noob tendencies!
Comment by fidgetwidget — August 1, 2006 @ 3:54 pm
The only complaint I have is your clear, and unfounded bias. If your a sony fan, just say so, dont pretend your writing an objective review of something that isnt out, and base it on MS’s website.
I do think the ps3 interface is nice, on first glance. however, as its been pointed out, what if I have a mess of content on my PS3, seeing as its going to be a computer, how am I going to navigate easily through that content?
Can I see my music sorted by artist? or how about by year?
the blade interface isnt perfect, and I agree there are issues (many that have already been solved, and more improvements to come), and the PS3 one looks cleaner. But is cleaner always better?
I cant stand iTunes, for the very reason I suspect I wont like the PS3’s interface.
That said, Im not buying a PS3 anyways, its too expensive. I do love the PS2 though, even after they killed off the dreamcast (those evil evil…)
Comment by Joe — August 1, 2006 @ 4:33 pm
Anyone who is confused by the 360’s UI needs to go back to 2nd grade. As for the PS3’s UI, its very attractive and simple. Only time will tell if the simplicity translates to functionality.
Comment by AJ Romero — August 1, 2006 @ 5:11 pm
GEORGE! OH GEORGE! are you retarted are you a retarted person? The ads on the Xbox UI are good how are you supposed to know when a new peice of content goes up or new games ect. on the PS3. You and many of us may go to Xbox.com to check or what ever PS3 will offer to see if new content is up or check blogs probably even just go to the martket place. But what about the majority of oblivious gamers who only turn on their xbox to play for a short while then turn it off? They will never know on PS3 if something new is up. IF they just click dashboard on xbox instantly they will see games like Frogger, Street Fighter, Pac-Man FREE music videos from cool artist like Matisyahu and the Fray. (ha i don’t see sony having any plans for sweet games like that or FREE videos!) Also you mentioned earlier that if you don’t know how to use the xbox UI you are stupid. well I think you fall under that catagory if you are trying to click something when on the right of a blade when you havent entered it yet. n00b. Also if you have lots of content on PS3 that will be a problem I had a PSP with a 2GB stick full with family guy episodes photos and music. it was impossible to scroll thorugh all the songs or see what video it was until the poster frame came up. LLLLLLAAAAAAAGGGGGGG. that interface is LLLLAAAAGGGGGGG! GO BACK TO SECOND GRADE N00B! If anyone supports PS3 and Blu-Ray they are idots! LIsten to this MAjor Nelson interview with an HD-DVD expert and Blu-Ray expert then tell me you would buy a PS3 or Blu-Ray player. http://www.majornelson.com/archive/2006/07/16/Show-183-The-one-about-HD-DVD.aspx If you are troo lazy pretty much it says BD havent been able to produce dual layer so they are maxed out at 25GB while HD-DVD os mostly all Dual layer art 30GB (for the n00bs who think size is the only facter). then see that HD-DVD will never scratch unless you take a knife to it becuase that data is layered between 2 .6mm piecies of plastci while BD is made liek regular CD’s which is .11mm and then .01mm which how Cd’s get scratched there is not enough space to protect the data. just for my last part of this BD can onyl be read and will be read on PS3 for games at about X16 while xbox games (DVD) maybe HD-DVD soon are at X106 so good luck with lioads time on PS3. also PS3 if 600 bucks and BD payers are 1000 while xbox is a mere 400 and HDdvd players are 500. GEORGE LETS HEAR A REBUTLE 2 THAT!!!!!!!!! SUCK IT N00B!!!
Comment by The Bus — August 1, 2006 @ 5:49 pm
It’s a bit unfair comparing Microsoft to Apple. Microsoft has a lot of products. Apple has Quicktime, iPod/iTunes, computers, and laptops. Oh and OSX. That’s like five things.
Go to Sony.com and try to find the site for Sony Financial, one of the larger and most profitable arms of Sony. Let’s see…
(Hint: It’s http://www.sonyfh.co.jp/money/english/)
Comment by platinumacetric — August 1, 2006 @ 6:52 pm
It looks like this guy needs a lil more information before he can draw a cnclusion. The last time i remember sony was not asked by the goverment to split it’s company to various department’s. This is s reason why microosft’s main website is so unorganised. some of you will be saying other wise. But trust me if you are form a university or you are in an orgainisation whihc has it’s depeartments split into various areas scattered in various places. you will realise that find and putting up information for each one of theese is extremely difficult. infact cross that. putting the right information in the right places is impossible. Name me one company let alone a business that has done it right. That is why each of it’s division has a seperate website. There is a seperate website for WINDOWSMEDIA and there is speerate website for WINDOWS MEDIA SOFTWARE. if you can’t tell the difference b/n the two then you don’t deserve to find what you are looking for. and you asked a valid question. and i qoute “Now, try to find WMV movie trailers from Microsoft’s website”. well this is really stupid if you try.. I want you right now to try and find movie trailers on sony’s main co-orporate website. yeah that changed the ball game right.. wait one second. do i look under entertainment and what the hell is this connect thing.. ohh look i finally found it under say what.. connect.. what’s that.. exactly.. if you are looking for wmv videos.. this is what should be oging on in your head. I am looking for windowsmedia videos. won’t it make sense to type windowsmedia.com first or even google windowsmedia videos. Now if you decide you are so smart and because it was a microosft division it should be on the main website. then slap your self. can anyone here. get up and say they are looking for quality game reviews so because fox owns IGN i will not go to IGN.com but rather FOX.com and find what i am looking for.. NOO.. Big NO..
