PS5 Enhanced with QoL Upgrades in Latest Beta Update

Sony introduces a new beta update for PlayStation 5 after its release of URL linking for game sessions. Read on to learn more about the features of this update and who can participate.

Sony Announces New PS5 Beta Update with Personalized 3D Audio and MoreKey Features of the Beta Update

Sony's VP of Product Management, Hiromi Wakai, announced yesterday on PlayStation.Blog that starting today, PlayStation 5 will introduce a new beta update featuring personalized 3D audio profiles, enhanced Remote Play settings, and adaptive charging for controllers.

One of the standout features of this update is the ability to create personalized 3D audio profiles for headphones and earbuds. This customization allows users to enhance their gaming experience by tailoring the 3D audio to their unique hearing characteristics. Using devices like the Pulse Elite wireless headset or Pulse Explore wireless earbuds, users can run sound quality tests to generate an audio profile that suits them best. This enhancement promises a more immersive experience by enabling players to better locate characters and objects within the game world.

[1] Images taken from PlayStation.Blog

The update also brings new Remote Play settings, giving users more control over who can access their PS5 console remotely. This feature is particularly useful for households with multiple PS5 users, as it allows the primary user to limit Remote Play access to specific individuals. This can be managed by navigating to [Settings] > [System] > [Remote Play] > [Enable Remote Play], and selecting the users who are allowed remote access.

For beta participants using the latest, slimmer PS5 model, the update introduces adaptive charging for controllers. This feature optimizes power usage by adjusting the charging duration based on the controller's battery level when the console is in rest mode. Users can enable adaptive charging by going to [Settings] > [System] > [Power Saving] > [Features Available in Rest Mode], and selecting [Supply Power to USB Ports] > [Adaptive]. This ensures efficient energy use by stopping the power supply to the USB port after a certain period if no controller is connected.

Global Release and Beta Participation

While the beta is currently limited to invited participants in the U.S., Canada, Japan, U.K., Germany and France, Sony plans to release the update globally in the coming months. Invited participants will receive an email invitation today with instructions on how to download and participate in the beta. It's important to note that some features available during the beta phase may not make it into the final version or could undergo significant changes based on user feedback.

Wakai emphasized the importance of community feedback in shaping these updates. "Thanks to feedback from our PlayStation community, we’ve introduced many new features and refinements over the past few years to enhance your gaming experiences on PS5," Wakai said. Sony is eager to hear feedback from beta participants and looks forward to introducing these new features to the global PS5 community in the near future.

Previous Update and New Features

This beta update follows the recent Version 24.05-09.60.00 update, which introduced the ability to invite other players to game sessions by sharing a URL to the session. To invite other players, users can open the game session action card, select Share Link, and then scan the QR code with a mobile device to share the link. This feature is available only for open sessions that anyone can join. This addition has already enhanced the social gaming experience on PS5, and the new beta update builds on this foundation by further improving personalization and control.