PlayStation 4 firmware update hits beta tomorrow, here's what to expect

[Shawn Knight]

Sony's PlayStation 4 is due for a major firmware update. Version 3.50 (codenamed Musashi), which enters beta status tomorrow, includes a number of noteworthy features that many would argue should have been added long ago.

When the update arrives, gamers will finally be able to receive notifications when friends come online. Speaking of online play, User Scheduled Events will let gamers set a date and time for a future play date. When the time comes, those signed up for the event will automatically be added to a party. Another feature called Play Together lets all members of a party see what each person is playing so they can either join in or start a new game.

Conversely, Sony will soon allow gamers to appear offline so they won't be bothered by others when trying to watch a movie or play a single-player title. If you've ever just wanted some alone time, you know how useful a feature like this truly is.

Sony is also bringing livestream support for Dailymotion to the PlayStation 4. The update will additionally support archiving live broadcasts as is offered with other streaming services.

Last but not least is the addition of Remote Play for PC and Mac. Unfortunately, Sony says the feature won't be available to test in the upcoming beta but should be available when the final version rolls out to all. No word yet on when exactly that'll happen.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/63959-playstation-4-firmware-update-hits-beta-tomorrow-here.html

 

[Hexic]

...so they're modernizing to the Xbox Live standards of 2005.

Wohoo!

 

[Adhmuz]

Too little too late Sony, these are things the console should have launched with, not take 2 years to patch in to the firmware. And yet this is still only in beta stage, pathetic comes to mind, especially the social aspect of the friends system, that was so messed up last I used it, which will likely have been the last time I ever use it.

 

[Edito]

...so they're modernizing to the Xbox Live standards of 2005.

Wohoo!

~
Lol, Sony=Amazing Games, Xbox invested on those features you are talking about and look where they are now, migrating the games to PC... Never is too late for a feature that more that 90% of PS4 install base demand.

 

[Hexic]

~
Lol, Sony=Amazing Games, Xbox invested on those features you are talking about and look where they are now, migrating the games to PC... Never is too late for a feature that more that 90% of PS4 install base demand.

Online platform features and games are two completely different things. XBox also has great games, Halo for just one example.. *cough*, and the reason they even CAN migrate games to the PC is because MS owns the PC market. An OS market that Sony has no chance of inhabiting in the near future. 'Amazing' games are also completely subjective, so none of those points hold any water...

 

[Panda218]

~
Lol, Sony=Amazing Games, Xbox invested on those features you are talking about and look where they are now, migrating the games to PC... Never is too late for a feature that more that 90% of PS4 install base demand.

Online platform features and games are two completely different things. XBox also has great games, Halo for just one example.. *cough*, and the reason they even CAN migrate games to the PC is because MS owns the PC market. An OS market that Sony has no chance of inhabiting in the near future. 'Amazing' games are also completely subjective, so none of those points hold any water...

You took the words right out of my mouth! Well said @Hexic

 

[davislane1]

Too little too late Sony, these are things the console should have launched with, not take 2 years to patch in to the firmware. And yet this is still only in beta stage, pathetic comes to mind, especially the social aspect of the friends system, that was so messed up last I used it, which will likely have been the last time I ever use it.

Seems you missed all of the sales figures.

 

[Technician]

Here's what to expect, Sony releases another OTA firmware for their latest toys. It's also crappy.
Next up, 'Sony launches OSS (OS Sony) and quickly grabs 1/1000,000,000,000 of a percent of the OS market share. Kazuo Hirai is the one guy running it.

 

[Adhmuz]

Seems you missed all of the sales figures.

Sales aren't everything, I rarely look at sales figures to determine if I will like something or not, let alone determine if it's a quality product or not. But I suppose some people automatically assume things are good because they sell well even if they have no experience with the product in the first place.

 

[davislane1]

I rarely look at sales figures to determine if I will like something or not, let alone determine if it's a quality product or not.

Your original comment spoke generally about the Playstation 4. When it comes to selling a product, sales is the only thing that matters.

 

[Technician]

Your original comment spoke generally about the Playstation 4. When it comes to selling a product, sales is the only thing that matters.

When selling it, it matters, when buying it, it's meaningless. (unless you are buying stock)

 

[Adhmuz]

Your original comment spoke generally about the Playstation 4. When it comes to selling a product, sales is the only thing that matters.

Never was I speaking of sales, just the fact the console took so long to become a usable device. I have no idea why you bring sales into my argument, because it was not there to begin with. Your commenting for the sake of commenting? Or just didn't understand, didn't read what I wrote originally. I was basing my comments on my own experiences, I can care less how many consoles Sony sells, it doesn't have any correlation with my experience on the device or the quality of the device in general.

The iPhone sells like hot cakes, doesn't mean I will enjoy using one, or make it a great device.

 

[Technician]

Never was I speaking of sales, just the fact the console took so long to become a usable device. I have no idea why you bring sales into my argument, because it was not there to begin with. Your commenting for the sake of commenting? Or just didn't understand, didn't read what I wrote originally. I was basing my comments on my own experiences, I can care less how many consoles Sony sells, it doesn't have any correlation with my experience on the device or the quality of the device in general.

The iPhone sells like hot cakes, doesn't mean I will enjoy using one, or make it a great device.

Actually the iPhone is a tiny fraction of smartphone sales. Android is the clearly dominant platform.