You may already know that PS4’s upcoming system software 2.00, codenamed Masamune, adds some big features including Share Play, YouTube support, and Themes – but the updates don’t end there. I have personally stated in past blog posts that we listen to our fans. PlayStation has heard gamers when they say they want more ways to find friends to play with, and more ways to personalize their PS4. With this update, we’ve added a Players You May Know tile, the ability to listen to your music while gaming, the option to change the look of your PS4 experience, and easier ways to sort and filter your library of content on PS4.
PS4 has been on sale for almost a year and we’re committed to improving the player experience in entirely new ways. As always, we welcome feedback as part of our ongoing effort to make PS4 the best place to play.
- USB Music Player: PS4 owners can play their own music in the background while playing a game using USB Music Player*. After inserting a USB stick loaded with music into the PS4, a new option for USB Music Player will appear. Supported filename extensions include MP3, MP4, M4A, and 3GP.
- Change colors: In addition to the ability to add a theme, PS4 owners can also change the background of the home screen from light blue to one of seven new colors: gold, blue, red, green, purple, pink, and gray.
- Players You May Know: PS4 will now suggest players you may know as potential friends in the ‘What’s New’ section.
- Enhancements to Live Broadcasting: Masamune brings a variety of improvements to live broadcasting on PS4. In the Live From PlayStation app, PS4 owners can now select a Featured channel, which includes official broadcasts from PlayStation, broadcasts from people on a players friend list, and any game channel that the player has followed. Additionally, Live From PlayStation now has filters for searching broadcasts on a specific game, as well as support for archived broadcasts.
- Content Area and Library: PS4’s Content Area, which shows the latest games and apps a PS4 owner has used, has been redesigned to help make it easier to quickly find and access content. It now shows 15 of a player’s most used apps or games, and additional items will be added to a player’s Library. The Library on PS4 has improved filter and sort functions to help organize contented by type (game / app / TV & video), name (a – z or z – a), recently used, or install date.
- Enhanced Voice Commands: The ability to control PS4 using voice has been improved. Players can now say ‘PlayStation’ to begin commands, and ‘All Commands,’ to see a list of all voice command options available. New voice commands were added for live broadcasting, including “Start broadcast,” “End broadcast,” and “Find face.”
- Add To Library: The monthly free PlayStation Plus games will have an ‘Add to Library’ button in the PlayStation Store. This button will add a game to a PS4 owner’s library without downloading it – saving space on their hard drive.
Correction: Back Up Data, a feature listed in an earlier version of this post, is not part of PS4 system software 2.00.
PS Vita and PS TV – 3.35 update, Live From PlayStation
The PS Vita and PS TV systems will also receive a system software update to version 3.35 with the same timing as Masamune, adding four-player Remote Play support to PS TV. In addition, the Live from PlayStation app, which allows users to watch live gameplay streams from PS4 systems, will be available on both PS Vita and PS TV alongside this update.
PlayStation App 2.0 update
The PlayStation App for smartphones and tablets, available free on the App Store and Google Play, is also set to receive an update to version 2.0 within the same launch window as both the PS4 and PS Vita system software updates. This update provides a new layout for tablets, and the app’s home screen has been redesigned.
Stay tuned for more information on Masamune. We can’t wait for everyone to try it!
* User can play music files stored inside USB storage but cannot copy music files to PS4 HDD. This application cannot be used at the same time with Music Unlimited. USB Music Player will appear once USB storage is inserted, and will disappear once USB storage is removed.
Btw awesome features keep up the good work,I love you guys!And thnx for hearing us out!
i would love to be able to store my music and photos on my console, like i did on my PS3. and to be able to use those photos as my wallpaper, the ability to use my screen shot captures for wallpapers would be great too. and maybe a randomizer for your wallpapers, so that you have a different wallpaper every time you switch on.
Cant wait, but wheres the option to save images to folders , change psn name and the most important, knowing when a friend signs on?
This awesome! Thanks Sony! Will we be able to store music on PS4 HDD? It would be awesome to have DLNA like the PS3 had xD
Thanks for being vocal on the firmware updates.
Don’t want to beg or complain but you said playstation is listening.
PlaystatioN Vita needs the ability to have multiple accounts .
Playstation store needs a way to sort your download list.
Playstation 4 needs to be compatible with ps1, ps2, ps3 classics. Not expecting discs to work but at least digital
downloads.
Please listen. Thanks
All I want is to be able to watch movies off my hard drive. That is all. Oh and YouTube.
As someone who’s been pretty disappointed with the updates so far, I got to say, this looks awesome! I hope that theme with the blocky background is free. I love that.
There are really only a few things left that I think need to be addressed…
– Pausing downloads
PS3 and Vita have this. PS4 should too. I only have a 3mb connection. That’s approximately 1GB per hour so downloading any more than one thing at a time takes way too long. I hate having to cancel a giant PS+ game download so I can download a new game update to get back online.
– Offline trophies
I really like the way trophies work on Vita and PS3. There’s an offline list that only has games listed for that platform, and it displays the most recently played games at the top, and you don’t have to wait for them to sync to see them updated.
