All eyes might be watching the calendar slowly tick toward the PS5, but Sony's PlayStation 4 isn't being forgotten.
A new system software update is launching today across the globe.
Latest news - Voice chat warning
Following this update, users are seeing a notification about Party Safety and that voice chats in parties may be recorded.
Voice chat recording for moderation is a feature that will be available on PS5 when it launches, and will enable users to record their voice chats on PS5 and submit them for moderation review.
The pop up you’re seeing on PS4 right now is to let you know that when you participate in a chat with a PS5 user (post-launch), they may submit those recordings from their PS5 console to SIE.
Update 8.00
The PS4 update includes changes to the existing system features and should simplify a few processes, as well as adding some flexibility to others.
If you're working from home still then be sure to fire up your PS4 and get downloading so its ready when you clock off!
Sony recommends using a wire connection to download the update.
Let's look at what's coming...
Updates to Party and Messages
Following this update, Party and Messages will be more tightly linked together and you will see changes to the UI.
Both apps will now use the same ‘Groups’ of players for Party voice chats and message exchanges, instead of having different groups setup across the two apps.
Now you can start a Party Chat or send a message to the group you’ve previously chatted with across PS4, as well as PS5 when it launches.
New Avatars
Sony is expanding the collection of pre-set avatars for players to showcase on their Profile.
An array of new avatars from your favorite games will be available, including Ghost of Tsushima, God of War, The Last of Us Part II, and many more.
Mute all mics from Quick Menu
Sony has added an option to “Mute all Microphones” in the Quick Menu, so you can easily mute your mics while gaming.
Something every Call of Duty player will be thankful for.
Simplified and more flexible Parental Controls
Under Parental Controls, we’re combining the ‘Communicating with Other Players’ and ‘Viewing Content Created by other Players’ into one setting – ‘Communication and User Generated Content’.
This covers both areas of communication and UGC sharing. This offers a simpler setting that’s easier for parents to understand and apply to their children.
Children can send a request to their parents to use communications features in specific games. When a child sends this request, the parent will receive an email notification and can choose to make an exception for that game and allow the child to use its communications and UGC features.
This will provide more flexibility to both parents and children.
Enhanced 2-Step Verification
The 2-Step Verification (2SV) feature on PS4 will be enhanced to support third party authenticator apps as an option during the activation flow and 2SV sign-in across PS4, mobile and web.
Removal of Event Creation and Private Community Creation
After 8.00, you will no longer be able to create Events or access existing Events created by other users.
Sony is also removing the ability to create private Communities under the Community app on PS4. If you already have existing private Communities, you can continue to access them.
Updates to Remote Play App on Mobile and PC
At the same time as 8.00, the existing PS4 Remote Play app on mobile (iOS/Android), Windows PC and Mac, will change its name to PS Remote Play, and the option to connect to PS5 will be added.
You’ll need to sign in to PSN from your PS5 to be able to access the feature, so sit tight until PS5 launches this November!