Now that i have cleared the wrong ways of your logic. let;s look at the main sotry here. Xbox Blade vs PS interface. Are they both nice to the eye. Yes. SO they both get a point for inovation.
Are they both easy to find what you are looking for. Now here is where the question lies… sure. sony’s interface is streamlined, now as said by Neshill the interface is now going to get extremely confusing when looking for a particular song or particular album as you will have to scroll down to find what you are looking for. and with the album arts this makes it evne more frustrating. especially those gamers that have a screen b/n 20 - 32 inches. How big a screen was the demo proped on. now tell me. if you are sitting 5 feet away. are you gonna be able to tell what you are on. Yeah you did not think of that did you. all the icons have the same shade and basically the same size. now the xbox 360 on the other hand. has different coloors for each blade. now although this is good. it also has it’s problems. and this is where i agree with you. the 360 bigges fault in the blades is that stuff are scattered. when i first got my 360 i saw 2 different video links. i did not understand the resoning. or the stupid person that thought it wil be cool. to place a video link for those to view all video on the hardrive and a video link to display all video downloaded. wtf.. this is where microsoft grows dim. useless stuff in useless places.. but all is not lost for them. even though they have stuff scattered. let me ask you.. If you are looking for an aracde game where will you look. in the game balde right. wow. guess what it’s over there. if i wish to change my video settings where should i go. Setttings blade right.. ANd there you have it.. why does microosft offer other setings in like the guide window. cause it’s for quick reference to change a setting that is most commonly gonna be changed.
now tell me isn’t that simple. the mian difference b/n the two is that one has chosen a text way of presenting the information whihc is easy on the eye , and the other has choseens a graphical method of telling you what you cna do under there. They both achieve the same thing. the main confusion is that one company has put severeal hotlinks to go to other sections( which is uncalled for and not needed) and one has taken that out to give you the bare minium design. now what i want to see. is how much i can changed the ps3 startup page to suit my need. this is where i think it’s gonna get messy..
ohh and just as a last bit there was a person ohh yeah George. I think you need to be slapped. If you are trying to compare an old product to a new one then there is something wrong with you.. Just incase you did not already know. GO and try using Office 2007 yes it’s in beta. and guess what they have a new interface.. now does that show you that someone is trying to redem them selfs. i don’t belive we were comparing the 360 blade to the ps1 main menu where we. so if you want a good comparison use something that can relate. They know they did a bad job at interface design and guess what they changed their ways.
Comment by LittleJohnny — August 2, 2006 @ 12:20 am
The 360’s interface is great, i dont know why all the sony fanboys keep critizising and hating when they don’t even know if thats the final interface. And if u know how to use the interface on the 360 its really easy. like if u have a lot of blades open, just press the x in the controller and they will all magically go away. I am not a fanboy of MS, but i do hate it when people talk crap just to make themselves feel better, I would like to see the look on your face when Sony’s interface ends up a total failure.
Enough Said
Comment by SyKo — August 2, 2006 @ 12:57 am
shut the F**k up littlejohnny, no one cares!
and the xbox isnt as bad as he was makin it sound but the PS3’s interface is much much better!
Comment by Jester — August 2, 2006 @ 1:30 am
FanBoy, FanBoy, FanBoy
If i had to fork out THAT much for a console, i’d wanbt a bit more than something i can get on a bloody handheld….
I mena it is nice… for a video.. what happens when i have thousands of songs on there?? how does it sort them? what kind of review or comparison was this.. Better off posting that he had a nice video of a PS3 inteface…
Comment by pickassoreborn — August 2, 2006 @ 2:30 am
Oh, god, no. “My interface is teh bestter than yours!11on2!. Console wars has took a new shape. I love both the 360 interface and this. I’ve had no real problems with the 360 interface and navigating through it has become more intuitive with more use. Movie playback appears to be better with the 360 interface too compared to the mess of controls you get with you press start or whatever on the PS3. The PS3 interface is sleek, but it’s a direct rip from the PSP interface - I don’t agree with the “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it” kind of phrase. Sony didn’t bother redesigning their Dual Shock and they haven’t bothered redesigning their interface either. Surely they could of come up with something better? There’s a Sony fanboyishness about this feature which unsettles me somewhat.
Comment by SyKo — August 2, 2006 @ 3:16 am
Quote: “its a direct rip off the PSP”
PSP is made by sony, and the PSP has a good interface so y would u completetly redesign it? a couple of improvements here and ther.