Better yet, just give us the whole online list offline, then give us customization options. The sorting/display options on that PSNprofiles website is exactly what I want on PS4.
Will there be any chance of skype on ps4 like xbox has
Release it already, while I appreciate the update about the update which was mentioned months ago, about features that should have been there at launch, I’ve been a Sony fan since ps1, and support you guys whole heartedly, but pick up the pace and give us the features we were told would be there…..a year ago, please.
The fact that your service is still down, and has been an unstable mess since the launch of the console, makes me question how you get away with charging people for online. Seriously, it was one thing for it to suck when it was free, but this is unacceptable now.
That’s pretty good. You know, the PS3 could actually play MP3’s off it’s internal HDD too. And it could do the same with my home videos. Those features are how I justified purchasing a PS3 to my family in the first place.
If you are planning on adding those features later, first, hurry up, and second, maybe be more up front about it so I know what to expect. I had assumed the lack of media center features was about some marketing idea or DRM concerns, and that we’d never see it. I don’t buy into the “it’s only for gamers, dude” thing. I use those features.
I noted that PS3’s are becoming harder to come by. I need the media features (mp3, mp4/m4v, and DNLA). So last week I bought a back-up PS3 used in case my first fails and I still have my backlog of titles to play. I have two PS3’s now. Could have been a PS4, FYI.
Great looking update Sony! Good job! I like that the music player lets you play your own music while playing games! Yay! Custom soundtracks are back!
Question for you…will the YouTube player support 4k video playback? And do you see 4k videos coming to the Playstation Store any time soon?
Is it possible to use a USB SD Card reader to play music?
any time to get this update?
Please tell me the Themes have CUSTOM SOUNDS or CUSTOM MUSIC than can replace the default UI music???? And what about dynamic themes???
Huge oversight if not. Imagine an animated rain theme with the actual sound of falling rain!
Does this update add folders for the games and apps on the content area? It would be nice to not have to scroll through all my games to find the one I’m looking for
My wishlist:
*A true media player for music and videos with expanded codec support
*dlna
*an update to playstation app that acts as a remote for netflix, bluray, dvd, etc.
*update to bluray firmware
*allow for storage of photos and other media on p4 hdd or external hdd
*the ability to adjust color, white balance, and other settings for playstation camera
It’s probably already been said, but I’d like to see notifications for when friends log on.
There will be different themes for different users? I mean, if my daughter log with her PSN on our PS4 it will show her theme or one theme for all accounts?
What about party chat extension? Making it larger or add options how many users you want in a party 2-16 or less what about video chat do we have those or no?
Scott McCarthy,
I have a couple of simple suggestions for future updates that should not be hard to implement as they are things that the PS3 has been able to do for many years.
1) Add the ability to Pause and Resume Downloads just like the PS3 does.
2) When downloading games from PSN, my slow DSL connection frequently disconnects. When this happens, all of the downloads stop and have to be manually restarted each time. Please make downloads automatically resume after an internet outage just like the PS3 does.
3) Please allow earlier preloading for games. There are many people still with slow internet connections. You usually start preloads on Sunday afternoons. Some people cannot download a 50 gigabyte game in 36 hours. The competition allows preloads up to 3 weeks in advance. You should do the same.
Thanks for listening,
ChillTown_Y2J
Thank you Guys for listening to us We really appreciate it especially me i just want to make sure if its possible if you guys could please add the Bluetooth features so i can connect my devices wirelessly (headset, etc.)
Can get also get the ability to make folders so all our games aren’t in ONE GIANT LINE?
What about Bluetooth update? So I can use my PX4 without the cable from the headset into the controller..??
I know how weird this sounds, but my favorite thing is the add to library functionality. That’s just great for someone like me. Excited for the others though. LOVE my ps4. Best money I’ve ever spend
Better than nothing but how about blu-ray remote support from the ps3? or just put out a remote for the ps4? preferably without a 1,000,000 lumens spotlight on it.
@316: Only if you can turn that OFF. Do not want. With 120 friends I’d hear/see it several times per minute. No thanks.
Really nice improvements here.
A few things I do miss from PS3 and/or want is the ability to group up several games into a single folder such as “demos” or “RPG:s” to get a better structure on your games without having to go all the way to the right to access the library. If it would be possible to sort the apps into an “Apps” folder, just to be able to have everything as clean and sorted as possible, would also be fantastic.
It would also be very nice to be able to remove a demo (or a free game) completely from your library.
I find this really funny. It’s great that Sony is listening to us but most of you are still complaining. We bash the Xbox for not having it’s **** together and priorities together and shifting it’s message but then we all say we want exactly what the Xbox has (DLNA, MP3, Other Media features). This is a game console! Not a media center! I bought my PS4 to remain an outstanding performer when playing video games. Its great that these other features are coming and I’ll welcome them if they come without using up too many resources but you guys can’t keep contradicting yourselves and then bash the Xbox for doing what we originally didn’t want the PS4 to do. Thanks Sony for the amazing support but at the same time… do not compromise our gameplay experience and turn this into a media center more so than a game console.
