Sony announced in a blog post published on Wednesday the release of a software update to the PlayStation 5 operating system. The update includes a slew of new functionality like support for Dolby Atmos-capable audio devices and support for large-capacity solid state drives.
In addition, Sony has included new accessibility features in this release, designed to accommodate for cognition and sensory integration needs.
“With the holiday season and a new wave of exciting game releases approaching, today we’re pleased to roll out an all-new PS5 system software update globally. Thanks to support from our beta participants, this update includes a number of features from the latest PS5 beta,” Hideaki Nishino, senior vice president of platform experience at Sony Interactive Entertainment, wrote today in the post’s introduction.
In terms of accessibility, Sony has added two new features. The first, called Use a Second Controller for Assistance, allows users to, as the name implies, assigning a second DualSense controller to one account as an assistive device. This means both controllers can control the console as though there were a single controller. With a second controller, it’s now possible for a parent, for example, to jump in and join their child’s game to help them through a difficult level or navigate inscrutable aspects of a game. The second feature, System UI Haptic Feedback, adds haptic feedback when navigating the PS5 system. In augmenting system sound effects, haptic feedback will trigger when reaching the end of a scrollable list or when checking a checkbox, for example. According to Sony, the addition of bimodal sensory input “enhances immersion” and is beneficial to people with certain visual and/or hearing disabilities.
News of this update, then in beta, was reported by me in late July.
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