14 DAY TRIAL // All the current gen consoles are making a lot of noise trying to position themselves as being multimedia centers in addition to being platforms on which videogames can be played. And as part of this multimedia appeal, both the PlayStation 3 from Sony and the Nintendo Wii are offering users the possibility to use a web browser in order to access the Internet. Of course, it seems that PlayStation 3 users are using it more than others, as we recently reported.
So, it's a good thing for all the users of the above consoles that YouTube is enlarging its accessibility for console based browsers. It's hard to maneuver around an interface when you have to use a console controller, be it the Wiimote or the DualShock, so the people at YouTube redesigned the interface and launched a new beta version especially for console users - it is accessible on www.youtube.com/tv.
At the moment, the link can only be used through the browser of the PlayStation 3 or Nintendo Wii, so don't be surprised if it doesn't work from your PC or Mac. The PlayStation Blog also mentions that Sony is continuing to work with the people at YouTube to make the experience better and the usability higher.
Unfortunately, those players who have an Xbox 360 from Microsoft cannot use the new site because the game console lacks a proper web browser and the manufacturer does not seem inclined to be adding one any time soon, preferring to offer video content to users via the Xbox Live services and through Netflix. This basically means that Xbox users need to run to a PC to see the best YouTube has to offer in ways to fold a T-shirt in less than 10 seconds.
Here's a video of the console specific interface in action: