New firmware beta for PS5 (Feb 2024)

[Jacko_the_lad]

Not very exciting new features, mind.

 

https://blog.playstation.com/2024/02/06/ps5-beta-adds-dualsense-controller-sound-enhancements-and-share-screen-interactions/

 

As the new year kicks into high gear with an amazing slate of PS5 game releases like The Last of Us Part II Remastered, Tekken 8 and Helldivers 2, along with FINAL FANTASY VII Rebirth later this month, we’re pleased to roll out another PS5 system software beta today with a number of quality-of-life enhancements and new features.

While beta access is limited to invited participants in select countries*, we plan to release the update globally in the coming months. If you’re selected to participate in the beta, you’ll receive an email invitation today when it’s available to download. Some features available during the beta phase may not make it into the final version or may see significant changes.

Let’s jump in to the newly added features:

DualSense wireless controller built-in mic and speaker audio enhancements

We’ve updated the device software of the DualSense and DualSense Edge wireless controllers to improve their sound features.

• Controller speaker enhancements. The controller speakers can now produce higher volume sound, allowing you to hear in-game sounds and voice chat audio more clearly.
• Improved noise cancellation. The mic input quality on these controllers has been improved, courtesy of a new AI machine learning model. Background noise from button presses and game audio are suppressed, resulting in a better voice chat experience. Install the system software beta and update the controller device software to enjoy enhanced clarity of your voice chat audio when using the controller mic.
• With this update, you may feel that the sounds coming from your controller speaker may sound louder. You can adjust the controller speaker volume from the control center.

Share Screen Interactions

Players watching Share Screen in full screen mode can now use pointers and emoji reactions to interact with the host’s gameplay.

• Viewers can move a pointer around, send a ping or draw a line on the shared screen, allowing them to highlight certain objects or areas to guide the host player more accurately.
• Viewers can send emoji-based reactions to the host’s screen to visually encourage and celebrate gameplay actions.
• Note: this feature is available by default but can be turned off by the host in the Share Screen settings. Both the host and the viewer must be participating in the beta to use this feature during the beta period.

Adjust Brightness of PS5 Power Indicator

You can now adjust the brightness of your PS5 console’s power indicator.

• Go to [Settings] > [System] > [Beep and Light], and then select [Brightness].

A heartfelt thank you to our community for always providing valuable feedback and supporting our beta programs. We’re excited to hear your thoughts!

*PS5 beta access will be available to selected participants in the U.S., Canada, Japan, U.K., Germany and France (same countries as our last system software beta).

 

[Dry]

Quite a mid list of additions, I see here.

[J-S_93]

Some of it seems interesting, not anything wow, but I can see their use cases.  At least it's not another nothing update.

[sepheroithisgod]

Must be some incredible engineering feat to add a trophy icon to the quick menu...

[Dreakon13]

Using the controller speaker for voice chat is really nice since I find headphones/earbuds uncomfortable for long periods.  Currently it's pretty aggressively quiet and borderline unusable for voice chatting so the boost/improvements to the mic and speaker is pretty cool IMO.

Edited February 6 by Dreakon13

[PHIL_DADDY1]

7 hours ago, Dry said:

Quite a mid list of additions, I see here.

I concur

[feligian]

Code good for 5 uses.  From email:

-----

Help us test the new PS5 system software Hey feligian, we’re excited to share some of the upcoming PS5 system software features. Firstly, we couldn’t do this without the help of gamers like you, so thanks. We look forward to hearing what you think. Please note that because this is a beta, features and specifications may change prior to the official system software release. Here are the main updates to check out: 1. We've updated the device software of the DualSense and DualSense Edge wireless controllers to improve their sound features. • The controller speakers can now produce higher volume sound, allowing you to hear in-game sounds and voice chat audio more clearly. • The mic input quality on these controllers has been improved, courtesy of a new AI machine learning model. Background noise from button presses and game audio are suppressed, resulting in a better voice chat experience. Install the system software beta and update the controller device software to enjoy enhanced clarity of your voice chat audio when using the controller mic. 2. You can now adjust the brightness of your PS5's power indicator. • Go to [Settings] > [System] > [Beep and Light], and then select [Brightness]. 3. We've added new features in Parties and Share Screen. • Players watching Share Screen can use pointers and emoji reactions to interact with the host's gameplay. o Viewers can use a pointer or indicate a specific location on the gameplay screen with ping. o Viewers can also send emoji reactions. o This feature is available when the host turns on [Viewer Interactions] in the Share Screen settings. 4. Unicode 15.1 emoji is supported. You can now use them in messages. 5. We've updated the device software of the DualSense and DualSense Edge wireless controllers, PlayStation VR2 headset, and Access controller to improve stability. 6. We've improved the messages and usability on some screens. Please note: we strongly recommend that you back up your important data before downloading the beta software. Here’s your voucher code: 8L5N-HGRG-XTDJ Your code expires on April 30, 2024 and can be redeemed by up to 5 qualifying accounts, so feel free to share it with friends that you know are happy to receive it (they must be over 18 years old to participate). Click here for voucher redemption instructions and here for help installing the beta. System software limitations The beta program has certain limitations. Be sure to read the limitations below before using. •Only beta program participants can send and receive Share Screen requests. Caution when restoring to the latest official release version. Note the following before restoring your system software to the latest official release version. •After restoring the system software to the latest official release version, some games might not work correctly. If you experience any issues with a game, delete it, and then install it again. •If you install the latest official release version before the beta program ends, the following changes will occur. oSome of your notifications will be deleted. oSome of your settings and the order of content on your home screen will be reset to default. oYour gamelists created in [Game Library] > [Your Collection] will be deleted.

