Sony has today outlined the next PlayStation 4 firmware update, and it’s set to introduce some long-requested bells and whistles to the company’s flagship hardware.
Codenamed Sasuke, system software update 4.50 – as it’s so fetchingly referred to on PS Blog – will finally add support for external hard drives. That means that, when the firmware begins rolling out later this year, you’ll be able to store content on any compatible USB 3.0 HDD, much like Xbox One. Hard drives of up to 8GB will be supported, and as illustrated in the picture below, anything stored externally can be accessed through the PS4’s Content Launcher on the main menu.
Beyond external HDD support, Sony has also confirmed the addition of custom wallpapers, allowing you to showcase your finest in-game screenshots and achievements on the home screen. Other features on the way include a Quick Menu Refresh, which essentially streamlines the Quick Menu so as not to distract you from the gaming experience. Notifications will also receive a minor overhaul, with PS Blog noting, “you can also quickly access the Notification settings from the Options Menu to turn off or customize which pop-up notifications appear on your screen, so you’re only being notified about your top priorities.”
Last and certainly not least, PS4 owners can also look forward to 3D Blu-Ray support – providing you have a compatible TV – and the ability to post directly onto the Activity Feed, meaning you can upload messages and other content to the What’s New section.
PlayStation 4 owners who signed up will soon be invited to test firmware 4.50, though Sony is yet to detail exactly when that testing will take place. Ditto for the update’s actual release date, but now that its contents are out in the wild, we fully expect to learn more about Sasuke and the features it brings very soon.
