PS5's First Major Update is Live
PlayStation 5 receive its first major software update today. On the occasion, Sony announced new features for the dedicated mobile app.
Update:
As announced, the PS5 update marked 21.01-03.00.00.38 is now available for download. You'll need to download about 900 MB of files to enjoy the new version of the system.
Original message:
- Sony released details of the first major software update for PlayStation 5, which will be available to download from tomorrow;
- Changes include: easier management of PS5's storage, the addition of new social features, and the ability to personalize the chat and game library;
- We also learned about features that will soon be available in the PlayStation mobile app, including the ability to join multiplayer matches.
Sony announced that the first major software update for PlayStation 5 will be available tomorrow, with new features including the ability to store PS5 games on USB drives, the option to share PS4 and PS5 titles, and an improved game library. We've also learned that the console's dedicated mobile app will soon include new features, enabling us to join multiplayer sessions and compare trophies with friends.
These new features may not seem like much, but they're certainly something many gamers have been waiting for. Therefore, to make it easier to find the information that may particularly interest you, we described the various changes separately. Let us know what you think.
PS5 storage expanded and easier to manage
Starting tomorrow, PS5 games that we don't currently play but want to keep installed can be moved from the console's internal storage to compatible external USB drives. Running them will not be possible in that form - in contrast to the titles from PS4, in which case it is possible - but Sony declares that copying files will take much less time than downloading them again. The manufacturer has already announced the feature around the time of the console's launch - explaining its limitations with the fact that the titles designed for PS5 require the console's "ultra-fast drive", making it impossible to launch them from external memory, or even download games directly to it.
Source: Sony.
Unfortunately, we can't use just any drive to play with files - Sony is still working on expanding the list of supported devices to include M.2 SSDs (more about compatible devices here). As a consolation, I'll add that when moving files back to the internal memory, our game will automatically update itself. We'll be able to choose whether we want to have access to the entire game or only to single or multiplayer mode.
New community features on PS4 and PS5
Source: Sony.
Also the Share Play feature was expanded. It enables PS4 and PS5 users to chat whe playing and share the game. We will share our screen with friends over the web, hand over the virtual controller, and join them in co-op. Multiplayer games of other players which we can participate in will be listed on both PS5 and PS4, and our only task will be to send a request to join. Provided, of course, that the person in question enables us to play together.
Improved control and customisation options for PS5
The new update will also bring changes to layout and readability of game home screens. Menus will now provide quicker access to important content and features, enabling us to switch between groups and friends. We can now adjust the volume of our conversations with friends to suit our preferences or mute them completely. There will also be an option to enable or disable notifications for each game.
Changes will also affect the way installed titles are updated. New patches will be available for pre-download - unless the developers decide otherwise - which, if we allow it, will begin automatically when we turn on our console or when it is in standby mode.
We'll also be able to personalize the view of our game library, adjust the screen magnification to suit our needs, and - a useful feature for achievement enthusiasts - determine which trophies we want to save images or videos for (e.g. only after completing Gold and Platinum challenges). There's also a new stats screen, where we can view the achievements we've earned and easily compare them with our friends.
New features for the PlayStation app
Source: Sony.
On the occasion of the update, Sony also announced a number of features that will soon be added to the PlayStation app for Android and iOS devices. In the coming weeks, we expect to see the ability to join multiplayer games from within the app (PS5 only), remotely manage our console's memory, compare trophy collections with friends, and sort and filter games displayed on PlayStation Store.