Lets talk PRICE.
how much for a PC with all that?
i kno that just Sony just released a notebook with a Blu-ray drive. and its $5,500 in australia… the PS3 is only $999 in Australia… and i kno that ther is no way that notebook can do as much as the PS3.
Comment by SyKo — August 2, 2006 @ 3:19 am
oh, and they did redesign the contollor (boomerang)… it was CRAP but they did redesign it! 2nd, they did modify the “dual Shock” contollor by adding motion sensors, trigger like L2’s, R2’s and a “Home Button” (which they didnt steal from xbox, the PSP had it, so the xbox stole the home button from sony)…. and if u ask me, the motion sensing is a BIG thing.
Comment by Stormflood — August 2, 2006 @ 6:17 am
The 360 blades frustrate the hell out of me. They are a complete mess.
* Am I going to my downloaded demos, or am I going to the demo download page?
* Why doesn’t Live Arcade have its own blade - it’s an integral part of the 360?
* Why have blades at all when items then open pages that are outside of the blades - navigation should never take you OUT of the navigation?
* Where do I change the theme again? In the system settings? Where the hell is… oh, right, I have to press the central controller button for that particular blade - the hidden blade!
An complete and utter mess.
Comment by Anonymous — August 2, 2006 @ 7:10 am
“If the user has to constantly hunt and peck through the interface to find a desired feature, it’s possible the interface is poorly designed. (That, or the user is stupid. For this discussion, let’s assume users of moderate intelligence.)”
Sorry dude, but if you can’t work out how to use the Xbox 360 dashboard then I can only assume you don’t meet your own criteria.
I’m not saying the dashboard is perfect but most 360 owners I know love it.
Comment by Larry — August 2, 2006 @ 7:13 am
I’m sure, in your mind, you were trying to provide an objective, informative overview of the PS3 interface. However, you are so obviously, heavily Sony-biased, that what you provided was pretty much useless, to anyone but a diehard Sony consumer.
Comment by GARY — August 2, 2006 @ 7:42 am
Wow this is totally a PS3 dick riding report. At first I did not like the 360’s blades but then we got an update and it made things much easier. I like how it says that there are no ads in the ps3 interface. If sony would like to survive this round of the console wars I guarantee that there will be ads for whatever horrible rip off of Xbox Live Marketplace will be. Good job on comparing the two…..oh wait all you did was bash the 360….good review.
Comment by bOb — August 2, 2006 @ 7:59 am
Well, I know a biased opinion when I see one but really… does this guy need to venture so off topic as to see how long it takes to find media files? Obviously Microsoft is doing something right dont you thing since Apple is relatively no one compared to Microsoft software wise. But werent you comparing Sony and Microsoft? Since when does media formats concern Sony?
Comment by tmb — August 2, 2006 @ 9:06 am
ive never seen so many simpletons in my life, the xbox360 dash is so easy to use and far more better and inovative then anything ive ever see on a video game console. but as for the psp, oh excuse me i mean that ps3 come on, all i see is rip off’s fromeverything else. close sony but really no sigar. and for all you simple simone people who believes that the 360’s dash isnt the best is just a sony concubine. get off f the pole and try something new (xbox360) and save alot more money in the process. this american product is the best there is in the world compared to any console and includes the gaystation3 aswell as much as they dont wont to be called a video game console, when it really is get a clue fony sony
Comment by EVER OLVERA — August 2, 2006 @ 9:19 am
Why doesn’t Live Arcade have its own blade - it’s an integral part of the 360? by Stormfront…
What a pendejo…
Comment by Ryan — August 2, 2006 @ 10:22 am
Good job completely ruining any semblance of a fair, unbiased review within about 5 paragraphs. I’m suprised I even bothered reading the rest of the article.
As was mentioned before, when did you start reviewing the websites of Apple and Microsoft? I thought this was a review of SONY’s UI for their next video game console… Apparently I was mistaken, since fully two-thirds of your article deals with anything but Sony or the UI for their video game console.
That being said, the video does make it look like it will be a pretty simple interface to use, and it definately looks better than the 360’s. I haven’t even touched a PSP (I already have an MP3 player, thank you), so I can’t comment on how easy it is to use.
However, I do spend a decent amount of time listening to music and browsing the marketplace on my 360, and I haven’t really had a significant problem with the interface so far. The 360 does a good job of organizing my 3000+ songs and 600+ albums (or maybe WMC does this) and letting me find what I want in a short amount of time. I can understand how someone could have problems with it, but I don’t think any of the issues you brought up were enough to call the 360’s UI “horrible.” Am I wrong?
Comment by mike — August 2, 2006 @ 10:22 am
The PS3 interface looks terribly boring. You guys say the 360 interface looks like a cereal box. Well that retarded. So you’d rather have a boring stupidly layed out interface then one with colour and is customizable. I think you have to be a moron to not be able to figure out the 360 interface. This also might explain why you wrote this article in the first place.
Comment by Tom — August 2, 2006 @ 10:26 am
So this blog just got ruined. Qucik tip: if your response contains a spin on the statement “If u r 2 dumb to understand . . . ” you don’t know anything about UI design. I like my 360, I like a lot of stuff about it. The UI isn’t one of them. If you’re actually interested in UI design, check out the book “Don’t Make Me Think” and then reconsider your statements about how things “Only take a day to learn” or “PS3 interface is 4 n00bs”.
