197w ago - Update: A second concept video has now been added below!

PlayStation 3 Firmware update 3.0 added large gray boxes (see the third picture below) around each individual user ID, making for a cluttered look that simply didn't jive with the elegance of the XMB.

SCEE's PS3 Brand Manager stated on the EU PlayStation.Blog that "updates to firmware don't always suit everyone's tastes."

Thankfully, the Friends list is something Sony is "looking into based on your comments." Mark Bowles added, "We really do appreciate the feedback you guys give us, both positive and negative."

That being said, YouTube user tubescorch has shared some of his own PlayStation 3 XMB ideas along with a video below.

To quote: "Since the recent firmware 3.0 update the PS3 XMB is taking a turn for the worse. Here a some ideas on how Sony could improve the XMB."

208w ago - Recently SKFU shared some details on a PC / PS3 Messenger project in development, and over the weekend he has also theorized on some other untapped potential via the PS3's XMB (Cross Media Bar) interface.

To quote: The XMB is a nice core for a lot of features but why are they not unlocked yet? To mention a few examples:

Selfmade Widgets
The PS3 uses a widget engine based on open source for the information board. So why not give us the ability to load our own homebrew widget's from external mediums or install them like themes? As they mostly use XML and flash files it wouldn't even compromise PS3's security.

Music Visualizations
The PSP has a lot of them, the PS3 only three. Next-Gen multimedia entertainment? Not really, yet.

Universal Messenger
The PSP can use Skype, why not the PS3? The PS3's messaging system is based on Jabber. It would be very simple to allow the PS3 to communicate with iCQ, Google Talk and other instant messenger protocols.

Open File Transfer
Why can we only send pictures with size limitation via the PSN while we would more like to send music files or savegames. If that uses to much ressources like traffic,...

302w ago - A new version of the Nintendo DS emulator iDeaS has been released:

Download: iDeaS 1.0.1.8

Here's the changelog:

* Added support for WiFi plugins.
* Added support for Hook plugins. (Video and Audio only)
* Added support for SSE extension.
* Added support for Expansion Ram.(Supercard)
* Added support for multisample.(OpenGL PlugIn,sorry but i haven't tested)
* Added support Async Operation.(OpenGL PlugIn)
* Added support fo MASTER_BRIGHT register.
* Fixed a bug in RSC and RSCS arm opcodes.
* Fixed a bug in Touch Position detect.
* Fixed some bugs in SaveStates management.
* Fixed some bugs in PlugIns management.
* Fixed bug in enable/disable alpha test.
* Fixed bug in textures with format == 0.
* Various speeds up.

...and other small improvements.

Audio Plugin 1.0.0.3

* Added Append option.(For slow computers)

WiFi Plugin 1.0.0.0

First release of this plugin, still unstable. I have tried the examples of the PALIB and they seem to work everybody.
For now it is everything.

* Emulated register 0x04800010,0x12,0x52,0x50,0x54,0x56,0xA0,0xA4,...