The release of PlayStation 4 firmware update v2.00 had a bit of everything: drama, excitement, and, of course, a spot of PlayStation Network downtime. Still, with the good ship Sony well and truly steadied, and all of our tutorials penned, we figured that we should milk this mahoosive operating system overhaul with one last article. Please forgive us, then, regular readers, as we're about to round up everything that you need to know about today's big software refresh.
Guides
Guide: How to Use Share Play on the PS4
There are a ton of great additions available as part of PlayStation 4 firmware update v2.00, but Share Play is without a doubt the headline feature. This nifty tool allows you to create a kind of virtual couch environment, which enables you to “pass the controller" to an online friend, essentially allowing them to take control of your game.
Guide: How to Use the PS4's USB Music Player
When the PlayStation 4 launched a little less than a year ago, it was missing some key multimedia functions. One such absentee was the ability to play custom audio during games. While background music was available via the platform holder's streaming service Music Unlimited, it's taken until the addition of PS4 firmware update v2.00 to allow you to play your own tunes. So, how does it all work, then?
Other Guides
- Guide: How to Change Your PS4's Background Colour
- Guide: How to Change Your PS4's Theme
- Guide: How to Access the PS4's YouTube Application
- Guide: How to Increase the Number of Apps Displayed on the PS4's Home Screen
- Guide: How to Upload PS4 Share Clips to YouTube
Features
Feature: What Do the PS4's First Free Dynamic Themes Look Like?
Sony may have introduced the ability for you to change the PlayStation 4's background colour as part of PS4 firmware update v2.00, but it's also added dynamic themes to the mix. While these aren't available in North America or Europe at the time of typing, a couple of free animated backgrounds can be downloaded in Japan – and, if you don't have time to create a new account, we've taken some screenshots to show you what they look like.
Feature: What's New in PS4 Firmware Update 2.00?
Well, that was a short evening. This editor was just about to put his feet up, but Sony has released details regarding the PlayStation 4's hotly anticipated firmware update v2.00 – and let us tell you, this is a real humdinger. It may be months in the making, but the software refresh – which was originally announced at Gamescom 2014 all the way back in August – comes packing a plethora of fan demanded features, including USB music playback, themes, and much more. Let's take a look at what's new...
Patch Notes
What are your thoughts on PS4 firmware update v2.00 so far? Are you satisfied with the new features and functionality, or are you frustrated that the system's still missing key bullet points? Rant and rave in the comments section below.
How would you rate PS4 firmware update v2.00? (39 votes)
- Very good
- Good
- Average
- Poor
- Very poor
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Comments 24
Nothing really special for me, I still feel most of this content should have been available from launch and the fact I still have no dlna option baffles me.
I'm happy to get youtube support. that's probably about the only good thing for me on this update. i like being able to change the background too i guess. I want the ability to be able to pause my game, switch to another app or put the system in standby and then go right back to where i was instantly like i can on my Vita. i remember them saying this will be an option when they first introduced the system but have heard nothing sence. it's a option on the vita why cant they do it on the ps4?
I've been having problems with trying to turn back on my system when I put it in sleep mode. But everything else is good.
Edit: Also I still want friend notifications when a friend comes online! Come on the Vita and PS3 has this feature!
Downloaded and worked like a charm for me.
I need better themes though.
I've never really been too fussed regarding firmware updates as I've got so many devices that can do things I'd need that if the Ps4 launched and all it did was just play games I'd be happy enough. But that's just me. Looking forward to trying out the Share Play feature with this update, as soon as I can find someone who'll want to play some split screen coop on Plants vs Zombies. It's a little odd that nowhere has made any fuss regarding Share Play seen as it's something I'd consider to be a next gen feature, still can't believe that themes has actually had more coverage than Share Play to be honest
So far I only checked out the Youtube app and am enjoying watching AVGN on the big screen. Going to play with themes and colors in a bit here.
YouTube, themes, and the ability to pause downloads. Sony gave me everything I wanted with this update and I'm very happy with it. Now go update the PSN servers and I will have no reason to ever gripe about my ps4.
Voted good, i like the major additions, and really like the little touches as well. What kept it from being very good was pretty simple stuff that i wont use but know many are waiting for. Mp3 to hard drive support, we only have 2 usbs sony, and mine is occupied by a charging cable and headset cable. Dlna support, because people want to stream their family videos . An ability to appear offline, or set your status to private, some of us have had our friends list explode from destiny raids, and have guilty conscience when we ignor an invite to help someone in a raid. Oh and can i change my name please without saying goodbye to my trophies and digital games? That would also be nice.
Still waiting on a better system of organization....that's all I've been asking for since the beginning. Every other console has a way to create and organize your games into folders, even the 3DS and Wii U, and we all know how far behind Nintendo is when it comes to that sort of thing. Get it together, Sony. They might as well not have even done anything to the home screen because it's exactly the same disorganized mess where we have to scroll across your recently played games to find anything.
I though half the point of this update was to clean up my applications bar? You can choose to have the last 15 things you used there, or all of it. Ridiculous! Give me a game folder, with all the games I've downloaded.. not the library with every game I CAN download. Plus now I have people's stupid video feeds front and center on my whats new screen... I rather hate this update so far and I am quite the PS enthusiast.
I've actually rated it poor, at least for now.
My home page seems to be broken and buggy. A couple of times now all the content doesn't load below the main tiles (such as the 'what's new' content or the info on a game).
Also sometimes if it does load the cursor isn't visible and I can't get back to the main area. None of the buttons do anything.
I like the new features but so far the 2.0 update has buggered my PS4...
the new features are pretty good so far except one thing at least for me, the youtube upload feature doesn't work any one else having this problem?
@MadchesterManc I will play PvZ! Favourite game on PS4!
This still doesn't tickle me, I wanna copy my music, movies on my HDD then il be happy but other whys 👎
@NAZA-187 As much as this is a good idea, I personally would like all the space on my PS4 dedicated to games, not music. You can pick up 1TB portable HDD for about £40 in the UK so that is what I will be doing
@ZeD sorry homie that's u an not me, an don't get me wrong the update is 👍 but I like watching movies to an I have a 2TB in my ps that's why I'm digital to but wanna watch an play games an movies on the same drive
I thought the fact that this was version "2" would mean it might actually include some big changes / improvements. IMO this is just a point release - definitely not worthy of a whole number increment!
I'd like to say I'm looking forward to version 3 (or whatever comes next) but I think I'll just focus on the upcoming games now (such as GTA V) and not pin any hopes on Sony adding any significant new features to the PS4's OS.
BTW I still don't know if I can pause downloads (I'm at work at the moment). Has anyone tried this?
@NAZA-187 Ahhh that makes sense. If I had a 2TB in mine (only have the 500gb) then yes I would want my music on there
@ZeD oyeah..... 😚💨💨💨💨
@XFsWorld I have also had these problems with taking the PS4 out of sleep mode. Looks like we'll be looking at PS4 firmware 2.0.1 soon...
@Pipr You can.
Excellent (thanks!)
Thought it was a good update no real problems so far only the YouTube App i can't sign into + Can't save Game play videos to YouTube to still. USB MP3 player is cool & will do for now + the Folder bit is o.k & erm will do for now
@NAZA-187 Me too. Until I can put a music cd in and play it I will regard my PS4 as an unfinished product that was rushed out before it was ready. This is something that any device that spins a disk and uses a laser should be able to do at this point.
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