Comment by bob — August 2, 2006 @ 10:39 am
The blog got ruined the minute you made a comment Tom. The bottom line for me as a gamer is, the interface is not as important as the games themselves. As long as the games play well and its easy enough to operate the menus, then who cares about UI. I would rather have the 360 UI any day of the week, not to mention the fact that they are always working to improve on it. We could have a completely new interface in a year from now. who knows. we’ll see if Sony can even make their system work properly before we criticize microsoft on their system which obviously works well.
Comment by wizeone — August 2, 2006 @ 11:05 am
XBOX 360 RULE THE WORLD F@#K SONY
Comment by Joe — August 2, 2006 @ 12:10 pm
Simplicity is good, yes. I think the 360 lacked what they call a “testing” phase in the development of its UI. Obsviously, they have addressed some these issues over time. That’s the problem with Microsoft. They try so hard to innovate that they overthink too much and create products that are premature ideas.
However, in their defense, this article is clearly biased. Just because something is already good (or at least is considered to be adequate by many) does not mean there isn’t a better way to do things. And that’s what Microsoft is about. Sony holds a near monopoly on the game industry because of people like you that are afraid to try something new. I appreciate a feature rich interface when I pay 400 dollars for a product. It’s easy to criticize new ideas because they force us to change. 360’s UI may have its problems, but it introduces ideas that could become standard in future UI’s. It’s unfair that one company gets beat up for taking the chance of establishing these new standards. 1 point for Microsoft.
Comment by cc — August 2, 2006 @ 1:02 pm
LOVE it cant wait
Comment by ASSASSYN 36o — August 2, 2006 @ 1:10 pm
PERSONALLY I THINK IT IS A INSULT TO ANY GAMERS INTELLIGENCE THAT THEY MAKE SUCH A SIMPLISTIC INTERFACE. ANYONE WHOM ENJOYS THIS CRAP IM SURE YOU LACK A HIGH I.Q. THE 360 BLADES ARE HARD TO UTILIZE? WTF! MY NEPHEW CAN DO IT AND HE IS 5 YRS. OLD YOU PEOPLE MUST REALLY ENJOY NOT BEING CHALLENGED. EVEN IF IT IS A SMALL ONE!
Comment by moat123 — August 2, 2006 @ 1:24 pm
You find the “Blades” hard to work with? My lord what has our world come to. A monkey could figure 360’s interface out, I mean come on.
Ps3’s does look cooler, but you cant figure out 360’s? Sounds as if its the user’s head space to me……….?
Comment by TT — August 2, 2006 @ 1:40 pm
Why is it no-one has yet to bring up ANYTHING about a REMOTE ?? Does anyone really want to sit on their couch with their $1000.00 PS3 investment and navigate through any UI or a BD movie with a game controller ?
Comment by KingKaid — August 2, 2006 @ 2:10 pm
So quick question… where is the online button on the Sony Dash video? I don’t see that or ANY download options, let alone a webbrowsers.
Comment by Dildo Licker — August 2, 2006 @ 2:15 pm
Anyone who thinks the 360’s interface is bad and unintuitive must be well below moderate intelligence. It’s smooth and extremely easy to use, and everything I’ve ever read on well known sites agrees. M$’s websites could be crap (i’ve never used them) but the 360’s interface is close to perfect, if you can’t figure out the blades, how do hold down a job? How much does Sony pay you to write crap like this?
Comment by Sam — August 2, 2006 @ 2:35 pm
George, you sound like a biased dumbass. The PS3 is much more sleek and sexier but even an infant could navigate the XBOX 360 menus. Perhaps you should be honest with yourself because I know you can’t be that stupid.
Comment by vettle — August 2, 2006 @ 3:44 pm
i love the blades, i have no idea why people have a hard time navigating. unless they have not used it at all or for only a few minutes. i customized my blades and the color and have my sons picture on the background it just f’n rules.
Comment by Tom — August 2, 2006 @ 3:44 pm
“As long as the games play well and its easy enough to operate the menus, then who cares about UI.”
Ok. Except it’s not just a console anymore, is it? Microsoft and Sony don’t see them as just things to play games on. If I’m going to buy stuff and watch stuff via a console, I’d like it to be as intuitive as possible. But go on and take everything as a personal insult and deride all naysayers as fanbois. Let me know how that works out.
Comment by SwizzlesMum — August 2, 2006 @ 3:57 pm
I had to stop reading this halfway through, when it became obvious that this was written by a Sony Fanboy. I prefer objective articles. But read it if you want to see the 360 interface get bashed with no back up reasons.
Comment by mkjones — August 2, 2006 @ 5:33 pm
No offence. But you are an idiot.
I work developing and analysing web based UIs week in/week out and the 360 one is one of the best I have seen.
Using the Microsoft website as an example as to why the 360 interface has any shortcomings is ridiculous.
