The search functionality on the PlayStation Store is terrible, and it has been since the PlayStation 4 launched almost five years ago. Now, we're not saying it's unusable, but it's a system that's baffled us ever since it was introduced. Instead of having a simple on-screen keyboard, the current user interface presents you with lists of letters that you select one by one until the thing that you're looking for pops up on the right hand side of the screen. It's needlessly slow and, frankly, stupid.
Thankfully, it looks like PlayStation 4 firmware update 6.0, which is currently in beta testing, will finally let you search for things with an on-screen keyboard. Kyoufu over on ResetEra has posted screenshots to prove it. The search results screen actually gives you information about each product, too.
Are you over the moon to see this change implemented? Hit up the PlayStation Store and say goodbye to that crap in the comments section below.
[source resetera.com]
Comments 37
PRAISE THE LOOOOOOORD
Holy ****.
We've finally remember this system has an on screen keyboard?!
Does it also let you filter through the long list of avatars, movies, shows, microtransactions, themes, bundles and games it gives you too?
of all the other and actually good looking games they could have typed in,it had to be anthem huh?
sorry could not resist.
@LaNooch1978 A UI with logical design features that were standard from even the Wii?
We've finally progressed to 2006! They finally fired all the interns who did this!
@Knuckles-Fajita About bloody time they got those interns out.
I never really use the store on console and, if I want to use the store, I find it much easier to use the website instead. The only time I go to the store is once a month for the PS+ games. That being said, this is certainly a quality of life improvement...
@ShogunRok
@jdv95 The kid just wanted to listen to that Good Charlotte classic. Please understand. YOOOOOUUUU! I WANNA BE JUST LIKE YOU!
Finally
Didn't see anything wrong with the original.
By the way, I think the non-on screen keyboard was fine. It even helped which letters to use, and could understand abbreviations.
The bigger problem was a lack of filtering, sorting, information and products with non-logical names. For instance, there is no information on price in this search bar, no way to see what is DLC or a full game. That's even a step back from the original, that at least had a way to distinguish between full games and other content.
I will use the PS store on my console even less now. :')
@Kidfried They need to let youfilter out every that isnt a game. Currently it shows movies, avatars, add ons, themes...in one loooooong list.
This store is just an objective downgrade
It's a nice change but I always use the browser version of the store.
@Feena I use PS Prices to browse the store.
Yes! I use the console store on occasion, so this is awesome. I can’t believe it took them this long. The motion tracking and trackpad make the DS4 the easiest controller to type on I’ve ever seen to, so we can finally use that!
Please also let this change it for PS3 I really wish they would just go back to the original PS3 store they had at launch, in fact I wish they would update it it's been months since I've seen Ronaldo face on there "MONTHS I TELL YOU". They could just update it with new deals I know PS3 is dead now but it's what annoys me about Sony it's last gen focus on PS4 I know it's business but at least do something with it. But as for the update I also hope it makes the system faster because it needs a boost it's getting seriously slow and I can make it hang a lot because it requires so much info from the main server for info. I also find myself using the store via the website because it's faster and I can send it to download If i buy something
About time, this was one of the stupider aspects of the PS Store, and always drove me insane when I needed to search for a game.
I was new to PS3/PS4 at the start of this year, and frankly I never realised this was such an issue for people. I actually thought it was good. I can certainly use it faster than an on screen keyboard with a joypad, especially how it removes letters that you can’t use as you type more of the search terms.
My main issue with the search is that when you search for a game, it can bring up 100’s of different results, especially where they have lots of cr*p associated with them like avatars. Also, for PS3 and the website store, it’s impossible to only search for PS1 or PS2 games, so unless you know exactly the game you want, you can’t just browse all PS1/PS2 games.
About time, the ps store has always been crap, I remember not even being able to use it regularly on the Ps3 because it was so laggy.
The only think good about the old system is when I couldn't spell a game, like a Japanese game, it made it easy. But other than that minor convenience, it was utter trash.
On screen keyboard will be slower, but results details will be better
I don't know how they ever thought the previous search function was a good idea.
Looking forward for more convenient and efficient interface.
Also need custom music for theme.
Include custom theme icons (shapes, colors and even with opacity).
Etc
@Sevenifity
yeah I was kinda let-down when the theme for the Street Fighter Anniversary didn't come with a nice Street Fighter BGM. Since I don't use themes that often, I was kinda surprised. The 3DS not only does music, but sound effects too. What's odd is that my Persona 5 theme DID come with music, so the option to put in our own custom music would be really nice for those that don't already come with music.
I didn't mind the old design. It's not like I'm browsing the store on a daily basis anyway.
I quite like the current design. It only allows you to select the next letter in sequence if it appears in something they've got, so can narrow your search parameters in a useful way (no point typing "Zyfgh" by accident, or going on a wild goose chase if your spelling ain't up to much).
I also like having the long list of games, add-ons and movies; if I'm searching for something from a particular multimedia franchise, it's nice to see what all my options are.
That being said, everybody understands what a keyboard is, even an on-screen digital one, and I'm quite the typing whizz with my DualShock4 thanks to Communities, so I don't think this is making anything better or worse, really. Change for the sake of change or, in other words, welcome to modern technology.
Finally.
The old way was so bleh
Yay, that's a bit better than the horrible mess it was before.
@Knuckles-Fajita Do I really have to remind you about the community rules :/
May the Thunderbolts of Zeus be thrown with ecstasy!
All I want is to be able to change my PSN username. All other features can wait.
A small but very welcome change.
Are you serious? This is the best news EVER!!!!!
Who the hell thought the previous search function was a good idea anyway?
Lol I personally never found the previous search function THAT bad, it was tolerable since the matching results were generally pretty accurate. With that said though this is definitely way better. Hopefully there are some other quality of life improvements as well in this update such as Username change, game gifting etc...
Even when searching for something you know is stupid. Try searching racing games on web. Burnout doesn't show. NFS rivals often doesn't show. MXGP and Moto GP MIA. Lots of games don't come up in every category unless searched for specifically. STUPID THINGS.
Hopefully the cart will transfer between PC/PS4/mobile versions now. But I'm not hopeful.
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