PS4 shows off social-centric user interface

Sony today released a video that shows the cool and very social-centric PlayStation 4 user interface (UI) in action. Three actors who act nothing like gamers would in real life, demo the instant sharing features of the Japanese tech giant’s upcoming next-gen console such as liking a post on their PS4’s newsfeed, sharing a video and instant messaging. It’s also heavily cheesy, especially “Will’s” all-knowing grin at the end of the video.

The video makes the PS4 look like fantastic fun, if you have 10MB/s uncapped internet that is. All the technologies on display in the video will chew through bandwidth like a hungry Honey Boo Boo. Despite this first-world problem, the PS4’s interface looks fantastic. Of note is section of the video where “Will” is asked by “Brian” (via Bluetooth headset) to join his game of Killzone. “Will”, after casually flirting with “Sarah” starts his download of Killzone and is presented with two options: download the multiplayer component first to get right into the game, or download Killzone single player in its entirety.

For Sony (and hopefully Microsoft) to offer this option is nothing short of fantastic. Those with limited bandwidth can now get their multiplayer kicks without having to exceed their allocated bandwidth. It’s also the smartest way of gaining new customers and converting older ones into digital downloaders.

The PS4 newsfeed smartly recaps friends achievements and activities. “Sarah Greene unlocked a platinum trophy” we see on “Will’s” feed. Xbox and PS both offer these on the current-fen consoles, but the sharing feature is a little fiddly on both. Content sharing is now so deeply integrated into both consoles that we kind of expect to see that little Like button next to our statuses.

Then, when “Will” is stuck in upcoming PS4 exclusive Knack, he views “Sarah’s” video, gets the info he needs and swaps back to his game instantly. “Will” then tries to enjoy Killzone with “Brian” who again, instantly shares a video that teaches “Will” how to shoot virtual people in the face.

“Will” and “Sarah” then chat aimlessly until Killzone is finished downloading. The new instant messaging component for PS4 looks seamless enough, and the onscreen keyboard “Will” used to chat seemed to spookily predict every word before he said it. How Sony has pulled off this trick is anyone’s guess. The video ends with “Will” being asked to join “Sarah’s” clan. It’s unknown how the clan system will work on PS4, but given the cool new social sharing of the PS4, it should be a snap.

Only one question remains: How does “Will”, a slacker hippy who lives in his parent’s garage afford a US$400 PS4?