Sony Releases New Beta Firmware for PlayStation 5

Today, Sony released a new Beta firmware for the PlayStation 5 (without a specific version number), introducing a host of new features aimed at enhancing the myriad ways players access their preferred content, navigate the console, or create new gaming memories with friends. At present, the firmware version is only available to PlayStation 5 users in the United States, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France. Sony claims that updates will be released globally later this year.

Gamers can now assign a secondary controller to an account as an auxiliary controller, operating the PlayStation 5 console with two controllers as though using a single controller. This function supports all PlayStation 5 compatible controllers and can be activated by navigating to [Settings]>[Accessibility]>[Controllers], then enabling the relevant feature.

When operating the PlayStation 5 console with DualSense, DualSense Edge, and PS VR2 Sense controllers, players can opt to enable haptic (vibration) feedback effects. Once activated, certain system sound effects will be conveyed through controller vibration feedback, thus amplifying the player’s immersion to a significant degree.

If a player owns Dolby Atmos equipment, it is now possible to power Dolby Atmos audio with Tempest 3D AudioTech. Additionally, players can freely adjust the volume of the PlayStation 5 console’s power-on and power-off sounds, or even switch them off completely.

The PlayStation 5 utilizes a dedicated M.2 SSD expansion slot to expand storage, and the original requirement was for the SSD to support PCIe 4.0 x4, with a read speed of at least 5500 MB/s and a capacity between 250GB and 4TB. Sony has now increased the maximum capacity to 8TB, allowing players to expand storage space more effectively.

Moreover, this firmware version includes several updates pertaining to social features and usability.