I find it very disappointing that Sony has (so far) wasted their good will advantage with their users on features that should really be further down the priority list. Seriously, I am pretty sure DLNA / Video Player is the #1 requested feature and after 1 YEAR, still not a feature? Seriously? I give MS credit for hauling butt and doing a far better job on the updates (purely subjective I understand) for their OS versus Sony who seems far more concerned on cosmetics than meaningful functionality. Hopefully Sony is still holding back a few features to surprise everyone when they release 2.0, so perhaps DLNA is hiding in there, because a 2.0 update without it means Sony is letting the wrong people / person drive the bus.
I’m assuming it won’t be the case, but will previously purchased PlayStation 3 themes be available on the PS4? And any word if purchased / unlocked avatars will be selectable THROUGH the PS4 interface at any point?
-> Azuske, of course this is a game console first and foremost, but reality is the features that we believe should be supported are features (such as DLNA) that already existing on PS3. Therefore, PS4 *should* have had it at launch, but certainly a YEAR after launch. Plus, from a business perspective, Sony knows they won’t win the console battle without more media focus because pure gaming is not enough to win the masses.
Will this update finally allow me to remove unused (and uninstalled) icons like crackle??
Yes finally ive complained about this features for a while and glad to hear a response
Will the new backup feature allow you to backup individual titles. For example when my 2TB drive gets full, can I backup just the games I have finished so that they can be restored later if wanted.
While I am a bit upset that I can’t play Destiny due to the network being down this update was much needed. Now if only they would allow for my music to play while my game is running that would be awesome. Also would like the option to remove the background music on the PS4 menu, it is a little depressing at times.
How about adding new form of PSN Security by allowing users to get code on their Cell before their can sign-in to the PSN on all system’s and web. If i sign in right now i get code then in-put it then i fully sign into PSN now. You only put the code once or whenever your clean out systems data.
+ Scott McCarthy on October 16th, 2014 at 1:20 pm said:
We have not yet announced a date. That said we don’t want you guys playing some of the biggest games of the year without the biggest update of the year.
So this update will come out before CoD im guessing
Soooo…on this patch with the ability or lack there of to save a campaign on BF4 be fixed or is that still a problem not recognized by you all even though even YouTubers will not do a walk through because they have complained about having to try and knock it out in one shot since they cant save it?????
It seriously took you guys a year to add things that have been on the ps3 for years? No home screen customization/themes, no DNLA, no youtube, no media server, still no friend notification when going on/offline, the list goes on. Seriously Sony you suck this skeleton box of a console is sad and you should be ashamed.
It’s coming along,just wish a lot of this stuff was already included.
I thought we were getting the ability to use folders on the front page. I don’t want to see my last 10 items are used on the front page, I want folders that I can go through and put the items where I need them. Which is what I thought we were promised. Where are game state saves? Why can’t we customize the look of the front page? Allow users to put the information they want there?
It’s almost like I feel like I’m dealing with a five-year-old with ADHD. Who hears what he wants to hear and does what he wants to do, regardless of what anybody else wants or needs. I just feel there’s no excuse for all of your promises not to have been implemented over the past year. Then when you do implement one of them, it’s in a way that doesn’t suit your client base. Almost like you’re doing the bare minimum to please people…
Well, I guess something is better than nothing. We’ll see after 2.0 releases, just how much you guys have been listening.
Question: Are the Themes Static or Dynamic?
And on another note can we get a PS2 theme the system background sounds and key tones and even the boot screen noise always brings that nostalgic emotion
The ability to use Share for sub-accounts and sub-account to master account upgrade path. It has almost been a year since the PS4 came out and I still haven’t been able to share gameplay.
My ps3 did that and more at launch
It would seem after fully reading the updates the background music issue is already being addressed. Wow you guys work fast! lol
Can you add FLAC support for USB music playback instead of just MP3s please? Are there any plans to allow us to copy music straight to the hard drive and play it from there? I’m assuming that will be included with an update to play videos from USB or the hard drive as well.
Well, thanks for the update! I look forward to video file playback, DLNA and being able to pause downloads too.
USB Music player on a system with only 2 usb slots….GOOD JOB. NO REALLY ….GOOOD @#$#$%#$%#$ JOB! WANT TO TRADE THIS JUNK PS4 FOR AN XBOX ONE NOW!!!! Your guy are ridiculous..the controller dies every 3-4 hours, so that stays plugged in, i also have a usb keyboard that i need for FF14, so where is my 3rd usb slot for this silly usb music player… What idiots do you guys have working over there? FORGET the whole stupid usb media player and allow us to put our MP3S on the hard drive. ITS NOT THAT HARD!!!!! and PSNdown for the 100th time in 3 months….. ive only had this system for a month now and totally regretting it…
All these updates are great, glad to see that Sony is listening to its customer base and following through. My only minor suggestion is to add a feature that allows to sort our games alphabetically when viewing trophies. I prefer this much more than the current view which sorts games by most recently played.