How to help us test the beta During the System Software Beta test, you can help by playing a variety of games where possible and also by providing feedback in the following ways: 1. Reporting crashes If you see an application or game crash during the beta test, please send a crash report – this is a mandatory requirement for participation. When submitting a crash report, please be sure to include the following details in the comment section: • What you were doing when the crash occurred (include the game/application name and specific operation). •What scene you were playing – if a crash occurs while playing a game. 2. Reporting bugs Please provide detailed information on the bug you encountered and what you were doing when it occurred via our Bug Report Tool.

[J-S_93]

3 minutes ago, feligian said:

Code good for 5 uses.  From email:

-----

Help us test the new PS5 system software Hey feligian, we’re excited to share some of the upcoming PS5 system software features. Firstly, we couldn’t do this without the help of gamers like you, so thanks. We look forward to hearing what you think. Please note that because this is a beta, features and specifications may change prior to the official system software release. Here are the main updates to check out: 1. We've updated the device software of the DualSense and DualSense Edge wireless controllers to improve their sound features. • The controller speakers can now produce higher volume sound, allowing you to hear in-game sounds and voice chat audio more clearly. • The mic input quality on these controllers has been improved, courtesy of a new AI machine learning model. Background noise from button presses and game audio are suppressed, resulting in a better voice chat experience. Install the system software beta and update the controller device software to enjoy enhanced clarity of your voice chat audio when using the controller mic. 2. You can now adjust the brightness of your PS5's power indicator. • Go to [Settings] > [System] > [Beep and Light], and then select [Brightness]. 3. We've added new features in Parties and Share Screen. • Players watching Share Screen can use pointers and emoji reactions to interact with the host's gameplay. o Viewers can use a pointer or indicate a specific location on the gameplay screen with ping. o Viewers can also send emoji reactions. o This feature is available when the host turns on [Viewer Interactions] in the Share Screen settings. 4. Unicode 15.1 emoji is supported. You can now use them in messages. 5. We've updated the device software of the DualSense and DualSense Edge wireless controllers, PlayStation VR2 headset, and Access controller to improve stability. 6. We've improved the messages and usability on some screens. Please note: we strongly recommend that you back up your important data before downloading the beta software. Here’s your voucher code: 8L5N-HGRG-XTDJ Your code expires on April 30, 2024 and can be redeemed by up to 5 qualifying accounts, so feel free to share it with friends that you know are happy to receive it (they must be over 18 years old to participate). Click here for voucher redemption instructions and here for help installing the beta. System software limitations The beta program has certain limitations. Be sure to read the limitations below before using. •Only beta program participants can send and receive Share Screen requests. Caution when restoring to the latest official release version. Note the following before restoring your system software to the latest official release version. •After restoring the system software to the latest official release version, some games might not work correctly. If you experience any issues with a game, delete it, and then install it again. •If you install the latest official release version before the beta program ends, the following changes will occur. oSome of your notifications will be deleted. oSome of your settings and the order of content on your home screen will be reset to default. oYour gamelists created in [Game Library] > [Your Collection] will be deleted.

How to help us test the beta During the System Software Beta test, you can help by playing a variety of games where possible and also by providing feedback in the following ways: 1. Reporting crashes If you see an application or game crash during the beta test, please send a crash report – this is a mandatory requirement for participation. When submitting a crash report, please be sure to include the following details in the comment section: • What you were doing when the crash occurred (include the game/application name and specific operation). •What scene you were playing – if a crash occurs while playing a game. 2. Reporting bugs Please provide detailed information on the bug you encountered and what you were doing when it occurred via our Bug Report Tool.

 

Not available for my region, oh well.

[Jacko_the_lad]

One other change in this beta is the new animation when you shut the console down. Even though it hasn't been that long since they changed it to coincide with the new PS5 design.

