PS5 beta – new firmware includes Dolby Atmos and 8TB SSD support
Sony has released a new PS5 beta firmware to select users this week, bringing with it some long-awaited quality-of-life updates.
PS5 beta firmware is going out to select users later today, and unlike the last PS5 update, this new firmware actually brings some meaningful changes to the platform. New features include 3D audio support for Dolby Atmos-enabled devices, 8TB drive support and a host of quality-of-life features.
Select PlayStation owners who have signed up for the system software beta programme will be receiving invites to test out the latest PS5 beta firmware later today. Here are five things that have been added in the latest PS5 beta software update.
PS5 Dolby Atmos support
3D audio was touted as one of the PS5's crowning features ahead of its launch in 2020, with the feature only being available through supported headphones. Now, almost three years on, we finally have the option to take advantage of 3D audio without headphones thanks to the new PS5 Dolby Atmos support.
Dolby Atmos-enabled HDMI devices like soundbars, home theatre systems and TVs can now take advantage of the PS5's 3D audio capabilities with the latest PS5 beta firmware.
PSVR 2 is already losing to the Meta Quest 2 in the VR headset battle
PS5 8TB SSD support
Perhaps the biggest addition in the new PS5 beta firmware is that expandable storage limits have been doubled from the previous 4TB M.2 SSD limit to 8TB. While you're unlikely to need that much storage for your PS5 unless you simply refuse to delete anything, you can now throw an 8TB NVMe drive into your PS5 console. Considering the cheapest 8TB M2 drive I can see is double the price of the PS5 console itself, I can't imagine many taking advantage of this, but it's nice to have!
For some cheaper options, you can check out our cheap PS5 SSD deals, and if you've already got one, here's a handy guide explaining how to install a PS5 SSD.
Quality of life and accessibility features
This PS5 beta firmware update adds some new quality-of-life features to make navigating the PS5 that much easier. The most prominent of these is the 'System UI Haptic Feedback' which uses the haptics in the PS5's Dualsense (or Dualsense Edge) to work alongside the sound effects such as 'reaching the end limit of a scrollable section, checking a box, or when you receive a notification or boot up a game'. This feature is designed for players with visual or hearing issues and gives them a new way to receive feedback from the console.
One of the other new changes in the PS5 beta firmware is the ability to add a second controller to act as a single controller. With this two players can control the same things through separate controllers, this feature is designed for younger players who may need help getting past difficult sections in games. It also works for games which have players passing one controller for multiplayer.
The iconic PlayStation beep which has greeted you when turning on the console since the PS3 era can now also have the volume lowered or be turned off completely.
PS5 Library search
One of the best new features included in the PS5 beta firmware has to be the ability to search your library. Since the library on PS5 brings over all of your PS4 games, with the current cataloguing features it can take a while to find the game you want to play if it doesn't start with A or Z. Thankfully this latest update has a simple solution, allowing you to search for the titles you want to play.
This feature will be available at the top of the library page on your PS5, and thankfully it will populate as you type so you don't need to type out 'Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue' in full to find it.
Improved social features
PS5's social features aren't the most intuitive in my experience, thankfully Sony is targeting this with the latest PS5 beta firmware. Joining a friends game is being made much easier, as an icon is being added to your friends list for players who can be joined. You'll be able to join them by pressing the options button on their profile, or a new 'Join' button on their profile card.
This update also adds the ability to react with an emoji to messages, perfect for when you can't be bothered typing out a reply in the group chat. Speaking of, you can now invite players to a party without adding the said player to a group or making a new one. When someone is sharing their screen in the party you'll also get a preview of this before joining the group.
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