Here is some great news for gamers. Sony has announced an array of updates for the PS5 that are currently being made available in Beta form. PS5 beta access will be available to selected participants in the U.S., Canada, Japan, U.K., Germany, and France.
After the Beta group finishes running the updates through their paces, Sony will roll out the new features to all PS5 users after the final changes have been made.
Here are some of the highlights of the Beta release.
New Accessibility Features
Use a Second Controller: Users can assign a second controller to one account as an assist controller. This means that two controllers can be used to operate a PS5 console as if they were a single controller. This allows users to enjoy games collaboratively with others or help a friend or child navigate a difficult game section. An assist controller can be used when the main controller is a DualSense or DualSense Edge wireless controller, or a PS5-supported third-party controller.
Tip: A DualSense Edge wireless controller can’t be used as an assist controller. Some of the DualSense features, such as motion sensor, haptic feedback, and adaptive triggers, will be automatically turned off when the controller is being used as an assist controller.
System UI Haptic Feedback: PS5 users are provided the option to turn on haptic feedback effects while navigating a PS5 with a DualSense controller, DualSense Edge controller, or PS VR2 Sense controller.
When this feature is activated, system sound effects for select events will also be reflected physically through haptics, such as:
- Moving focus
- Reaching the end limit of a scrollable section
- Checking a box
- When receiving a notification
- Boot up a game.
The haptic feature enhances immersion and is also useful for players with sight or hearing disability, who appreciate the additional feedback on their inputs.
Audio Enhancement
Dolby Atmos: Support for compatible Dolby Atmos-enabled audio devices 3D Audio powered by Tempest 3D AudioTech can now be enjoyed by those who own compatible Dolby Atmos-enabled HDMI devices such as soundbars, TVs or home theater systems. Tempest 3D AudioTech specifically renders to the Dolby Atmos audio devices in use – including overhead channels – allowing for even greater levels of immersion in the audioscapes of PS5 games.
Tip: Media app providers can update their apps on the PS5 to support Dolby Atmos audio, giving users another way to experience immersive audio in movies, TV shows, and more in the future (these app updates are not currently supported in the PS5 beta.)
Social Feature Enhancements
Party UI update: You can now invite a player into a closed party without automatically adding the player to the group or creating a new group. Additionally, players can now send open or closed-party invitations to groups instead of only individual players.
Share Screen Preview: When someone’s sharing their screen at a party that you can join, you’ll now see a preview image of their Share Screen, even before entering the party.
Game Hub Tournaments Tile: In the game hub, users can see how many tournaments they’ve entered and the highest place they have achieved, as well as the start time for the next tournament. The user can select the tile to see the full tournament list.
React To Messages with Emojis: Users can add reactions to messages with emojis, which makes communicating with friends quicker and easier.
Ease-of-Use Features
Search For Games in Library: Users can now search for games within your game library.
Game Help Improvements: Game Help cards have been improved. A PlayStation Plus subscription is required to use Game Help.
- In addition to in-progress activities, users can see available, previously available, upcoming, and completed activities.
- When a card is selected, its details are now displayed on the right side of the card, making it easier to find objectives and their corresponding hints.
Discover New Features: Browse useful tips for getting the most out of your PS5 and learn about new features in the new Discover Tips section.
Mute PS5 Beep Sound: Users can now mute or adjust the volume of the PS5’s beep sound when turning it on or off, or putting it in rest mode.
Larger-Capacity M.2 SSD Support: Users can add M.2 SSDs with a maximum capacity of 8TB (up from the previous 4TB limit) to expand storage space. Refer to Sony’s PS5 SSD requirements.
More Details
To dig deeper into the above new features and how to access them, refer to Sony’s announcement in the PlayStation Blog.
Where to buy: Sony’s PS5 Console is $499 at Amazon.
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