PlayStation Store getting a new look on April 15

[PS3 News]

Sony revealed today that they are sprucing up the PlayStation Store's graphical user interface. They plan to have it up when they release Gran Turismo 5 Prologue on April 15.

It is rumored that it will look a bit like the SingStore and navigation for the site will be via icons at the bottom of the store.

To quote: PlayStation Store Getting Overhauled In April
While Metal Gear Solid 4, DualShock 3 and God of War news may have dominated our Destination PlayStation coverage, one other interesting leak came out of the retailer conference.

According to sources there, the PlayStation Store is finally getting a graphical user interface overhaul, one planned to arrive alongside Gran Turismo 5 Prologue on April 15. The revamp of the PlayStation Store is said to give it a look more in tune with the SingStore, pictured above, which is already accessible from the PlayStation 3 version of SingStar.

Details were light on the change, but beyond a coat of paint, word was that navigation would change to a series of icons running along the bottom of the interface. We don't have official confirmation on this one yet, so consider it rumor for now. More...

[VendeTTaa]

It sounds like a step in the right direction, but if its still browser based its not going to be more than a prettier version of what we already have; a sluggish and archaic store backend.

I'm still wishing that with the release of home sony magically fixes the long load times on the store, incorporates imbedded friends lists, and adds a system akin to achievements. Of course magically is the key word here as even if sony do manage to pull their finger out and get some of these features going, its still going to be an ardurous series of incremental updates to get there. Because even if we recieve these updates over the course of six months, its not going to be anything to sit up and take notice of. Little fixes such as a new GUI for the store dont impress much. Whereas a few radical changes to how the network operates would be something substansial.