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Lempel: A hidden update on FW 2.80, the beautiful XMB, and an 'open offer' to Microsoft

Posted Jul 7, 2009 at 1:15PM EST by Mabie A.

Listed in: PS3 Tags: Eric Lempel, Microsoft, playstation 3 updates, Playstation Home, PlayStation Network, PlayStation Store, Sony, XMB

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In an interview with PC World, Sony Director of Network Operations, Eric Lempel, took the time to address questions on their Emmy award-winning XMB interface, and the rumors on the next firmware update. And of course, he did not forget to take a subtle swipe at competitor Microsoft.

Interestingly enough, he talked about a 'hidden update' in the PS3's FW 2.80. "[W]ith 2.80 we implemented something that we didn't talk a lot about," he said.

We actually gave consumers the option to update. What I mean by that is, prior to 2.80 you had to update. So you'd turn on your PS3 and it would say, you know, if you want to to in the store, if you want to play an online game, or go into PlayStation Home, it would say there's an update available, please update before moving any further.

With 2.8 it was an option. Users didn't have to update when it released, and actually weren't prompted to do so because there weren't any costumer-specific functionality. I'd say a majority of consumers out there who just wait to get hit by these updates didn't even know about it. They might still not know about it.

And so now you know.

I am beautiful. - PS3 XMB

As for the rumored huge firmware update that's coming out next, which will supposedly overhaul their interface, "What we find is that people really like our current interface. We did redesign the PlayStation Store last April to make some improvements, make it master, make it better, and we're always listening to our consumers," he said, without batting an eyelash, I presume.

Therefore, since everyone else is very much comfortable with the existing model, there appears to be no need to remodel it. "No plans right now to do anything like what the competitor has done," he said, in reference to Microsoft's New Xbox Experience (NXE).

Speaking of which:

You know, hey, it's great, if they (Microsoft) like our interface and want to copy it, as long as that's legal, sure. I don't really know how they go about making their plans or the strategy behind them, but if they've found that we're doing something right and they want to coy that, more power to them.

Meow.

Sony: PS3 firmware 3.0 rumor untrue

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Was that it wasn't mandatory.

But I also agree, There is absolutely no reason Sony should redesign the XMB. It's fast, loads fast, goes away fast, is very clean, and very easy to use. People who cry for a redesign probably have no idea how to use it and thus want it to change. I would cry if I saw the XMB take more than half a second to load up, much less the half a minute it takes for the Dashboard to load up and actually let you do something, and the other minute it takes to disappear.

# . — NarooN 2009-07-07 16:00

I love the XMB. It's perfect, keep it.

I was well aware that the update wasn't mandatory right after it came out. This can cause some problems in the future - say - if the in-game voice chat rolls around. In the best case it'll just say that user needs to update. Looks like Sony really was listening when all those people were whining about mandatory updates last month.

# Odd — Teivin 2009-07-07 16:24

The dashboard on my 360 just took 2 seconds to load in the middle of a game of L4D.

Took about the same to go away. Maybe you're playing a different system than me?

If we want to take potshots at things that take forever to load, lets take a look at the PSP XMB...

I agree with the rest of the statement, though. PS3 XMB is fine, I like it, and changing it just because people want something different would be the pinnacle of stupid.

# The Hidden Feature... — xCraftx 2009-07-07 17:03

Is that the Guitar hero world tour peripherals automatically go to the controller 7 slot when u turn them on so u have to switch them to slot 1-4 every time u turn the game on

# did sony... — danielakadanny 2009-07-07 17:40

just b!tch slap microsoft about coping but said sorry by sayng its ok that they did?????

but eiher way i love the xmb...its easy(like ur mom jk...i love tht joke)no way complicated and you can put in your own custom desines

# The XMB... — Acteon 2009-07-07 22:34

...is probably one of the nicest interfaces I've ever used (and my job means I use a LOT of interfaces). If they ever change it, I think it should be an optional update.

# Ok, then listen to this : — cizzar 2009-07-07 22:37

PRICE CUT !!!

# I was taking a potshot. — Anhmeister 2009-07-08 00:50

But I wasn't lying. I'm actually playing on an Elite, and in every game of Halo that I play, the dashboard takes about that much time to load and get out. Maybe it's the difference in games, but it is atrocious.

The PSP XMB? Takes no time at all, or rather I have no idea what you are talking about as it has no in-game XMB.

# depends on the 360... — Shatterdome 2009-07-08 01:36

One of my buddies has a black elite, and for the most part the dash works fine, but 1 out of every 10 times it locks up while doing something for 10-15secs before unfreezing.....my other buddies pro xbox never does it.....

I agree though, love the PS3 XMB and it's complete lack of clutter.....keep it simple....

# um — sirgrinalot 2009-07-08 05:21

@Teivin

And you are comparing the psp interface to what other portable interface exactly?

# lol — Miclowgunman 2009-07-08 07:28

lets find a way for then to make PS3's cheaper so they can give it a price cut! Hmmm...Lets call China!

# I love the XMB — Flamesack112 2009-07-08 11:39

Never failed me yet. One of the features in the next update really has to be private chat/party chat. The 360 has had it from day-one and still no love from Sony about it.

I use it all the time on XBL.

Also, throw us some more codecs Sony. It costs almost nothing to add FLAC, MKV, and DIVX# codecs.

# You SOB !! — Order-Sol 2009-07-08 16:13

It wasn't mandatory ?! How bout informing us next time Lempel. I mean for Christ sake, i could have still had Hulu on my PS3 !! :(

# . — NarooN 2009-07-08 17:10

Didn't we have DivX at one time? I remember reading that it got removed in one of the recent updates.

# Yeah. — Flamesack112 2009-07-09 04:55

We have some DIVX codecs 3 and 4 I believe.

FLAC still isn't supported.

The MKV container isn't either.

# ... — Silver-Tiger 2009-07-11 23:18

The firmware update had nothing to do with Hulu. The page is the only one to blame.

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Lempel: A hidden update on FW 2.80, the beautiful XMB, and an 'open offer' to Microsoft

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