If you even think for a moment the Microsoft website developers and the 360 dashboard developers even breathed the same air while the 360 was being created then your thought process obviously evolved in some kind of dark stinky room.
I will agree the PS3 interface looks nice and easy to use. Just as the 360 interface IS nice and easy to use.
Comment by Tom — August 2, 2006 @ 7:25 pm
“I work developing and analysing web based UIs week in/week out and the 360 one is one of the best I have seen.”
Then explain why instead of drowning us in ad hominem attacks. Give us the principles of HCI the interface meets. I see a bunch of people in-thread claiming they’re UI designers, but I don’t hear any UI talk. If you bust out 3rd-rate websites in Frontpage for some 3rd-rate local web company, don’t play like you’re reppin’ Cupertino, CA. Tell us what you know. Explain why the article’s wrong instead of defending your $500 investment.
Why’s it gotta be so personal in this thread? It’s your mom’s money anyway.
(yeah I see the hypocripsy)
Comment by nacho — August 2, 2006 @ 7:48 pm
Well, I am new to the whole console thing…I married a gamer (sp?) a little over a year ago and never really played video games before then. I am a noob (sp? since many of you spell it different ways), as you might say, and I did find the 360 interface a bit frustrating. Good design, no matter who generates it…should not be frustrating (or at least minimize it).
The comparison between Apple and Microsoft seems valid in that it is not about what they offer, etc. as some of the previous comments have used as means to discredit the validity of this article, but more about the difference in design presentation. I would agree that Microsoft sometimes misses the boat on design, even if I do make my living out of using their software.
A couple of side notes: It is amusing to me how fervently people come to the aide of Microsoft. I am sure they can take care of themselves.
It also amuses me that individuals will call someone an idiot and ask that the receipient to not take offense. I am sure the writer could care less about some of the disorganized comments that accompany this article, but being a noob observer to new world I have been recently introduced to in the last year…I find them a bit melodramatic. So thank you to those who made comments, it has given me insight into the gamer-blogger world.
Comment by fuck sony — August 2, 2006 @ 8:46 pm
I think a lot of you all need to put down the whiskey bottle and start using your freakin brains if you have one! It’s just an interface.
Comment by f — August 2, 2006 @ 10:07 pm
Personally I love the blade system and have no trouble at all finding anything. For anyone to claim they found it confusing or to claim that it took you forever to find feature….either thats a biased lie or you are mentally challenged aids infested clown. Its that simple.
Comment by Anonymous — August 2, 2006 @ 10:16 pm
hail ps3.
Comment by dan — August 2, 2006 @ 10:48 pm
the video was nice i liked it
but I use a 360 and i have no problems with the UI
i kinda agree on the bright colors thing. but once i apply a theme it looks much better.
but please admit you really bashed the 360.
(on a side note, one of the reasons i think the ps console has always been more appealing is they ( developers arent afraid of using dark dingy colors.)
the xbox and gamecube have always had many games falboyantly colored
ps on the other hand has been able to use dingy
darker color hues on their games for example take tekken 5 vs dead or alive.
Comment by KaptainKernal — August 3, 2006 @ 12:02 am
um…. flame wars are bad. Im a sony fan I admit it but I think my friends 360’s are awsome. I play them and would get one, but Im getting a PS3 and a 360 maybe in the future. I love the PSP Interface and excited about the PS3’s simple and easy to use. The 360 Interface may not be simple but it is fuctional. My BIG BIFF with the 360 is the fact you cant copy music of a Flash,MP3 Player, or Portable Hard Drive. Only from CD’s. Also you cant get videos of the Flash Drive or Partable Hard Drive. Theres no Internet Browser and while 360 has great games I want MGS4 period. And other games… I know you can use a comp for videos and music and internet but, I GET PISSED AT MY COMP. everyday something happens: it slows or crashes it exits a program before i can save it can do so many things to piss me off so I always go to my game system since it cant piss me off. No slow down no crashes and some sweet games, etc… and the fact it can be the computer that can never piss me off. So I want a secound computer and a game machine. I want to do all my normal duties on a PS3 then play some Motorstorm of Resistence. For some other things let the comp do that but my PS3 will never anger me. Now the 360 would also be similar besides the fact it has less multimedia features and I would acept that but the bug in DOA4 changed that. The bug that deletes your savegame we had to get tengu (big black guy with huge nose) 7 times. you know ow hard it is beating that blue chick. Another thing I got a HDTV and I want my games in 1080p the 360 cant reach that it only gets up to 1080i. 1080i is fine (DOA4 was so Freaking sweet) but I want to use True HD. I already sold my PS2 to get those last few dollars for the PS3 and if I get a 360 I got 25+ games I cant play including RE4 (Resident Evil 4 only PS2 is one of the only games on the PS2 that can be in HD sweet.) Anyway I love 360 and PS3. The end of my comment is more fanboy then unbiased but who cares. Let half of us be PS3 fanboys and the other 360 fanboys lets just not argue about it. I dought in a flame war you can turn a PS3 or 360 diehard fan to your side so why bother that goes for both sides.
