The PS4 vs. Xbox One battle is being waged not just on sales and software, it seems, but even on firmware updates. On April 30, Sony will release PS4 Update 1.70, a major update to the PS4 firmware and operating system that includes a bevy of new updates.
Sony’s PS4 update 1.70 comes just weeks after Microsoft’s own recent Xbox One system update, which was treated with the same amount of fanfare. The fact that both the Xbox One and PS4 system updates are even gaining the attention of both companies’ respective PR teams shows just how competitive the home-console space has become. Even if Sony is demolishing Microsoft in the PS4 vs Xbox One sales department by almost a 2-1 margin.
In both companies’ defense, these system updates are pretty impressive. For instance, asking “what’s included in PS4 update 1.70?” elicits a rather impressive laundry list of features. Some of the changes are both meaty and meaningful while others seem to be more of the housekeeping variety.
You can decide for yourself which is which. Here’s the full list of PS4 Update 1.70 improvements slated to go live on April 30.
SHAREfactory — To understand how important social sharing is to both consoles, look no further than Sony’s creation of a free SHAREfactory app and the incorporation of its icon right on the PS4 home screen. SHAREfactory allows PS4 owners to edit any captured gameplay video with special effects, video commentary with picture-in-picture capability using the PlayStation Camera, then add a custom soundtrack using the included audio tracks or any original music imported from a USB drive. Once the video is complete, PS4 owners can upload them to Facebook or export them to an external USB storage device. (See the video below.)
Speaking of videos and USB storage, another feature of PS4 Update 1.70 is a new USB export option for captured gameplay footage. By clicking the “Share” button on the DualShock 4 controller, players will be able to save their gameplay footage to a USB drive.
For the broadcasters among you, the new system update also includes live broadcasting in 720p HD as well as archiving support on both Twitch and Ustream.
Sony has implemented a number of new Share options as well, including:
- Change the default gameplay recording time in the SHARE menu under Video Clip Settings
- Save only the video clips and screenshots you want by selecting Upload Screenshots or Upload Video Clips for each capture. Also upload video clips and screenshots during your live gameplay broadcasts
- Select specific Facebook audiences to share each video or screenshot with
One of the coolest features of the new PS4 update 1.70 is a new Automatic Pre-download setting. Using this new setting, you can have your PS4 automatically download select pre-ordered games several days prior to their release date so it’s ready to play immediately on launch day. One really nice touch about this feature is a new countdown timer that shows when the game will be ready to play.
The list of what’s included in PS4 update 1.70 goes on, so get comfy. Here’s the rundown:
- Option to Disable HDCP for Games
- New DualShock 4 light-bar brightness settings and touchpad navigation of the on-screen keyboard
- The ability to search “Friends of your Friends,” view Mutual Friends from another PS4 owner’s profile and accept Friend requests directly from the Friends list
- The ability to sort Trophies by rarity
- An Alternative Payment Methods (APMs) for PS4 that enables PS4 owners to use PayPal to pay for PS Store content
- More voice commands for the PlayStation Camera allowing you to launch apps using your voice
- A New PS Plus icon (this is totally in the “UI housecleaning” camp)
- The ability to share songs via Music Unlimited using the DualShock 4’s share button
So there you have it, the full list of PS4 update 1.70 features. Now here’s a video telling more about how the PS4 SHAREfactory works.