Date for PlayStation 4 firmware update 1.70 announced

The latest firmware update for the PlayStation 4, which includes SHAREfactory and HDCP toggle, finally has a release date.


Various outlets, such as PushSquare, reported that firmware update version 1.70 will be released on April 30th.

The patch contains a plethora of new features, including an HDCP toggle and digital preloading for pre-ordered games. Most notably, though, it includes the recently revealed SHAREfactory software, which will allow you to edit together clips that you've recorded, and then upload them to the social media stream of your choice. You can find out exactly what sort of videos that you'll be able to make with the application through here.

While I've never been too involved in using social media with video games, perhaps having easy-to-use software like SHAREfactory will finally get a majority of gamers to do something cool and share it to the world. But most gamers will definitely be interested in using HDCP toggle and being able to preload games that they buy of PSN -- which is one feature I can't wait for.

It's not confirmed, but another option that PushSquare talked about was the potential to dim the light bar on the DualShock 4. Why this wasn't implemented in the first place is still a wild mystery.

Consumer Electronics Show 2014: Introducing the PlayStation Now

Sony has officially announced PlayStation Now at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show, a new streaming service with that will allow gamers to play PS games on multiple platforms.


PlayStation Now is the result of Sony's acquisition of Gaikai a few years ago; Gaikai was previously a game streaming service over a browser, similar to how services like Netflix and Hulu stream movies and TV shows.

NBC News tells us that the streaming service will be available on both current Sony consoles and even TVs released this year. Also, the intention is to create a huge lineup of games - and players will just select one and play immediately.

PlayStation Now works on any PS4, PS3, and most 2014 model TVs, according to a Sony representative. Just select a game from the list, let it load up and play as normal. But the image you see is actually being generated by a console probably a few hundred miles away, then streamed to you live, like a movie on Netflix.
Right now, only a few titles are available — some high-profile games from the last year or two. But Sony told NBC News that it plans to expand the lineup considerably, including games from the original PlayStation console.

PS Now will also be available on the Vita, according to multiple hands-on reviews.

How will it work on new TVs? Likely any models that support Bluetooth technology, which is what the DualShock 3 and 4 controllers use. An interesting take on this is the representative's use of "most 2014 model TVs" and not specifically saying Sony's BRAVIA lineup.

UPDATE: IGN's Scott Lowe reports in his first-hand impressions that Sony has announced DualShock 3 support on BRAVIA TVs only.

CNET breaks down some information in bullet points. There will be "both rental and subscription plans" with PS3 games supported at launch; it's expected that older games will be launched later in the service. Players will be able to play multiplayer with gamers using the service and using the disc-based version. "Games will stream at 720p resolution" and "5Mbps broadband connection [is] recommended."

Multiple reports say that a closed beta will launch later in January and it will officially launch sometime this summer.

That's all the concrete information; nothing has been released as far as launch date, prices, and any deals for those that own a PlayStation unit and subscribe to PlayStation Plus.

However, the service was active on the CES floor, and there were plenty of first-hand impressions.

Image credit: Flickr

PlayStation Vita only used if 'specifically programmed' for PlayStation 4 games

The compatibility between Sony's next-generation console and handheld devices will continue to be slim, with confirmation that the PlayStation Vita will not operate as a controller with the PlayStation 4.

As reported by Yannick LeJack on NBC News, Sony Computer Entertainment president Shuhei Yoshida responded to questions on Twitter about the possibility of the Vita acting like a controller on the PS4.

"In a normal sense, no," Yoshida wrote. "Unless a game is specifically programmed to allow such use of PS Vita." Rather making the PS4 compatible with Vita straight out of the box, Sony developers would need to take that extra step to "specifically program" the Vita for any given game.

That last bit of news is rather depressing. Similar to the camera, there's going to be a very small amount of developers that would actually take the time to implement Vita's use. What's missed is a golden opportunity to copy what Nintendo's Wii U can do.

The Vita could easily become an extra controller, especially when it has a place for a touchpad like the DualShock 4 has. No, LED light does not shine anywhere on the Vita, but how much will that matter if the camera is a peripheral sold separately?

Sony could also cut a break to gamers that actually decided to purchase the Vita. An extra controller would save them $60, which is what the MSRP will be on DS4. Prices for the DS3 were similar (around $50-60) when the PS3 first came out.

It's further proof that Sony is abandoning the Vita, and it would be a surprise if the handheld could actually stream any PS4 game.

[Source: NBC News]
[Image credit: Flickr/Jung-nam Nam]

PlayStation 4 Controller Could Drain Unnecessary Battery Life

Perhaps one of my biggest gripes about the upcoming console for the PlayStation 4 is the controller. Not the redesign, which actually looks pretty comfortable and snazzy with the much-needed new triggers, but the LED-light sensor that may prove to be completely unnecessary.