In Leet:
\/\/3 4r3 477 |\|00b5 1|\| 50|\/|3 \/\/4y 17′5 7r|_| 1 5p34|< t3h 1337.
In English:
We are all noobs in some way it’s true I speak the Leet.
Comment by Chris — August 3, 2006 @ 12:24 am
I didnt have any problems with the 360 interface but i did have a problem with the console itself. I really can’t believe i bought a piece of shit like that. i have always been a ps fan but i thought microsoft was coming strong with the 360.. i guess i was wrong… not enough games (good ones), the dvd player was terrible and why the hell are they asking money for those crappy old arcade games… The only thing that’s really good about the 360 is Xbox Live… I really liked that.. but it’s not enough to convince me. I guess im gonna go for the ps3, a REAL next-gen console.
Comment by Biggie — August 3, 2006 @ 1:24 am
the 360 interface is ok but compared to the ps3’s interface it’s garbage from a 1-10 I’ll give the 360 a 6 and the ps3 a 9.5 we’ll just have to wait and see what the wii has to offer. But that’s just for kids so of course it going to be real simple.
Comment by Wen — August 3, 2006 @ 2:05 am
So agreed….. xbox interface is just and overrated crap. Simple, clean and neat. Things that ease eyes
Comment by Kyle — August 3, 2006 @ 2:17 am
OMG what a stupid article. If he finds the 360 blade hard to navigate he needs to go back to pre-school.
Comment by knecht — August 3, 2006 @ 2:18 am
Go outside and play. Hiking, mountain climbing, swimming, boating, sports, etc.
Or just get fat and play video games.
Comment by anon — August 3, 2006 @ 2:50 am
can you seriously not figure out how to work the 360 dashboard? its even got big color bars for the mentally challenged like you. this is such a joke. you whine about finding the settings option in the 360 dash, its called the settings blade. you’re obviously just a sony fanboy trying to pass off your biased opinion as some sort of moderate outlook on how the ps3 interface is shaping up.
Comment by mkjones — August 3, 2006 @ 7:32 am
“I see a bunch of people in-thread claiming they’re UI designers, but I don’t hear any UI talk.”
Sure we can all bust our chops and throw out a bunch of acronyms that maybe 2% of the posters here would care to comment on OR we could maybe try and level the playing field and use some real world terms.
You sir, are a fanboy
Comment by Link4009 — August 3, 2006 @ 9:07 am
Hmm I think the PS3 interface is pretty good. I’m gonna look forward being able to try it for myself soon.
Comment by JK009 — August 3, 2006 @ 10:36 am
Now, this review is quite flawed for a multitude of reasons.
1. Stick to reviewing the PS3 interface and not going of track on comparsions of another interface.
2. What does MS’s website have to do with the interface of the PS3?
3. “(Sounds like a simple thing, but the Xbox 360 interface sends you flying through various “blades” when all you wanted to do was select the little highlightable window on the right side of the screen.)” Blades or direct menu’s; you are still going left or right. Sorry if you did not know that already.
4. “Why add a bunch of “pages” or “blades” when a simple horizontal menu will achieve the same results, but in a more predictable manner?” -Still left or right…Ummm
5. “Or, on the other hand, does it look and feel more like a cereal box?”-Personal opinion…No facts…
6. “Settings blade, or buried somewhere in the “Xbox Guide”.” Setiings: Console Based…Guide Personal Options…
7. “Microsoft has a lot of work to do, there.
It looks like someone over at Sony has a clue about how interfaces should work.” Um, and Sony put work into it as much as MS…Ya, update a PSP nav and through it up; or create a new interface; you tell me what takes more work…
-
8. “ACib: order and arranged in such a way that you dont have to do anything but press “right”or “left” to get to them” -Um I believed she DID click left and right to change menu’s…
9. And for that one person who can’t start a game in the tray…And don’t know how; get some inteligence (sp) as it says Launch Game/Movie on the bottom of the screen.
10. You can’t review a interface on a movie; come on, this is more of a preview/FIRST LOOK!!!
11. Later
Comment by [DD] — August 3, 2006 @ 3:19 pm
Oh how the xbox lovers hate criticism eh?
I find it quite funny.
Especially when talking design.
Comment by Tom — August 3, 2006 @ 4:50 pm
Sure we can all bust our chops and throw out a bunch of acronyms that maybe 2% of the posters here would care to comment on . . . You sir, are a fanboy
So that’s a no on any actual HCI knowledge then? And what makes me a fanboy? The PS, PS2, X-Box, 360, GameCube, Powerbook, Linux box or 3 Windows computers? Keep attacking the posters instead of discussing the topic. Love the “audience is too dumb to understand”. I guess logical fallacies aren’t a subject you’d care to discuss either?
Comment by killa — August 3, 2006 @ 7:40 pm
its awesome yay ps3
Comment by j — August 3, 2006 @ 8:25 pm
Anyone can figure the 360 ui eventualy but what makes the ps3s better is the fact that you dont have to. whats worse is the fact that microsoft has way more experience making software than sony.
