Posted Apr 08, 2007 at 08:01PM by Tim Y. Listed in: Opinions & Analysis, Firmware Tags: XMB, Sony, GDC, SCEA, firmware updates
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Sample screenshot of the PS3's XMB browser - Image 1 


While current discussions for the PlayStation 3's recent firmware updates focus on the console's background download compatibility, a recent petition we picked up implies concern for the PS3's XMB browser. This petition, addressed to Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA), requested the company to update their console with user access to the PS3's Cross Media Bar browser (XMB) while they were playing any of the PS3's games:

Sony, we want access to the XMB in game including custom soundtracks. At GDC 06 you showed access to the XMB, and so did early dev kits but they haven't made it to the final console. Early research suggested PS3 reserves 64mb of the main RAM for the XMB, but we currently have no access to the XMB at all. Please add this through a firmware upgrade to the PS3.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

Given that firmware 1.6 has just been launched, and that there are no details for future firmware updates, we'll just have to wait and see how Sony decides to react to this letter. Aside from other major additions, firmware update 1.6 gives the PS3 console the capability to do background downloads while users users played games on the console. The trade-off was that users would have to play offline.

Keep posted in case we hear more about this petition. For the moment, we address these questions to the readers: Would you like to have XMB accessibility while you play? Or, what do you think is the probability that Sony may be adding this feature in future fw updates?


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80 Comments


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   by El_Colombiano (Unregistered) - 2007-04-08
 » I hope Sony pays attention to this...

Because I hate the 360 fanboys laughing at the fact that we can't bring up the XMB in game...I just want to enjoy my console, so if this will shut them up about the XMB access ingame so be it...


   Re: gheddoeninja - 2007-04-08
 » all i know is

that I signed it.. i advise all the ps3 owners sign it.

   Re: PS3 is for me (Unregistered) - 2007-04-08
 » hell ya!

man, i want this badly, like music on hdd being played in the background, this will really draw the lines between the 360 and ps3 comparsions; i thought this is an entertainment system...what happened to creativity sony?

   Re: picksupknife... (Unregistered) - 2007-04-08
 » friends?

not only music and pix, but what about replying to a friends message or convosationing in-game, i dont wanna quit the freakin game to reply a message....

   Re: Mister Common Sense - 2007-04-09
 » falling on deaf ears

This will require work on the part of sony, and everybody knows sony just loves giving you everything you want. The PS3's XMB is just as limited and crappy as the PSP's. Can you even change the background image yet?

   Re: xche78x - 2007-04-09
 » really?

what for? useless, waste or resource,
why not petition something better!
more exclusive games!
silly silly people, envying xbots!
im ok at the 1.6 version of PS3.... now wheres that paradox thinggy or is it just an april fools thing?

   Re: Spooks (Unregistered) - 2007-04-09
 » Mister common sense is stupid.

The PS3's XMB is far more flexible than the PSPs.

You CAN change the background on the PSP very easily, on all firmwares since 2.0.

The PS3's XMB lets you multi task, so it's not as limited anc crappy as your fanboy mind leads you to believe.

   Re: Mister Common Sense - 2007-04-09
 » poor spooks needs more explanation

I have a PSP. That's why I know sony's firmware updates suck.
Can you change the wallpaper on the PS3 yet?

   Re: Advertising -


   Re: mr toasty (Unregistered) - 2007-04-09
 » cripes

Mister Common Sense will you shut the hell up!

All you ever do is troll the PS3 articles, seriously, get a life!

   Re: mohaas05 (Unregistered) - 2007-04-09
 » hmm

i think it is a possibility sony may add this but for what point. seriously what are you actually going to do? Do you really need to multitask that badly? The only useful purpose i see for this is to check on background downloads. i own a psp and a ps3 and i never have needed or longed for this capability.

   Re: damonous - 2007-04-09
 » Remove 64mb of system memory from games?

This is the silliest petition. Ok, on your Windows computer, once you launch Doom3, how often has anyone minimized to the desktop to start up an MP3, then maximized the app and listened to the MP3 along with the game? --Just plain stupid. Even on an extreme system, the game would probably choke after a few minutes until you exit the game and relaunch.
.
And now, everyone wants developers to maximize PS3 hardware, but also reserve 64mb of system memory just for the dubious luxury of returning to the XMB? SILLY. I can see where some interface for email replies might be nice, but not necessary for a GAME system. --Even if 360 can do this (I've never tried), who cares? It's just as stupid a waste of system resource allocation on 360 as if Sony actually listened to this request and implemented it for PS3.
.
The thing to petition for is hardware upscaling. For DVD's and games. I'm presuming that the reason why some games (like Armored Core 4) show 720p support on PS3 but 1080i on 360 is because the game is actually max 720p for either, but that 360 is hardware-upscaling the image. This would at least be a worthwhile allocation of memory and/or hardware resources.

