Unified UI previews the future of Samsung hardware

If Samsung devices are your preferred flavor, get very familiar with the interface pictured above. Eased in amongst product announcements during today's CES keynote is the news that all their devices -- camcorders, HDTVs, digital cameras, PMPs and all -- will be sharing this style going forward. Seeming to follow the example set by Sony's XMB, and hopefully adding momentum to a trend others will continue, the idea is that users pick it up on one device, and can carry that experience to future purchases without a sharp learning curve. As much as we enjoy figuring out where the contrast setting is for the 20th time, early adopters have more than enough options to memorize. Of course, unified doesn't mean static, and this interface should be plenty customizable. Word is that consumers' first look at the new UI is via Samsung's new digital camera lineup, but other details are few and far between.

[ZSX @ Jan 8th 2009 9:24AM]

It will be interesting to see how this is implemented. I am not convinced of having the same UI spanning devices ranging from huge TVs to tiny cameras, and I do think that the device size should drive the UI, and not the other way around. Even the advantage of familiarity with the interface is lost unless you buy completely into the Samsung ecosystem.

[stefan @ Jan 8th 2009 9:51AM]

As it seems the interface is tree-based. thing with these is that the more complex the device - the deeper the tree. Of course it remains usable with just four buttons (up, down, in, out) but complex tasks tend to get lengthy.

[electron @ Jan 8th 2009 9:30AM]

but thats not the UI the P3 has... (I watched the vids) (can somebody help me out here....)

[Jon @ Jan 8th 2009 9:32AM]

Apple has the same style interface with all their toys, I doubt this idea is a bad one for Samsung.

[JerkfacedFed @ Jan 8th 2009 9:48AM]

um no they dont. ipod iphone mac osx apple tv all have different interfaces dumbass

[Jakob @ Jan 8th 2009 10:04AM]

You're right jerk face :D

[Michael @ Jan 8th 2009 10:34AM]

*Agrees with Jerkface* despite him being a tad rude (there wasn't much need for the dumbass comment :) now was there...)

Apple don't really have a unified GUI, they have a style that they stick to, and everything just happens to be kind of similar, but the iphone/ipod touch GUI isint the same as that of the mac, nor is the Ipod classic style even the same as the iphone (theres similar aspects... but its not the same UI)

[poisonborz @ Jan 8th 2009 9:37AM]

Manufacturers, adopt this idea already - it's great, and the first who did it was Sony. Besides sinking learning curves, it's cool for brand recognition. It's great to see the same icons on a low-end cellphone (at least in media viewer) as in the PSP.

[absinthe party @ Jan 8th 2009 9:39AM]

Haha, say "Uni UI" out loud.

[absinthe party @ Jan 8th 2009 10:25AM]

Err, nevermind. Now that I've had enough coffee to wake up, it's not really that amusing.

[Ethan @ Jan 8th 2009 9:41AM]

I don't think the same interface on every device makes a great deal of sense. For instance, I think having the XMB on Sony's new notebook makes no sense when you've got the nubbin, which should allow for a UI with greater flexibility.

And on a TV it makes sense to have something rather simple. But on a camcorder I'd think the emphasis should be on something that once acclimatised to provides really fast operation.

What I think is important though, is a consistent design language between the devices.

[CosterMonger @ Jan 8th 2009 9:47AM]

I prefer the PIPBOY UI the most

[Kspraydad @ Jan 8th 2009 9:57AM]

I hope Samsung's Fridges and Washing Machines adopt this.

[Mohammed Iqbal @ Jan 8th 2009 12:13PM]

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[Philip @ Jan 8th 2009 1:36PM]

I think this is a great way to increase brand loyalty. That is if it works well.