PlayStation 4 User Interface

We’re in PlayStation 4 limbo at the present. The console is approximately three months away, yet we’re still greedily awaiting more information about its software, features, and functionality. With platform holder Sony running a tight ship until GamesCom, that means that we’re being forced to feed on scraps – like this short, unintentional glimpse at the console’s user interface.

During a livestream of free-to-play first-person shooter Blacklight: Retribution, a PS4 development kit crashed, giving us an early look at the system’s interface in action. One thing to note is that while the software itself locked up, the console didn't need to be reset – it simply recovered at the menu screen.

The interface looks the same as in mock-up images that we’ve already seen. There’s profile information at the top, and a selection of boxes in the centre. There are icons for video editing, downloads, and the web – finally confirming that a browser will be included with the console – in addition to a main game hub.

Judging by the footage, you’ll need to be connected to the Internet in order to peruse details pertaining to the current title. In official interface screenshots, software information comprises shared media, add-on packs, and more. It’s unclear whether all of your applications will adopt this tiled approach – that could get messy if you have a lot of games.

It all looks snappy and responsive, though – even at this early stage. We’re especially fond of the PlayStation Store-esque sound effects which accompany button presses. What do you think of the interface so far? What do you want to know more about? As always, let us know in the comments section below.

[source youtube.com, via neogaf.com]