   Re: DA ps3 god (Unregistered) - 2007-04-09
 » thiz would be great

the ps3 iz great and addin mp3s 2 the games iz even better wit the xmb cause oblivion iz a long ass game and i need lil jon,maroon 5,nervina and many great ppl 2 keep me up and alarmed think calssical music while in a sword fight it would be da ***** PLZ SONY do thiz i signed it

   Re: iop (Unregistered) - 2007-04-10
 » Most PS3 owners have beards

PS3 owners and petitions ! I bet most of you are students with beards....

   Re: D.Vader (Unregistered) - 2007-04-10
 » Stop crying...

Who cares what your 360 friends say. At the end of the day they have a crap console. I don't really care too much about XMB access, because for 1 - there isn't too much to do out there. 2 - Sony is on record as wanting to add this feature anyway.

If you are all going to petition why don't you do something more worthwhile? This is a done deal and only makes us PS3 guys look like a bunch of cry-babies.

Who cares about GayBox 360, you have the most powerful console ever made!

   Re: Blah (Unregistered) - 2007-04-10
 » 1080i vs 720p

1080i is NOT better.

And you can see it for yourself to if you hook up a 1080x768+ res computer to a tv.

I have a 540p 720i 720p 1080i 1080p tvs and 1080i shows alot of blurriness compared to the 720p.
Why?
B/c 720p means you are actually using all 720 pixels INDIVIDUALLY.
1080i is basically trying to look 1080p but only using the limited number of pixels that tv has which can be 720 since one of my tvs has two displays, 720p and 1080i.

One of my other tvs has only two displays too, 540p and 1080i, and seriously, there's no difference.

IOW, PS3 actually does have the better graphics for games like Armored Core 4.

I have both systems. I like them both. But I like the XboX a little more. Reasons is b/c there's not vibration for Ps3 and Xbox has better online gameplay.

Unless, another Dark-Alex shows up for the PS3.

   Re: damonous - 2007-04-10
 » 1080p better than 1080i better than 720p

To say 1080i uses a limited number of pixels is correct and incorrect. A single 1080i field is actually 1920 x 540 resolution, run at 30 interleaved fields per second. Since they are interleaved, this means that vertical resolution is still 1080, just not at the same precise instant. The result is image shimmer, and can easily be demonstrated on a true 1080p LCD flat panel with a game like Ridge Racer. However, resolution is still higher than 720p. Good evidence of this is broadcast HD for CBS and NBC in the US vs ABC and FOX. Compare a basketball or football game on a true 1080 TV. No comparison. Way more detail in 1080i. However, my point earlier in the thread was that it would still be more beneficial (vs XMB access) to have an upscaling function in PS3 (although, agreed, upscaled 1080i isn't the same as true increased resolution -my point regarding Armored Core was that I don't believe the game code has any higher resolution on 360; only that 360 is upscaling it).

   Re: who? (Unregistered) - 2007-04-21
 » NO

I agree with damonous. Why would you want to take resources away from the game just to run the XMB? Don't you people have stereos or computers? If you want music, I'm sure your computer has music on it. As for me if I want music that isn't the game I will turn it on from somewhere else (eg iPod, stereo, laptop). I want the resources that PS3 has used for the games, not stupid crap I can do already get on my other computer(s). With that being said I hope I hope Sony doesn't do this, unless there's some way to keep all the resources intact for the game which is impossible.
   by Advertising -
   by Quixand - 2007-04-08
 » it would be good

if they could provide this... if they could make an update for this for the future then fine and if not it's ok... i could live with it.


   Re: Spooks (Unregistered) - 2007-04-10
 » .

I can't live with it! It really sucks. I wish I bought an XBOX 360 and 4 games with what I wasted on my POS3.
   by mentalboy11 (Unregistered) - 2007-04-08
 » HEY

LINK ME TO THE PETITION PLEASE!!!!! :)
this is the only thing that gets me mad is when im playing motorstorm and someone messages me to tell me that motorstorm is awesome and i just wasted a good race!


   Re: Remi M. (QJ. NET Staff) - 2007-04-08
 » link to the petition...

