Sony XMB

The set top box is an odd device. Its not a mobile device, nor does it have the power of a PC. When designing a new interface for it, its not always clear which path it could follow in terms of copying technology and learning from those two worlds. One additional possible source of inspiration might be consoles. The Sony XMB (cross media bar) is a UI design (seen above) that is meant to work on a range of devices. It works on both consoles and TVs currently.

The XMB is a mainly 2D interface, a cross of icons with associated text. The user moves both horizontally and vertically and can see at all times, the complete menu path taken to reach the current choice. Text is only displayed where it could affect the users decision making process (ie its contextual) keeping the screen free of clutter. The focus moves but slowly and never far - rather icons scroll underneath the users focus. Unavailable options are faded out. Leaf menus may be displayed in almost any fashion and differently on different devices, the XMB is mainly a way to navigate the menu structure. The mainly 2D approach does not demand advanced 3D hardware. Users note that it elegant and fast. Here is an example on a TV set:



There are many great subtle features such as the way the bars cross each other and icons skip a space to appear on the other side of the bar and yet the user hardly notices. The animation itself with rapid acceleration and deceleration feels almost alive when navigating. Many of the subtle features work only because the interface renders at 50 or 60 frames per second. Such animations cant work at 10-20fps. Rendering speed matters.

Yet, this generic, works-anywhere approach suffers from lowest common denominator problems. Even many Sony Playstation fans complained that the Xbox had a more media oriented approach that simply looked better. Add to that the fact the icons were very small and barely visible on anything but a large screen TV and SONY had problems.

They responded and through firmware updates, upgraded the initial interface substantially over time. The new version 3.0 was released recently:



So SONY listen and adapt. User interfaces are updated after delivery to the users. Media richness is an important feature. 3D per se, is not, it would seem. Performance allows for subtle animations that brings the interface to life.