PS4 gets social upgrade

Sony has announced an update for the PlayStation 4 which is designed to expand the unit’s social connectivity options and making it easier for gamers to share their gaming experiences.

“We’re immensely proud of the current success of PS4, having already built a community of over 7 million gamers worldwide,” said Isabelle Tomatis, Marketing Director, SCEE. “At the heart of our success is being for the gamer and this update is another great example of that. We have listened to our community and delivered the most highly anticipated and requested features. Being the most socially connected console is very important to us and with this update, we are confident of achieving that and creating a unique and exciting experience.

Highlights for the 1.70 update include:

Edit and Share Best Gameplay Moments with Sharefactory

Once PS4 owners update to system software version 1.70, they will be able to elevate their game sharing by downloading the new Sharefactory app, the PS4 system’s rich video editor that allows users to easily customize their gameplay videos with special effects including filters, transitions and themes. Sharefactory provides access to a robust suite of tools to personalize videos by adding text and video commentary with picture-in-picture capability using PlayStation Camera. PS4 owners can also add a custom soundtrack to their videos using the included audio tracks or by importing their original music. With this rich set of features, Sharefactory enables players to create a polished compilation of their most epic gaming moments to share with their friends and social networks.

Get Games Faster with Automatic Downloading for Pre-ordered Games

Immediacy and streamlined access to content is a core part of the PS4 experience, with existing features such as “Play As You Download.” Shortly following the 1.70 update, players will have the ability to automatically download select games pre-ordered from PlayStation¬ÆStore prior to the release, so it’s ready to play as soon as the game launches. When the auto-download feature is enabled, the game will automatically download up to several days in advance of launch. As the release date approaches, a new countdown timer will appear to show how much time remains, until the content is released and accessible.

More Flexibility for Gameplay Captures with HDCP Off

The 1.70 update addresses one of the most highly requested features from PS4 users by introducing the option for PS4 users to disable High-bandwidth Digital Copy Protection (HDCP) for games. This enables PS4 games to be output through HDMI to an external capture device for more flexibility when capturing gameplay, including longer recorded and live streamed sessions.

Easily Share Captured Videos, Screenshots or Edited Videos with USB Export Option

The ability to export captured videos, screenshots or edited Sharefactory videos by pressing the DUALSHOCK 4 controller’s SHARE button to USB drive will also be added, allowing users to share their proudest, most heroic gaming moments with the world on the social video platforms of their choice.

Watch Live Broadcasts in HD or View Broadcasts Later with Archiving Support

With the upcoming update, users will have the option to broadcast their gameplay in 720p HD resolution and archive their broadcasts via Twitch and Ustream.

Additional features and updates introduced with system software v1.70 include:

PS Vita 3.15 Update

The PS Vita system has recently received a system software update to version 3.15 with the same timing as the PS4 1.70 update, adding some key feature enhancements that will strengthen the connectivity and integration between the PS Vita and PS4 systems.

The 3.15 update enables Automatic Device Registration, which has automatically paired the devices when both systems are online and the same user is signed in to both, making it even easier to link a PS Vita system with a PS4 system for Remote Play and other second screen features.

PlayStation App 1.70 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 1.70 within the same launch window as both the PS4 and PS Vita system software updates. The update will add push notifications and allows users to change their profile picture by uploading from their mobile device’s photo library or taking a photo using their device’s camera. In addition, Friend requests will be able to be sent via email and text messages, making it more convenient and easier to add Friends and grow your network. The PlayStation App will also support iPad resolution with the update to 1.70.

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