Click on the Via link which could be found below the article.

   Re: Mister Common Sense - 2007-04-09
 » Is blu ray doing well? Then sony doesn't care.

Get a message and lose your game? That's fu*ing halarious! "Hey this game's awesome! So awesome I just ruined it by messaging you ha ha ha!"

   Re: gheddoeninja - 2007-04-09
 » to mister common sense

he just means that he has to exit the game to see the message you f@cktard

   Re: PS3 fantard (Unregistered) - 2007-04-10
 » to gheddoeninja

and that's a good thing?
   by A PlayStation fan... (Unregistered) - 2007-04-08
 » ...

Can't believe that this feature is not available on day one. After all those advertisement about the Cell Processor being more smarter than us. That supposedly can do a lot of task simultaneously. That was all a joke. Now I kinda realize, The PS3 is not that powerful at all. The 360 can do like twice the multitasking the PS3 can offer. Heck, even the Wii can do custom sountrack on certain games.


   Re: El_Colombiano (Unregistered) - 2007-04-08
 » RE: ...

Yeah I know, the Cell is what makes the PS3 the most powerful console yet, but Sony isn't using it at all....sad really....Motorstorm is what keeps me happy right now...but I hate getting messages while playing it...

   Re: vincent (Unregistered) - 2007-04-08
 » well

Well the cell is more smarter than you... can you do 8 things at the same time? ;) imagine!!!! patting your head clockwise, rotating your hand counter-clockwise on your belly, eating a sandwich,drinking a beer, cussing at your wife, shaving,taking a piss and reloading your 9 caliber pistol ALL AT THE SAME TIME!

   Re: Advertising -


   Re: sasij (Unregistered) - 2007-04-08
 » not about the Cell

like everyone says, the power in Cell is there but the development is not up to par. They need to get the software straightened out for the XMB and it will do multi-tasking without a problem. You have only realized what poor software can do to a system with potential

   Re: weesed (Unregistered) - 2007-04-08
 » hmm

what you are claiming is not a realization but an assumption. unless you are a developer you probably dont know how weak or powerful the PS3 is.

   Re: mentalboy11 (Unregistered) - 2007-04-08
 » yeah

i was looking at the article from the main page and i didnt see the link there so i thought there was no link at all when in fact once i got into the article the link was there.
   by LOX760 (Unregistered) - 2007-04-08
 » finally

I have been waiting for something like this.I signed the petition because i really want to see this happen.I am tired of quitting the game just to read or send a message.

   by ksksksks (Unregistered) - 2007-04-08
 » xmb support is brutal

PSnetwork functions need to be added as well, such as an updated friends list, the ability to read and reply to messages (for all games, not just the ones that have it built in like nfs)

   by Exen (Unregistered) - 2007-04-08
 » Please Listen...

I hope sony listens to this, and according to the petition they even allocated memory for this to happen. The only logic i would see in them not including this feature is that the game would probably quit when you started to do something else like watch a movie or surf online, so why bother having that extra step. Custom soundtracks is a must though. That really should be integrated.

   by rumormill (Unregistered) - 2007-04-08
 » ok

according to a ps3 forums almost moderator, this feature will be out in 2.00. more is to be heard at E3, ill look for a link to the post. REMEMBER: THIS IS A RUMOR AND HAS NOT BEEN CONFIRMED!!!!!!111111oneoneeleven


   Re: rumormill (Unregistered) - 2007-04-08
 » here

http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.id+ps3+message.id+1356071#M1356071

i remain anonymous :)
   by robert (Unregistered) - 2007-04-08
 » heh my idea

I think u should be able to hit the ps button and the xmb will show up across the screen while in game an du can choose to listen to music and etc.Thatd be nice.


   Re: CHUCKINGROCKSATSPACESHIPS - 2007-04-08
 » Well

duh

   Re: Darth Manson - 2007-04-09
 » ???

I think u should be able to hit the ps button and the xmb will show up across the screen while in game an du can choose to listen to music and etc.Thatd be nice.

Yeah...just like the 360.
   by CHUCKINGROCKSATSPACESHIPS - 2007-04-08
 » What I Want To See

Frequent updates for flash support and wmv support at all.

   by uh (Unregistered) - 2007-04-09
 » question

If you wanted all the power and features of a 360 then why did you get a PS3?


   Re: bob (Unregistered) - 2007-04-09
 » ..

cos the PS3 has MORE power, and teh features should be out soon

   Re: Jettic (Unregistered) - 2007-04-09
 » ...

