It feels like we have been waiting a mini-age for it and
now, but the PS4 has landed (in the US at least). Eight years after the black,
monolithic PS3 console entered our lives, its successor has launched in the US
with a PS4 UK release date set for 29 November.
The console, DualShock 4 controller and PS4 launch games
have been covered extensively, but what are the less obvious things you ought
to know before you hand over your cash? We answer your PS4 questions in our PS4
FAQ.
1. You can't use
DLNA or play MP3s, but you can stream music...
The PS4 can play standard Blu-ray discs and DVDs but
currently does not support MP3 playback or streaming via DLNA. A post-launch
update will apparently rectify this, but there is a way you can replace the
rattling of gunfire with a more soothing soundtrack. Using Sony’s audio
streaming service Music Unlimited you can manually turn off game audio and
replace it with something from Sony's extensive music catalogue, though you
will have to pay for the privilege.
2. The PlayStation app for PS4 will actually be useful
Available to download for free on iOS devices like the
iPhone 5S and Android tablets like the Nexus 7 2, Sony has updated its
PlayStation app with the arrival of the PS4. It's currently a pretty useless
app, but with the PS4 you can use your phone or tablet as a keyboard (while on
the same Wi-Fi connection), access the PS4 manual and system guide, watch
friends gaming live and get Smartglass-style second screen integration. Best of
all, you can remotely download games so when you get home, they are ready to
play.
3. You can play PS4 games on your PS Vita (but not the other
way round)
Remote Play using the PlayStation Vita was introduced on the
PS3 with just handful of games, but with the PS4 you should be able to play
almost every game on the Sony portable. It will only work inside your home,
before you get any ideas of walking down the street playing next-gen FIFA 14.
Once you've downloaded the PS4 Link app to your Vita you can play games you’ve
purchased on the PS4 straight on your PS Vita. For controls assigned to the
unique Dualshock 4 features like clickable buttons, they will be replaced by
either the Vita’s touchscreen or rear controls.
4. You can play PS4 games before they have finished
downloading
Ideal for people who can’t stomach those achingly long
download times, the PS4's new PlayGo feature will let you start your game
before it’s been completely downloaded. For example, if you are downloading a
digital version of Call of Duty: Ghosts, you will be able to choose whether you
want to play the campaign or multiplayer mode. Depending on what you choose,
the PS4 will proceed to download the data you need to get playing.
5. Online gaming is no longer free
On the PS3, online gaming was a free-for-all, but on the PS4
you will need to pay up if you want to get spanked at Battlefield 4 or Call of
Duty by an 11-year old from the other side of the world. PlayStation Plus
subscriptions cost £5.49 per month or £39.99 a year and you’ll require just one
to cover all PlayStation consoles. Existing PS Plus memberships will carry over
to the PlayStation 4 and to entice you to sign up, Sony will be offering a new
game each month. A subscription also adds the ability to download game updates
when then console is and on standby and get access to 1GB of cloud saves game
data.
4. You can play PS4 games before they have finished
downloading
Ideal for people who can’t stomach those achingly long
download times, the PS4's new PlayGo feature will let you start your game
before it’s been completely downloaded. For example, if you are downloading a
digital version of Call of Duty: Ghosts, you will be able to choose whether you
want to play the campaign or multiplayer mode. Depending on what you choose,
the PS4 will proceed to download the data you need to get playing.
5. Online gaming is no longer free
On the PS3, online gaming was a free-for-all, but on the PS4
you will need to pay up if you want to get spanked at Battlefield 4 or Call of
Duty by an 11-year old from the other side of the world. PlayStation Plus
subscriptions cost £5.49 per month or £39.99 a year and you’ll require just one
to cover all PlayStation consoles. Existing PS Plus memberships will carry over
to the PlayStation 4 and to entice you to sign up, Sony will be offering a new
game each month. A subscription also adds the ability to download game updates
when then console is and on standby and get access to 1GB of cloud saves game
data.
7. You can stop your kids from playing Call of Duty and
violent films
If you are planning to share the PS4 with the entire
household, Sony has now added the ability to add restrictions on content if you
don’t want the little ones to be playing Call of Duty. This also covers setting
content restrictions for what Blu-ray discs people can watch, what apps they
can access and which websites they can land on in the web browser.
8. You can use voice commands without the PS Eye
One of the ways Sony has managed to keep the price of the
console down lower than the Xbox One is by leaving the PS Eye camera out of the
box. That's not to say you will have to immediately pay out around £55 for one
as the DualShock 4 controller has a built-in mic and will offer some
Kinect-style voice control for the PS4.
9. PS4 game updates and downloads can run in the background
One of our biggest gripes with the PS3 was having to sit
through numerous game updates and software downloads, sometimes for hours. The
good news is that Sony has introduced the ability to do all of this boring
stuff in the background leaving you to get on with something more interesting
than looking at a loading bar slowly making progress.
10. You can sell and share your games
One of the biggest talking points of the next-gen console
war has been the stance Microsoft and Sony have taken on the pre-owned games
market. Sony made a very big deal at its E3 2013 press conference about not
abandoning second-hand gamers, brilliantly summed by this video. The recently
updated version of the Sony Entertainment network terms of service appeared to
contradict this, but Sony Worldwide Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida reiterated via
Twitter that you can sell and share PS4 discs just like you can with the PS3.
Other PS4 features to look out for:
You can log into any
PS4 to access games, make purchases as long as you are signed in.
The PS4 is not region locked which means you will be able to
play games bought in other countries like the US.
There’s a Suspend mode making it easier to jump in and out
of games.
The PS4 uses a 2.5-inch laptop-style 500GB hard drive that
can be replaced and upgraded. It’s held in place with head-screws so you will
need a screwdriver to get access to it.
The PS4 will support USB and Bluetooth keyboards and mouse.
For USB peripherals, simply hook them into the front-facing USB ports. For
Bluetooth accessories, you can activate them in the Settings menu inside the
Dynamic menu.
The 'Game DVR' feature will capture 15 minutes of gameplay
and let you edit video and take screenshots
The 11 PS4 launch apps include Netflix, Crackle and Sony’s
Music and Video Unlimited services
There’s a headset and a HDMI cable already packaged with the
PS4 console
The Dualshock 4 controller can be charged when the console
is in sleep mode.
The DualShock 4 controller can work with some PS3 games
including GTA V, Tomb Raider and Skyrim
You don't have to always be connected to the internet to
play PS4 games.
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