Edited February 7 by Jacko_the_lad

[Jacko_the_lad]

Has anyone on the beta noticed that your name shows up above some notifications now, such as trophies or even when the battery percentage pops up when you switch the console on?

 

Not sure I like it.

[DARKKRAKEN666]

4 hours ago, Jacko_the_lad said:

Has anyone on the beta noticed that your name shows up above some notifications now, such as trophies or even when the battery percentage pops up when you switch the console on?

 

Not sure I like it.

I did notice it, but then it disappeared again. So i suspect it's a bug.

On 2/7/2024 at 1:29 AM, J-S_93 said:

 

Not available for my region, oh well.

U.K code - XCPL-KEKR-RJMR

[J-S_93]

23 minutes ago, DARKKRAKEN666 said:

I did notice it, but then it disappeared again. So i suspect it's a bug.

U.K code - XCPL-KEKR-RJMR

 

Thank you ever so kindly, mate!

 

[Colin_Raleigh]

I've never taken part in these betas and I'm not about to start now. In all honesty it seems they only do these when nothing major is added, so it strikes me as a waste of time in my opinion. So if I get a beta code, I'll give this one a hard pass. 😑

Edited February 20 by Colin_Raleigh

[Viper]

I just remembered, a few years ago I was a part of several Beta tests in a row and signed up to be part of every future Beta test automatically....haven't received a Beta code since then. I mean, according to this one I'm not missing anything, but what was even the point of automating it and being on their list if they were just going to stop sending me codes? Then again, I've had issues with PlayStation E-Mails since PSN has been a thing...so I may just not be receiving them. 

[SnapsDaMouse]

On 2/6/2024 at 5:25 PM, feligian said:

Code good for 5 uses.  From email:

-----

Help us test the new PS5 system software Hey feligian, we’re excited to share some of the upcoming PS5 system software features. Firstly, we couldn’t do this without the help of gamers like you, so thanks. We look forward to hearing what you think. Please note that because this is a beta, features and specifications may change prior to the official system software release. Here are the main updates to check out: 1. We've updated the device software of the DualSense and DualSense Edge wireless controllers to improve their sound features. • The controller speakers can now produce higher volume sound, allowing you to hear in-game sounds and voice chat audio more clearly. • The mic input quality on these controllers has been improved, courtesy of a new AI machine learning model. Background noise from button presses and game audio are suppressed, resulting in a better voice chat experience. Install the system software beta and update the controller device software to enjoy enhanced clarity of your voice chat audio when using the controller mic. 2. You can now adjust the brightness of your PS5's power indicator. • Go to [Settings] > [System] > [Beep and Light], and then select [Brightness]. 3. We've added new features in Parties and Share Screen. • Players watching Share Screen can use pointers and emoji reactions to interact with the host's gameplay. o Viewers can use a pointer or indicate a specific location on the gameplay screen with ping. o Viewers can also send emoji reactions. o This feature is available when the host turns on [Viewer Interactions] in the Share Screen settings. 4. Unicode 15.1 emoji is supported. You can now use them in messages. 5. We've updated the device software of the DualSense and DualSense Edge wireless controllers, PlayStation VR2 headset, and Access controller to improve stability. 6. We've improved the messages and usability on some screens. Please note: we strongly recommend that you back up your important data before downloading the beta software. Here’s your voucher code: 8L5N-HGRG-XTDJ Your code expires on April 30, 2024 and can be redeemed by up to 5 qualifying accounts, so feel free to share it with friends that you know are happy to receive it (they must be over 18 years old to participate). Click here for voucher redemption instructions and here for help installing the beta. System software limitations The beta program has certain limitations. Be sure to read the limitations below before using. •Only beta program participants can send and receive Share Screen requests. Caution when restoring to the latest official release version. Note the following before restoring your system software to the latest official release version. •After restoring the system software to the latest official release version, some games might not work correctly. If you experience any issues with a game, delete it, and then install it again. •If you install the latest official release version before the beta program ends, the following changes will occur. oSome of your notifications will be deleted. oSome of your settings and the order of content on your home screen will be reset to default. oYour gamelists created in [Game Library] > [Your Collection] will be deleted.

How to help us test the beta During the System Software Beta test, you can help by playing a variety of games where possible and also by providing feedback in the following ways: 1. Reporting crashes If you see an application or game crash during the beta test, please send a crash report – this is a mandatory requirement for participation. When submitting a crash report, please be sure to include the following details in the comment section: • What you were doing when the crash occurred (include the game/application name and specific operation). •What scene you were playing – if a crash occurs while playing a game. 2. Reporting bugs Please provide detailed information on the bug you encountered and what you were doing when it occurred via our Bug Report Tool.

Thank you so much for that. I have redeemed it!