LMAO Xbot gettin PWNED!!

   Re: Mister Common Sense - 2007-04-09
 » They got the PS3 because they LOVE sony.

Yeah sony is really good about giving users what they want in PSP firmware updates too. Cough...
You want more security to protect sony and piracy, right?

It's amazing what they can do with all the PS3's untapped power. Cough Cough.... It only takes a year longer to get a game up to 360 specs.
   by _-_ (Unregistered) - 2007-04-09
 » Me personally...

I couldn't care less about this (XMB access while in-game). I also don't give a damn about talking to people cross game as the xbots like to brag about XBL.


   Re: AmericanNinja1 - 2007-04-09
 » I agree

I agree 100%. When I am playing a game I don't want to be interrupted by messages.
   by my name isn't important (Unregistered) - 2007-04-09
 » i live in australia

I voted twice! 1 with my real email and a fake one lol! Just imagine what the PS3 is capable of, even if it has a OLD GPU but who cares!

   by Rude Boi (Unregistered) - 2007-04-09
 » Playstation 3 needs you! VOTE NOW!

I hope Sony takes this serious.

I bought my PS3 on Europe release and i honestly thought the ps3 would come with all psp features as standard... i mean customizable backgrounds and wallpapers, rss channel, however, this can all be sorted with one update.

The Xbox 360's graphics look nice in games that have confined spaces, where as the ps3 keeps it's beautiful graphics running with amazing draw distance, and the graphics remain the same thoughout, unlike the xbox, where they just fade out or tone down.

I am not putting xbox 360 down, as i own all next gen consoles.

   by blahblah (Unregistered) - 2007-04-09
 » i wonder

Does anybody else wonder how old Mister Common Sense is? i mean he obviously hasn't reached puberty, so i think he is about 7.


   Re: Mister Common Sense - 2007-04-09
 » I wonder

how retarded you are. What's the minimum IQ level to post an insult on here vs. the minimum for mental retardation?

Good luck with puberty there junior. Have you figured masturbation out yet? You're going to be needing that a lot in your life.

   Re: dfsfsgg (Unregistered) - 2007-04-09
 » Yes

And once we get this feature, maybe Mr. Common Sense will finally STFU and go away.
Nah, then he wouldn't get his payoff from Microsoft anymore, so I guess that's wishful thinking on my part. Well, that's my guess as to why he takes the time to troll here on every PS3 article. OR...maybe he's just jealous he can't afford a PS3. One of the two, maybe both.

   Re: dfsfsgg (Unregistered) - 2007-04-09
 » PS

"Good luck with puberty there junior. Have you figured masturbation out yet? You're going to be needing that a lot in your life. "

Are you speaking from experience there, MCS? I ask myself, who has the time to post on every fracking ps3 post on QJ? Methinks a basement masturbator...sound like anyone you know MCS?

   Re: dfsfsgg (Unregistered) - 2007-04-10
 » also,

Just kidding, I'm trying to take attention away from my own troubles with women. I'm pretty bad at it. I might as well turn gay because I always knew I was different.....
   by aaquib (Unregistered) - 2007-04-09
 » I posted this

It's nice to see such a success with the petition, and I'd really like to thank QJ for posting this, because speaking to PS3 owners, this is a feature needed. We have over 500 signatures and accelarating. We NEED to get Sony's attention with this one, as it is a very neccessary feature.

   by jim bob (Unregistered) - 2007-04-09
 » please...

quit whining. you do realize that the ps3 has only been out for a few months right? everything will come it time, not because a bunch of people *****ed about it. i have been a playstation fan since the launch of the original and i still am. have faith, you 600 will not be for nothing. but if i had to venture a guess, it will be in october along with the home service.

   by james (Unregistered) - 2007-04-09
 » that and divx supporting

they need to get divx supporting, it suppose to be an entertainment system. they need to support all format of video playback and mp3.


   Re: fer (Unregistered) - 2007-04-18
 » DivX

Absolutely. The lack of XviD/DivX support is an embarassment and my biggest disappointment with my PS3. I find it annoying that I have to boot into Linux just to get what I initially assumed it could do out of the box. Sadly, even if and when they support DivX, there'll probably be some stupid restrictions on what you can view, making all of my legally archived video files still unplayable.
   by Adam (Unregistered) - 2007-04-09
 » Start small then work up...

