The New and Improved PS4 4.0 Update

The PlayStation 4 got an update to its interface with new features. On September 13 the new firmware update added a new user interface, folders, a refresh to the quick and share menu, and High Dynamic Range lighting (HDR). These are just a few changes to the PS4.

The new user interface is now easy to navigate. Before selecting a game, the dashboard at the bottom of the app will show live content of the game. The dashboard will display the number of streamers and friends playing the game. It also will display trophies for the selected game under the game’s icon. The new interface is cleaner and more accessible for the everyday gamer.

The quick menu is a fast way to open and close other settings or apps. The update gives the player the ability to customize their menu with varieties of settings. All you need to do is check a box if you want it or uncheck a box if you don’t. Players can now see friends online, start live streaming, listening to music on the fly and much more.

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The share menu shows a sharing and broadcasting setting making it easier to adjust stream settings. This enables customization for live broadcasting like, Mic adjustments, live chat, and audio settings. The most impactful change was the increase in time with shared videos. Players are now able to upload 140 seconds of gameplay. Before the update you were only able to upload 10 seconds. That doesn’t give other players a good sense of what you're trying to show.

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A highly suggested feature they added to the PS4 was folders. Games and apps are so cluttered it’s difficult to spot, especially if you have dozens of games. Making a folders is simple. Going to the library menu will give you an option to create one. Pressing the options button will also give an option to add to folder. You can personalize it by adding a title to the folder. Now you can select any game or app and add it to the folder of your choice.

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Last week PlayStation announced that every PS4 will have an update that will include HDR lighting. In the update, they’ve added an option in the video output settings that will allow for HDR support. You will need a TV that will support HDR to be able to utilize the HDR feature. This is a good addition to the PS4 that wasn’t really needed. But it’s never a bad thing to have more options.

With update 4.0 it creates a more user friendly interface with personal customization to make your PS4 unique. The additions of folders and the increase of time in shared videos was a changed that I thought really could benefit the gamer. With the new look of the PS4 interface, what new features do you think benefited you in the 4.0 update?

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