Updates are a part of modern life. Whether you’re talking about a PC, a tablet, or a console, the software occasionally needs a refresh to fix bugs, boost functionality, and maybe even add a few features for which owners have been salivating. Sony provides updates for the PS4 occasionally, and they just rolled out a new one— System Software Update 3.50 for the PlayStation 4. We’ve rounded up the most interesting facts and tidbits from this update so that you know what to expect.
New Notifications
When one of your friends comes online, you will now see a new notification about it. This is a helpful little feature, especially if you’re wanting to join up with a pal for some co-op gaming. If you don’t like the notifications popping up, just go to Settings>Notifications>When Friends Go Online and adjust that function to suit your preferences.
Sharing Activity and Tagging Players
You’ve been able to share your own activities, but now you can share the activities of other players as well! Plus, you can tag other players in video clips or screenshots that you upload. If you don’t want to allow everyone tagging rights, go to Settings>PlayStation Network/Account Management>Privacy Settings>Sharing Your Experience>Tags. From there, you can control who has the right to tag you in PS4 media uploads.
Event Creation
Want to join up with some of your best buddies for a raucous game of “Division” or “Call of Duty?” Now you don’t have to text or message everyone. You can set up an Event via your PS4. Just go to Events, then select “Create Event,” and you’ll see various options that you can tweak, including the date, the time, and the number of players. From the event creation area, you can send invitations to players whom you want to join the fun.
Secret Status
Sometimes, you want to play online with certain friends, but not with others. Maybe there’s one guy who just keeps bugging you every time you come online, and you’d really rather not deal with it. You can now hide from people by switching your online status to offline, even when you are really online. You can do this in one of three ways: via the options menu on the login screen, from the profile screen, or through the quick menu. Of course, when you’re in a game, the other players in the game will be able to tell that you’re online; and if you decide to “Share” something or perform another social feature, people will be able to see that activity. However, for the most part, you’ll be totally under the radar.
Remote Play Expansion
Guess what? Remote Play is now available to use from a computer. All you have to do is install PS4 Remote Play on your Mac or Windows PC, and you’ll be able to connect to your PS4 from a computer. Pretty cool, right?
Gameplay Broadcasting
Want everyone to see your killer moves and amazing strategies? With the new PS4 update, you can broadcast your gameplay via dailymotion.com.
Playing Together
Certain online multiplayer games support a new “Play Together” feature, available with the system software update 3.50 for PS4. This feature lets you automatically invite a group of players and starts your game right away.
There are a few other positive changes as well, including teen account creation and the PlayStation Plus Hub. Tell us which element of the update you are most excited to see!
My favourite gaming console is the PS4, of course, and in my spare time I love to write.