Summary
- Sony's new beta update for the PS5 introduces a range of helpful features, including increased storage capacity for solid state drives and the ability to connect a second controller for assistance during gameplay.
- The update also focuses on accessibility, with new features such as haptic feedback for the system's menus, catering to gamers with hearing or sight disabilities.
- Social media enhancements, such as emoji reactions and improved party features, are also included in the update, along with ease-of-use features like a search function in the game library and tutorials for various console functions.
A new beta for the PlayStation 5 is testing a variety of major helpful features in development for the console, including accessibility and audio improvements among others. Since the Sony console's highly-anticipated launch in late 2020, the hardware juggernaut has continued to push new improvements for it. Updates to the console have added plenty of new features for players to enhance their gaming experience, including the addition of Discord voice chat and voice commands among others. Now, a new update would look to provide numerous helpful changes.
The newest update to the PS5's firmware beta has already made waves within the PlayStation community for one major change to hit the beta. The update is set to improve the console's storage capacity for solid state drives installed by players, reportedly doubling the available storage space from 4 GB to 8 GB. Players have long been calling for an increase to the storage space allotted by SSDs, especially with the growing size of many popular games. Now, the new update also introduces several helpful features for players to try out.
The newest PS5 beta comes with a variety of updates to the console's firmware with a focus on accessibility, audio options, and social media functions. The beta patch adds the ability for players to use two controllers to operate the console, allowing for different ways to play with friends or "help a child" complete difficult parts of games. The PS5 update also introduces haptic feedback for the system's menus, giving vibration feedback for moving between different options. Sony cites the feature as being particular for gamers suffering from "hearing or sight disabilities."
PS5 Beta Update for July 2023
New Accessibility Features
- Second Controller for Assistance: Players can now connect a second controller to one account as an assist controller.
- System UI Haptic Feedback: Adds haptic feedback effects while navigating PS5 menus with official controllers.
Support for Compatible Dolby Atmos-enabled Devices
- 3D Audio: Adds support for 3D Audio powered by TempestTech for Dolby Atmos devices.
Social Feature Enhancements
- Party UI Update: Players can add others to closed parties without adding them to a group.
- Share Screen Preview: Players can now see a preview of others within a party sharing their screens.
- Join Friends' Games Easily: Players can see which friends are playing joinable games through the Friends tab and join through their Profile card.
- Game Hub Tournaments Title: Players can now see their tournaments entered, tournaments won, and next tournament times through the Games Hub.
- Emoji Reactions: Players can now react to chat messages with emojis.
Ease-of-Use Features
- Game Library Search: Players can now use the search function within their Game Library.
- Game Help Cards: Game Help cards now show available, previously available, upcoming, and completed activities, as well as greater details for Help cards.
- Discover New Features: Sony has added new tutorials for various console functions.
- Mute PS5 Beep Sound: Players can now adjust the volume of the PS5's start-up sound.
Support for larger capacity M.2 SSDs
- The PS5 now supports M.2 SSDs with capacities up to 8 TB.
Alongside the accessibility updates, Sony's newest update adds support for Dolby Atmos-enabled HD devices, allowing players to fully maximize their soundbar or home theater experience. Social media features take a focus as well with the new update adding emoji reactions in its messaging system, previews of screen sharing, and updates to the console's Party UI. Other smaller features include a search function within the game library and improvements to the console's help systems.
Many of the newest PS5 features with the update come as Sony has continued to push accessibility within both its consoles and games. Sony is set to release its PS5 Access controller later this year, featuring interchangeable buttons and a unique design intended to be easier to use for players with disabilities. Many of Sony's biggest games also feature a suite of accessibility options, with games like The Last of Us Part 2 and God of War Ragnarok winning awards for their accessibility features. Sony's newest firmware update comes jam-packed with plenty of new additions to gaming on PS5 even easier.
Source: PlayStation Blog