While the next-generation PlayStation 5 is incredibly close to releasing, Sony is still adding updates to its current console's hardware. The PS4 has received multiple software updates in the nearly seven years it has been available, and the version 8.00 update launched today for the PS4 includes a number of new features.
The previous PS4 7.55 update launched in late August. While that update contained not a lot in terms of substance, just a standard update to existing software, the newest update that released today includes quite a lot in terms of new features and content. This update added not only various changes to online messaging and voice chat, but also new avatars for players to choose from.
These avatars reference various PlayStation-exclusive franchises, such as Uncharted, Bloodborne, God of War, Shadow of the Colossus, Ratchet and Clank, and many others. This gives players more variance in terms of how they choose to customize their profiles, not to mention the fact that every new player avatar is entirely free to use.
The version 8.00 update for the PS4 also comes with a variety of new quality-of-life features that should help make any given user's experience with the current-gen console easier. In terms of chatting with other players, the update allows for the Party and Messages tabs to be more connected with each other. Both will now use the same Groups for voice chatting and messaging each other, instead of having them delegated to two different sections.
In addition to the player avatars and the improvements made to the PS4 voice chat and messaging, the new update also comes with various other features. This includes updated parental controls, the ability to mute all microphones at once in the Quick Menu, and an upgraded two-step verification system which will support third-party authenticator apps like Google Authenticator.
Lastly, Sony has updated the PS4 Remote Play app to allow for PS5 integration and compatibility once the next-gen console is properly released in November. It's nice to see that Sony has continued to remain reactive in terms of updating its current-generation console when its next-gen console is so close to its release. In any case, hopefully PS4 users will enjoy the added improvements as well as all of the free new player avatars to customize their profiles with, even if they wind up buying the next device sometime soon.
Source: IGN