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Massive PS5 Firmware Adds Voice Chat for Discord, VRR at 1440p, and More

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Sony has just made the most recent PS5 system software update available.We are currently at version 23.01-07.00.00, if you’re keeping track of the version number. What does this 1.1GB upgrade actually do, though? It turns out to be quite a bit. The firmware, which has been in beta for some time and has recently undergone a number of quality-of-life improvements, has now been officially released.

The main event here is the integration of Discord, as was already indicated. Once your PSN and Discord accounts are linked, you can start a voice conversation on the latter and join it using your PS5. This is a simple way to speak with your friends, regardless of whether they have a PS5 or not.

Moreover, users of 1440p displays can now activate VRR to eliminate image choppiness. The number of hours spent playing a game, its overall percentage advancement, and a Friends Who Play tile that shows you who is currently online and playing games have all been added to the game hubs. To improve convenience, the Trophy activity card has been relocated and modified.

Also enhanced are the screen reader function, Game Base, and game library. Oh, and the DualSense, DualSense Edge, and PSVR2 Sense Controllers may also receive firmware updates. Speaking of which, you’ll be able to wirelessly upgrade the controller software as of this PS5 update. A preview for the US and UK adds commands for recording gameplay videos to the Voice Command feature.

See the complete list of patch notes below, then visit the PS Blog for a little additional information. Are you curious about the newest firmware features for the PS5? Comment below with your answer and let us know.

Principal components of this system software update

  • 1440p video output has been expanded on PS5.
    • VRR (variable refresh rate) is now supported for 1440p resolution.
    • More modes and HDMI devices are now supported. To check if your HDMI device supports this, go to Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output > Test 1440p Output.
  • Now, data can be moved between PS5 consoles.
    • You can quickly move all of your PS5 data to an additional PS5. Your data on your original PS5 is not deleted or altered throughout this process.
  • On your PS5, you may now take part in Discord voice chats..
    • Connect your PlayStation Network account to your Discord account. To start a Discord voice chat on PS5, use the Discord program on your smartphone or PC. You can share your online status and game activity with your Discord pals.
  • Voice Command now allows you to use your voice to preserve gameplay videos.
    • Say, “Hey PlayStation, capture that!” to save a video clip of your recent gaming. Based on your selections, the default saved duration is determined.
    • Also, you have the option to save your gameplay for up to 60 minutes. Say “Hello PlayStation, capture the previous 5 minutes,” for instance, to save 5 minutes.
    • Say “Hello, PlayStation, start recording” to manually start a new gameplay recording. After that, you can tell your PlayStation to stop recording in order to stop the recording and save the video.
    • Players having accounts for PlayStation Network in the US and UK can only access Voice Command (Preview) at the moment in English.
  • Other updated features
    • The following improvements have been made to the screen reader feature:
      • The screen reader now gives more detailed guidance when navigating the console. It will now tell you which direction you can move from the currently selected component, as well as your current position in a component with multiple items.
      • When using the screen reader in the web browser, you’ll now see borders around the section that’s being read aloud.
      • The screen reader was updated to correctly read aloud certain key terms.
    • The following features have been added to game hubs:
      • Every game will have a timer on the game hub tracking total time played.
      • Game progress will also be displayed for games that have a minimum number of story activities.
      • A Friends Who Play tile has been added.
        • You can see which of your friends own the game and who is currently online.
        • By selecting the tile, you can see what your friends are doing, and you can also access your friends’ profile where you’ll be given more interaction options.
      • The trophy tile has been moved and updated so it’s easier to access and displays your trophy progress.
      • Competitive multiplayer cards can be displayed full screen. By selecting Start Activity, you’ll be taken straight to that match. The prominent placement and size of the card makes it an easy option for multiplayer.
    • The following update has been made to the cross play feature:
      • In game session cards of cross play games, you can now see the members who are playing on other platforms.
    • The following features have been added to Game Base:
      • You can now send a Share Screen request or start sharing your screen with a friend, directly from their profile.
        • Select the Share Screen icon on your friend’s profile.
        • You can also send a Share Screen request to your friend from PlayStation App.
      • On the voice chat card, a joinable icon will be displayed for party members playing a game you can join. You can join the game directly by selecting the player and then selecting Join Game from the menu.
      • Friends that are active on PlayStation App will now show up as online on your friends list.
    • We made the following improvement in game library:
      • You can decide the default sort order for games within gamelists.
      • Use filters in your library to easily find PS VR- and PS VR2-compatible games.
    • The following settings have been added to game presets:
      • You can set your preferences to manage who can join and who can invite other players to multiplayer sessions you’ve created for supported games. Go to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Game Presets > Online Multiplayer Sessions, and select your preferences in Who Can Join and Who Can Invite.
    • When downloading or installing a game, the way your saved data is checked has been changed.
      • If it’s a PS4 game and you have no saved data in console storage, you’ll now be notified if PS4 saved data is available in cloud storage.
      • If it’s a PS5 game that can use PS4 saved data, and you have no saved data in console storage, you’ll now be notified if PS4 saved data is available in cloud storage.
      • To download your saved data from cloud storage, press the PS button to expand the notification and then select Download PS4 Saved Data.
    • You can now select which Media Gallery files to manually upload to Captures on PlayStation App. Existing content policies still apply.
    • The following changes have been made to the on-screen keyboard:
      • When you start entering characters, suggestions appear at the top of the on-screen keyboard. If you press the R1 button, instead of entering the first suggestion, you’ll now just select it. To enter the selected suggestion, press the X button.
      • If you see learned suggestions that you want the console to forget, you can delete them from the options menu.
      • (Only for Japanese keyboard) The suggestions that appear while entering characters are now shown in both half-width and full-width characters.
    • Unicode 15.0 emoji can now be displayed.
    • The time required for performing integrity checks on downloaded data has been greatly reduced. This process is done while the Copying… label is displayed on the downloaded item in the Downloads/Uploads control in the control centre.
    • The way installed games are started has been changed.
      • If your PS5 has the download version of a game that you haven’t purchased (such as those that other users on your PS5 have purchased), and if you have the disc version, you can now play the installed download version by inserting the disc (without installing the disc version).
      • Similarly, if you’ve installed a game using the disc, and you’ve purchased the download version of the game, you can now play the installed disc version of the game without inserting the disc.
    • The hint system has been expanded to display a list of objectives if the game provides them. Select any objective to see a more detailed video or text hint.
    • You can now view and manage your authorised apps in Settings.
      • Authorised apps are third-party apps and services that you’ve linked your account for PlayStation Network to. When using an authorised app, you give permission to share your account data with that app.
      • To view and manage your authorised apps, go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Authorised Apps.
    • We’ve updated the device software for DualSense wireless controller, DualSense Edge wireless controller and PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers.
      • The update will improve stability.
      • You can now update the DualSense wireless controller device software with a wireless connection.
        • If you have trouble updating the device software wirelessly, connect your controller to your PS5 using the USB cable to update it. You’ll be able to update wirelessly for the next update.
        • DualSense Edge wireless controller and PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers already support wireless updates for the device software. This update isn’t required for performing wireless updates for these controllers.
    • The following issues or problems have been resolved:
      • An error dialogue message that gave misleading information referring to parental control restrictions when using the web browser was fixed.
      • An update was made to address an issue causing some IPS LCD monitors to flicker when VRR (variable refresh rate) is turned on. This update may help solve this issue on these monitors.