Comment by g — August 3, 2006 @ 8:32 pm
the xbox 360 overall realy adds nothing new to gaming exept for slightly better graphics. in terms of gameplay its actualy a downgrade from the original xbox since it doesnt have a standard harddrive. if the 360 cant even outsell the ps2 how in the world is it going to outsell the ps3.
Comment by Michael Jackson — August 3, 2006 @ 9:38 pm
Wow you have trouble with the 360 blades. I didnt know four clearly marked blades were so hard to navigate. Perhaps you should go back to the snes. NO menu to worry about. I love ps3 fanboys. They are so dumb
Comment by born for this day — August 4, 2006 @ 7:34 am
I have no plans to get an Xbox ever, I own both a PSX and a PS2, but the bias in this review against Microsoft is simply blinding. Not only do you critizise the Microsoft website design (which is completely unrealted to console interfaces) but you compare it to the ipod and the apple site. I would bet the writer bought a Mac just to spite the “Evil Microsoft Empire”.
Comment by Raule — August 4, 2006 @ 3:18 pm
Wow, this has to be the biggest piece of Sony Fanboy Trash I have read in a long time! Are you being paid by sony to be such a Fanboy, non of your arguments make any sense, they are all based on a heavy Sony bias and a bunch of Rhetoric!
Comment by Darcey — August 4, 2006 @ 3:24 pm
Why is it that the only pro PS3 articles I ever see, are all outrageously biassed Microsoft bash fests?
lol, If I trouble figuring out the 360s dashboard I would be way to embarrassed to write about it.
Comment by Cliff — August 5, 2006 @ 12:50 am
I own a PS2 and did own an XBox before I recently sold it to make some tabletop-realestate available for the 360 I’ll be getting in a few weeks. I’m an avid gamer and have invested tons of money in my Playstations, my Xbox, and my PC as well. I really enjoy all the consoles and find no reason to pick one over the other, aside from sheer price. This review, in my opinion was VERY biased and as stated many times, was used to bash Microsoft repeatedly. Sadly, this anti-Microsoft review makes itself for obvious reasons the last of your reviews I will ever read.
Comment by XBOX? — August 6, 2006 @ 5:35 am
I want to go out and buy the console that is slower and dosnt support HD movies etc… I should get an XBox 360 then LOL
I understand that all the people that support the 360 can’t afford a PS3, and that is ok LOL, but I am not going to buy a second rate console.
Comment by Your joking right — August 6, 2006 @ 5:42 am
I saw a comment above saying that PS3 won’t ever get close to XBox Live. The thing that will smack it down (Like the way i smack yo momma!) is that it is free!
I agree with the previous post and think that xbox360’s is the second choice machine! that is if you cant get your mits on a PS3!
Comment by Keyboard and Mouse — August 6, 2006 @ 5:43 am
Play games like a PC!!! I love my 1st person shooters, can a XBox do dat BIATCH!
Comment by Blue — August 6, 2006 @ 8:50 am
who is this retard going on about how poor microsoft is at making software for pc’s and consoles? they are a software company and thats what they are best at - why the eff do you think Windows is on almost every computer instead of linux or OS X? Maybe because its well designed? The 360’s interface has had lots of praise and is well made and is focussed around the user - a long line of options on a plain black background is well made and quickly accessable for a psp, but for a home games console is just plain lazy and sh!t. getit together mate.
Comment by Max Howell — August 6, 2006 @ 10:13 am
MS in the past haven’t cared for UI design, but times are changing.
The blade UI is good for the input device it caters too, that being a 12 button gamepad. It is well thought out and crams a lot of stuff into a small area.
You can argue there are to many features etc. however I’d argue that the UI designers who received the feature set that was allocated for the interface did a good job.
To see how MS is improving in UI design look at Vista (somewhat better), and then look at Office 2007, which is frankly an amazing interface that has been designed very well and with hindsight.
I too am a software engineer with a specialisation in interface-design.
Finally I admire the simplicity of the PS3 interface, but I don’t think it’s much worse or better than the blade system in the context of its usage.
If anything it is a worse system overal because it puts things like a web-browser into a system that will not cope well with it. The web was designed for a keyboard and mouse, I fail to see how anyone could make it easy to use with a gamepad.
Comment by Max Howell — August 6, 2006 @ 10:14 am
Jesus, some bunch of 12 year olds found this article then.
If I was editor, I’d delete all the bullshit posts from obvious fanboys.
Comment by Scott — August 6, 2006 @ 8:11 pm
Hold on, from the looks of the video you can’t listen to music and play the game at the same time? With the 360 all you have to do is choose the album or song, back out and it continues to play, i love it, does the PS3 not have that capability?
Comment by Knight Rider 2K — August 6, 2006 @ 9:51 pm
George,
I noticed there was nothing related to this supposed unified online service that Sony goes on about. No messages, friends lists, or game invites. Whine all you want about settings. When it comes to features, your video shows that Sony is really far behind.
