The next-generation of console gaming is upon us - as the PS4 has officially launched (with the Xbox One not far behind). Sony's new console sold over one million units in only 24 hours and the company's executives expect the trend to continue - claiming they'll be able to keep PS4 units flowing through the supply chain and into customer hands throughout the busy holiday season.

However, despite an admirable launch for the highly anticipated PlayStation 3 successor, many gamers faced a number of inconvenient hurdles on release day. As with any major launch, server problems and other hiccups are to be expected but when those minor glitches turn into frustrating, and sometimes game-breaking, problems that wear-on for days or even weeks (see Grand Theft Auto Online character losses), even the most patient and passionate customers can begin to see red. Fortunately, Sony was quick to address the most pressing issue - crippling PSN problems that left most players unable to get online - and now the publisher has released a follow-up software update that should improve stability on the five day old console.

Following game freezes and (a relative few) unresponsive systems, third-party developers began pointing fingers at Sony for stability issues in their day one system update. Many players viewed glitches as par for the course on a console launch, some felt that developers were unfairly trying to escape blame for bugs in their own games, while others were quick to blame Sony for rushing the release of the system. Still, most major complaints (aside from a host of missing features and underwhelming response to certain launch titles), have begun to subside as game makers have patched their launch titles and PSN traffic has thinned.

Nevertheless, Sony is dedicated to squashing any lingering problems that gamers are experiencing with the release of PS4 System Software 1.51 - a minor update that will improve performance as well as provide tweaks to the user interface.

Here's the full breakdown of System Software 1.51 from the PlayStation Blog. Note: the post was dated last night - and the update is now live:

Later today, the next system software update for PlayStation 4 (version 1.51) will be available. With this minor required update, stability of system software has been improved. In addition, minor refinements to elements of the system UI (such as clearly indicating when a user downloads a game and a game patch at the same time) have been introduced.

In the North American region, automatic downloads for system and game updates are enabled by default when PS4 is in stand-by mode. Once system software update 1.51 is available later tonight, your PS4 will automatically download it, enabling you to update quickly and easily.

Of course, given the short development time between launch day and today, fans shouldn't have expected any major new feature additions - such as MP3 or YouTube support. Instead, the 1.51 update is clearly designed to sure-up any shortcomings in the launch software - now that Sony has over one million systems running in the wild. Anyone familiar with the games industry knows that even the most responsible and intensive internal beta testing program cannot anticipate every potential bug, since individual gamers actually use their consoles in a variety of unique configurations and conditions. Similarly, it sounds as though Sony is already implementing feedback on their new PlayStation user interface. Gamers weren't exactly up in arms about the way digital patch and game downloads were displayed but minor tweaks, most of which are not outright detailed here, can make a big difference - especially when it comes to UI navigation.

It's reassuring that Sony is so committed to ensuring that their promised launch experience is stable but the announcement post over on the PlayStation Blog has already been flooded with customers that are looking toward the next update, listing off demands for currently absent features (such as bluetooth headset support). We've put together our own list of 5 Missing Features The PS4 Needs ASAP but feel free to weigh-in with your own wish list in the comment section.

In the meantime, Sony has assured customers that several sought-after features are currently in development and will be rolled out in the not-too-distant future - so, as with most recently launched console, gamers will just have to be patient as the publisher delivers on their promises for the PS4 ecosystem.

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The PlayStation 4 is available now in North America.

Follow me on Twitter @benkendrick.

Source: PlayStation Blog