PS3 XMB user interface issues

[edepot]

This is just a small bit of interesting info. In the latest firmware (PS3 2.53) update, the XMB user interface for changing your wireless controller's number is kind of odd. As you know, no matter how many controllers you plug in, all of them can control the XMB at the same time. So if two or more people have controllers in their hands, all of them compete for control of the navigation. To change your controller number (you can assign a controller to use a number from 1 - 7) you would go into the "Reassign Controller" menu option under the "accessory settings". But here is the thing... the first controller to hit the "O" button when the "Reassign Controller" menu option is highlighted, the next screen will display the controller number for that controller. In that screen, all controllers can still press "X" to exit that screen, or "O" to confirm the setting. However, only the controller who first pressed that "O" button will get press the "UP" and "DOWN" buttons to change their controller number. The PS3 will ignore the "UP and DOWN" buttons from other controllers. So while other controllers can prevent you from changing it (by quickly hitting the "X" button to cancel out of that reassign controller screen), they can't change your assigned number unless they were the first one to press the "O" button when enter the reassign controller screen. Previously, you could press and hold the PS button to get to a screen allowing you to shut off the controller, shut down the ps3, or change your controller number. Now changing your controller number is done via navigating the XMB to that change option.
I found this interface a little odd, but it is interesting how they handle the multiple controllers issue, by only allowing the first person to press the "O" button ability to move their UP and DOWN buttons.