Comment by SE7N — August 7, 2006 @ 2:04 am
Looks like crap to me. I own a PSP and have never been a fan of this style of UI. Sony originaly showed images that looked like they completely ripped off Xbox Live. Seems like they should have continued to rip MS off, because this looks horrible.
But then, MS is a OS creating company with years and years of UI experience, so it would be expected to see them on top against companies that know next to nothing about creating an OS.
Comment by YOU SUCK — August 7, 2006 @ 2:18 am
Is this a review for the Microsoft website, or the PS3 UI? 80% of your review was a rant about the MS website… I think you need a new line of work.
Comment by Andrew Ogier — August 7, 2006 @ 6:02 am
Totally biased, uninformed, and misguided “review” here.
For a start, you said “And those controls need to be arranged in a way that makes sense. It needs to be Intuitive. With a well designed interface, a specific feature should appear exactly where the user expects it to appear.”
Now, I looked at the E3 video slapped on your blog here, and I didn’t see ANY form of information regarding utilisation of features, like for example the multi page web browsing… What button do you press to get that up again? Oh wait, they don’t tell you, you have to guess which button it is to do different features in each area of the UI. Same again, how do you start a slideshow? or How do you rotate the picture? How do you play MP3’s while navigating through the Dash or while playing games? Intuitive my ass. No text labels on ANYTHING means it’s going to have a long accustomisation time. Far longer than the 3 / 4 hours the 360 blades take with their clearly text labeled options.
“If the user has to constantly hunt and peck through the interface to find a desired feature, it’s possible the interface is poorly designed.” Yes, you’re right, therefore, my previous comment merged with your own statement verifies that the PS3 UI, while pretty to look at, is poorly designed.
Anyone with a PC will know that those lovely MP3 menus and Photo menus will be fantastic on PS3 for a while, until they start to fill up. Put a few thousand Mp3’s and a few hundred photos on it, and scroll through to find a specific item on that dashboard. You’ll soon realise how poorly implemented it is. It takes ages to scroll down and the hard drive will take time to bring previews up, either with a long pause at the start, or (similar to the PSP) slapping a white placeholder on the image till the HD catches up.
Scrolling through those “intuitive” and “simple” menus will be a pain in the ass.
Now, onto the 360 dashboard :- “With a well designed interface, a specific feature should appear exactly where the user expects it to appear. Music should appear under the Media category along with Videos. Demos should appear under the games category.”
HELLO?? Have you even USED a 360’s dashboard???? It’s PRECISELY as you wanted a well designed interface to be. Music is in a Media blade along with photos and videos. Demos are in the Games blade along with Demos and game stats, and Messages, friends lists, and Marketplace are all in the XBL blade.
This “Review” can lead me to 3 possible conclusions.
A: You don’t know what you’re talking about you rate a UI on pretty swirls and effects in the background rather than functionality.
B: You’re an MS hater / Sony fanboy.
or C: You’re being paid by Sony to talk shit.
Anyone with your prequisite of “moderate intelligence” can clearly see that one of those rings true. I’ll leave the other readers to decide which one it is.
Comment by nords — August 7, 2006 @ 9:12 am
My god … its sure you do not know what your talking about.
How can the 360 interface be complicated?
4 blades “XBOX LIVE” , “GAMES” , “MEDIA” , “SYSTEM”.
If you want a video you go in media … etc
How can this be complicated!!!!
Before writing review like this ask yourself “Do I Know exactly what im talking about”
Comment by thoughtso — August 7, 2006 @ 1:47 pm
It’s pretty obvious how much of a fanboy you are. You haven’t even used the PS3 interface and already it’s ‘worlds better’ than the Xbox 360 interface. What about the Nintendo Wii interface, they have always had great UIs!
Comment by RC Master — August 7, 2006 @ 2:53 pm
Now, i admit to not being an expert on UI, but i REALLY don’t like how the menu for things like ‘pause’ ’start’ etc appears near the middle of the screen over the video. I personally prefer it to be tucked away, while still visable and fuctional. Like, at the bottom of the screen.
Comment by Endehas — August 7, 2006 @ 5:56 pm
Personally, I like the style of the PS3 interface, looks nice and neat. It fits the console. The blades fit the 360 and what it’s supposed to do. I’ve never had trouble navigating through them, and have grown quite fond of them.
Also, your review was awful. You know how jornalists always refer to the decline of writing skills in “supposed” game blogs? You’re a prime example. Don’t quit your day job.
Comment by gamer andy — August 8, 2006 @ 6:27 pm
When it comes to interfacing with next-gen consoles simplicity is the key, and Sony got it right. Their interface is a thing of beauty, so simple and yet so funcutual. I have an xbox 360 and I never have a problem with the dashboard It’s an excellent design but sony’s looks alot better.
Comment by Josh — August 11, 2006 @ 11:59 pm
George,
Learn how to do your job! This article was suppose to be about the PS3 interface. So what do you talk about
Comment by Nicholas — August 15, 2006 @ 12:00 am
The 360’s blade system and PS3’s XMB are good GUIs. Arguing which is better is stupid and you should appreciate both for what they are, it