As Editor here at GeekReply, I'm a big fan of all things Geeky. Most of my contributions to the site are technology related, but I'm also a big fan of video games. My genres of choice include RPGs, MMOs, Grand Strategy, and Simulation. If I'm not chasing after the latest gear on my MMO of choice, I'm here at GeekReply reporting on the latest in Geek culture.

Consoles

Despite popular belief, PS4 sales in the UK skyrocketed last year

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PS4 sales in the UK climbed by a shocking 633 percent year-over-year in 2023, so apparently the old system isn’t dead yet. The previous year’s very limited supply of the system is likely a major factor in this figure, since the console’s lifespan was drastically reduced because of chip shortages caused by the pandemic. Still, it’s proof that PlayStation’s original platform has unmet demand.

With the very low prices of PS4 software (both in-store and online at the PS Store), this strategy makes a lot of sense. Plus, it’s future-proof, so there’s no harm in stocking up on PS4s while new-gen pricing is still high, since if you decide to switch to a PS5 in the future, you can transfer all of your purchases across. Not to mention that the majority of new releases still come out on the PS4, with several offering free PS5 upgrades.

While the percentage rise may seem huge, real PS4 sales will probably be much lower. It’s a sign that the gadget, which is now a decade old, isn’t completely dead yet, and we expect it to keep receiving maintenance for a while longer. Of course, this is great news for Sony, because the company would rather have PS4 players playing on its last-gen gadget than none at all, even if it would love to have them upgrade to PS5.

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New PS5 firmware is available for download!

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A PS5 firmware update on a cold winter morning is unmatched. The latest PS5 system software update is 23.02–08.40.00 from Sony. Does this one add useful features or just boost system performance?

Though closer to the latter, it’s more than Sony’s favorite patch note. It fixes security issues, improves messages and usability, and boosts system software performance. Official patch notes for this 1.185GB update:

  • We updated system software security
  • We improved system software stability and performance
  • Some screens now have better messages and usability

That’s it. PS5 gets another win to recover from its midweek slump. Do you share our enthusiasm for this firmware update? Comment below. To spice things up, make your comment rhyme.

 

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Baldur’s Gate 3’s Xbox Version Will Help PS5

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Belgian developer Larian Studios’ work on Baldur’s Gate 3’s Xbox Series S version will improve performance on all platforms, including PS5. The game’s fifth major patch, expected to launch this week, will include upgrades and new features. More details will be revealed later today.

Director of Publishing Michael Douse says PS5 performance improvements may be the “least exciting thing” in the title’s next update, so it sounds like a big one. Larian Studios employees are proud of “finally” implementing tweaks, fixes, and changes, Douse says. Later today, we’ll bring you all the Baldur’s Gate 3 update details.

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Those who reached the RPG’s third act have reported technical issues during the narrative’s conclusion, especially in co-op, so today’s update should fix them. New features like a permadeath mode are expected, along with Xbox Series S optimization fixes. What else should be added to the game?

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