I agree that the ps button functionallity isn't that useful right now and access to the XMB would be nice since you would be able to access the messaging system.

   by BObby (Unregistered) - 2007-04-09
 » LOL

Hey Ps3 Owners wanted to be more like Xbox 360 Owners. First we steal you exclusives and now you want to be more like us LMAO GREAT SUCCES!

   by shadysaiyan (Unregistered) - 2007-04-09
 » i remember

i'm pretty sure i remember seeing that guy bring up the XMB last year at E3 when he was playing Genji, I think this feature is going to happen anyway so i don't think a petition needs to be made, maybe a request though.

   by Voodoo (Unregistered) - 2007-04-09
 » Funny

Funny you guys don't have this seemingly simple and logical ability in your "true" next-gen system....he, he.

You guys for some reason find it humorous that we "xbots" pay $50 a year for XBOX Live...but I promise you, all flaming aside, it is infinately better than the PS3 wann-be-Live. $50 is free for what you get on Live.



   Re: ajjjd (Unregistered) - 2007-04-10
 » and..

after four years with it (not including games) it cost just as much as a ps3 while when we spend four years with ours not including games the we spent hmmm.. $600
   by Eragbai (Unregistered) - 2007-04-09
 » Hey...

Yes yes i agree completely .. it is something i am jealous that 360 owners have and it would be very very good for us PS3 owners to have it as well....

   by yea (Unregistered) - 2007-04-09
 » i

signed.. im number 870.... wowowwoow

   by common sence (Unregistered) - 2007-04-09
 » not the mentally torn mr common sence

wow I check the comments every so often here. And your having either some mental promlems right now huh? Play games and stop showing the rest of us how crazy you are,,,crazy people think that every one else is crzy, ya know ?

   by XBOX360 FANBOY (Unregistered) - 2007-04-09
 » power on from controller and a side note

what they need to do, is add a delay of a couple of seconds when turning on the ps3 w/the ps button....i keep freakin turning on the ps3 by accident when i pick up the controller....

on a side note man, you guys are all a bunch of babies...."o ps3 is more powerful", "xbox360 is better", "ps3 has better graphics", "xbox360 looks better w/ray tracing and double cel shading"....omg, give it a rest....on every single forum i go to, i always see this ridiculous bickering lol...to be honest, i'm starting to frequent forums for ps3 and 360 just to see what ridiculously retarded comments and arguments people make....honestly....wtf is the big deal? just *****in game.......lol what did sony and microsoft ever do for you all? why do all of you defend them and their respective system so passionately....instead of arguing with each other you all should be gaming......


   Re: Huleboeren (Unregistered) - 2007-04-09
 » Uhh

How often do you pick up the controller and not play the console? :S

   Re: yes (Unregistered) - 2007-04-09
 » completely right

true people who argue and bicker on here are quite sad, get one, the other or both, we dont care, what ever you like, god have you seen the MF on you tube arguing about this topic, most look like they havent got laid in years, speaking of that, gottta find my wife, brb :D

   Re: blahblah (Unregistered) - 2007-04-10
 » true

yeah MCS would probably be the biggest ***** here. its just people like him that get me pissed off to the extent that i need to argue.

   Re: Mr. Common Sense's apprentice (Unregistered) - 2007-04-10
 » .

Maybe MCS argues because lame ass fanboys steal his name when all he's trying to do is point out the PS3's many failures. You all do the same thing so STFU.
MCS will stop his bashing when you can stop yours. Maybe that's why he's still here.....
   by Re: XBOX360 FANBOY (Unregistered) - 2007-04-09
 » controller power on

"How often do you pick up the controller and not play the console? :S"

when i'm moving the controller out of the way

   by thenuttman (Unregistered) - 2007-04-09
 » More things to fix

And 20 some odd more things they need to fix: http://thenuttman.com/story.php?id=17


   Re: Darth Manson - 2007-04-09
 » ??

With so many thing to fix perhaps they should just start over...
   by Annony - 2007-04-09
 » Gah...

1 of those stupid Online Petitions actually gets a response (DMC4 Petition), and now every Joe Blow who has a hair in their ass about something starts a petition, too.


   Re: PS3 fantard (Unregistered) - 2007-04-10
 » agreed

Pretty sad that's the only way to get $ony to give gamers what they want.
But if somebody says the XBOX 360 does something better, they get attacked. Isn't that how you get them to give you something?
   by artman (Unregistered) - 2007-04-09
 » this is dumb~

stupid petition... who want to play and listen mp3 on background? what game r u playing in?? this is useless & dumb idea~
I prefer petition to be able play quicktime and divx



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