Shuhei Yoshida, president of Sony's Worldwide Studios, is somebody who actually responds to general people over Twitter. While he may not elaborate, we were able to find out some new information on the lightbar that may be rendered useless in many games now that the camera is not included with every PlayStation 4 unit.

@DN_pro no
— Shuhei Yoshida (@yosp) July 5, 2013

@nanakifirelight yes
— Shuhei Yoshida (@yosp) July 9, 2013

Here's what I don't understand: If developers can choose not to even bother with using the lightbar, then why isn't there an option for users to turn it off? This further proves how useless the lightbar will become for developers; it's the next generation's version of SIXAXIS. Here's what we know about how the lightbar will be used currently.

If multiple Dual-Shocks are connected to the PlayStation 4, the Lightbar will change colour to indicate which controller is assigned to which player. The player one controller will glow blue, player two's will glow red, player three's green and player four's pink. The Lightbar will also be used for in-game functions; in Killzone: Shadow Fall, which IBTimes UK recently play-tested, the Lightbar changes colour to indicate the player's health.

Except the worse part about the lightbar is that the SIXAXIS at least didn't drain battery life. With a next-to-useless light always on, it's doubtful that players will get the 15 or so hours they were able to get with a DualShock 3.

There's no reason for Sony to exclude an option to turn the lightbar off. Hopefully developers will implement an option to turn it off in their games, and maybe Sony will give us the opportunity to turn the damn thing off on the system unless they will actually use it along with the camera.

Considering the company's history of abandoning products, I'm not giving my hopes up.

[Source: IBTimes UK]
[Image credit: Flickr/William Hook]

A Close Look and Reactions to DualShock 4 at E3

One of the benefits of being at the Electronics Entertainment Expo this year is literally getting a hands-on preview of the PlayStation 4 console that's coming out later this year. Everyone's intrigued about some of the new design choices on the DualShock 4, and more importantly, how does it actually feel?

At first glance, a huge touchscreen in the middle of the controller is the obvious difference, and the grips on both sides seem a little more spread apart and longer than the DualShock 3.

Looking further at the device, there's plenty of improvement from its predecessor. The directional pad and buttons are now in a concave, providing a better feel going around the d-pad and selecting the four buttons. Both L2 and R2 triggers have more of a springing action that could make shooters like Call of Duty flip the top trigger-button layout.

Both analog sticks seem to be a little closer providing a split-second faster response to the other buttons. The touchscreen also can click into the controller, and a "share" and "option" button on the sides of the touchscreen replace the traditional "start" and "select" buttons.

Unfortunately I won't be able to get a feel for one until a kiosk opens up in a local store, but here is plenty of reaction from other journalists that made the trip to Los Angeles. It's generally favorable, with some gripes about the newly-designed thumbsticks.

Kotaku (video impressions):



Engadget: "...the DualShock 4 felt great. It's light, responsive, and comfortable -- the new thumbsticks with convex tops cradle your thumbs, and the triggers easily hold your pointer fingers. As for the face buttons, things are nigh identical with previous DualShock iterations. The standard ex / triangle / circle / square combo remains, and looks just about the same as on the DualShock 3. Though the touchpad didn't have any in-game effect in DriveClub, the pad is easily clickable and not too far from your thumbs to quickly jump from face buttons to it."

VG 24/7: "The shoulder buttons have been reshaped, and they’re made from hard plastic. The triggers are significantly better than DS3’s. My biggest gripe with the current pad is the lack of lip on the triggers: my fingers always feel as though they’re about to slip off, especially in driving games where you’re constantly using the 'gas,' as they say in America. This has been changed with DS4, so the trigger feels like a trigger. It has a hooked lip. It’s much better.

"I’m not convinced by the rims on the analog sticks. The current versions are rounded with a bubbled grip, but the new sticks have a ringed indentation which I found irritating after only a few games of Driveclub. It just felt 'there'. You’ll get used to it over time, I guess."

Dvice: "The DualShock 4 controller is a complete redesign from the DualShock 3. The controller is less cramped and more comfortable to hold thanks to rounder grips and analogs that sit wider apart. The new convex edges on the analogs did a good job keeping my thumbs in place, but I still think the Xbox One's micro-texturized grip edges on the thumb sticks feel more superior. ...Overall, the DualShock 4 is a huge improvement, and with a built-in mono speaker and headset socket, Sony's finally caught up to both the Wii Remote and the Xbox 360 gamepad."

[Image credit: Flickr/faseextra]