Sony unveils first major update for PlayStation 5

[David Matthews]

What just happened? This is the PlayStation 5's first big update since its launch in November. The biggest new feature is external drive support (though for storage, not playing games). It should be a welcome update for those struggling with storage space. Overall, the update seems to be geared towards greater interoperability between PS4 and PS5 gamers.

Five months after its initial release, the PlayStation 5 is getting its first major update. Sony outlined the details in a recent blog post, and includes updates to storage options and more social and personalization control.

Probably the most welcome new feature will be the ability to store PS5 games on external USB drives. Before, external storage could only be used for PS4 games, with newer PS5 titles required to use the built-in SSD. Sony recommends transferring PS5 games to external drives in lieu of re-downloading or copying from the disk. That said, this is only meant for storage when not gaming. PS5 games still have to be transferred to the internal SSD to play them.

The new update also brings new social features to the PS5. Both PS4 and PS5 players will be able to use Share Play while in parties. This allows players to share their screen to people in the party or even have someone try out a game or play a level as you.

You'll also be able to see joinable games for both PS4 and PS5 consoles with a helpful "Request to Join" option to speed things along.

The first major system software update for the PS5 arrives tomorrow.

Learn about storing PS5 games on USB extended storage, sharing gameplay across PS5 and PS4 consoles, and more: https://t.co/hYwb9B3d4E pic.twitter.com/Y2E9lgfKGQ

— PlayStation (@PlayStation) April 13, 2021

Sony has added new "enhanced control" and personalization options for PS5 players. Some of these options include setting screen magnification, searching your game library, and quickly disabling or modifying the in-game chat volume of yourself and other players in the same chat. Games will also be able to automatically download updates assuming the "automatic updates" setting is enabled and supported by the developer. That should prevent annoying update notifications when trying to play through a quick match.

Finally, the PlayStation app is getting a few new features. The company added useful tools like saving games to your wishlist, friend notifications, and the ability to change your online status. Upcoming features will include being able to join multiplayer sessions on the PS5 from the app and manage PS5 storage.

The new PS5 update should roll out globally on April 14th.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/89285-sony-unveils-first-major-update-playstation-5.html

 

[Dimitriid]

It does looks like PS5 units are starting to be purchaseable in the wild now but Microsoft seems to be trusting the Series S a bit much as the Series X it's still very difficult to find in the places I've seen.

 

[QuantumPhysics]

The first "major update", needs to be AVAILABILITY.

These things are still selling well over $1000 on Ebay and a large potential consumer base still doesn't have one. I was fortunate enough to get mine and my cousin's.

 

[Bl00dyMinded]

Yeah im not going to be transferring games back and forward between storage. Stop wasting my time and enable the built in feature already to put another ssd.

 

[R00sT3R]

Still no VRR support?

 

[bviktor]

I'll get one when the TLOU PS5 remaster is ready.

 

[Lounds]

It does looks like PS5 units are starting to be purchaseable in the wild now but Microsoft seems to be trusting the Series S a bit much as the Series X it's still very difficult to find in the places I've seen.

So much stock of the Series S in the UK. Loads of deals with 2 controllers when game pass is bought as well. Clearly Microsoft is all about getting subs for game pass.

 

[Neatfeatguy]

So much stock of the Series S in the UK. Loads of deals with 2 controllers when game pass is bought as well. Clearly Microsoft is all about getting subs for game pass.

My understanding is you need a valid CC tied your game pass account to have it be valid, even if you pay for the game pass in another method.

Once a person has an active CC tied to their account, they're more likely to actually buy something just because of the easy convenience that your CC is right there, saved and ready to be used. Or, they might forget they have a reoccurring payment setup for the game pass when they don't even use it.

A lot of places like doing business like that, folks leave their accounts active with a CC tied to it so they can just bill them every month, even if they person doesn't use the service anymore. It's just free money in their coffers while customers forget about it and just make payments on their CCs. You'd be surprised that some people probably have some kind of active payment happening on things they haven't used in months, sometimes years because they forget to actually cancel the account to stop payments from auto withdrawing.

 

[Aircooler]

Stop buiten until the price is right!

 

[NumberSix]

What a shame charging support for the DS5 via a PD charger wasn't added in the update.