this is exactly the kind of update most of us really wanted. Not just more sexy videos (but who can deny they got the lotion out?).
Some thoughts about what we can see from these screenshots:
We can apparently now text message only 1 person or the entire room.
Room host is not listed at the top of the list. Could indicate that person in charge can be handed off, because the list isn't alpha-sorted.
Checkered Flag icon usually means "Start Race" in GT5. There doesn't appear to be an inter Enter Course button, so this checkered button must be to enter the course, which might confuse players who will accidentally click the next checkered flag they see upon entering the pits. In open lobbies it will likely still be grey for non-hosts, but in Private Lobbies confusion could ensue.
Watch Race. Can't tell more than just what it is.
Car Inspections??? That third button on the left seems to be something new, and being that it is separated from the rest of the menu, along with start and watch, probably indicates it has something to do with starting the race, which checking peoples' cars would fit with. That would be a very welcome addition.
Chat button. Self-explanatory. See comment #1.
People button? Is that to decide who you're going to chat with or maybe invite people more easily? Or maybe to boot people? Can't really tell much from the screenshot. It's too bad the little hint bubble didn't get captured with the cursor in this pic!
Save Replay and View Race Results appear to now be separate buttons.
Slider button - One can only guess, but it could be a place where ALL lounge settings are housed in one location, making it one stop insead of three, to set up a lobby. (actually, examining the 2nd screenshot makes me believe that's exactly what this is.)
Garage. Obviously.
Driver settings, probably what we've seen in the past. Aids and tires and such.
Tuning button. Can't wait to see what's under THAT hood
And a guy running away from the race. Button is now on the right like many GT menus.
Access to START button menu. This indicates that many of the game's functions will be available while in the lounge. Hopefully controller options can be changed while in the lounge.
Viewing the player's name and car simultaneously is now built in. A player's car appears blank until they've picked one.
It is not clear whether track conditions such as weather will be choosable for all tracks, or whether a default setting is just displayed for those tracks we cannot set it for. Actually 2nd screenshot proves this option is going to be available for Autumn Ring at the very least.
Time Trials, Drift Trials, and qualifying rounds !!!!
Create custom races and SAVE SETTINGS and share with others!!!!!
Left Pane - it is not clear whether this is being done prior to the st art of the lobby, or whether things like chat quality, # max players, etc. will be able to be changed during the session with participants already present. That would be really nice though.
This screen actually confirms that time change will be available for Autumn Ring and makes it more likely that all tracks will have the feature. Perhaps not full 24hr cycle, but time change nonetheless. (Progression x2 means there is time change)
Also confirms that Autumn ring will feature weather, otherwise it couldn't have a Good/Bad wether setting at around 50%. A track without the feature would have a Good setting only.
The L1 R1 button indication on the top of the screen lends us to believe that these two panes are only two of many. That bodes well for those of us who want a LOT of control over our lobbies.
Conclusion: Getting the lotion back out for a bit
