New accessibility and audio options featured in PS5’s latest system software beta

Beginning today, Sony is rolling out its latest PlayStation 5 system software beta. It introduces a host of new features that enhance the console’s accessibility and audio options, in addition to a few other tweaks. For now, beta access is limited to invited players in select countries, though Sony plans to release the update globally this year.

Sony upgrades its audio and accessibility

As the PlayStation blog post reveals, Sony is taking steps to improve the console’s accessibility. The beta release allows players to use a second DualSense controller for assistance. With this, you could help a friend by taking over some of the controls, or maybe assist a child through a particularly hard part of a game without robbing them of the gaming experience.

The update also allows the console’s Tempest 3D AudioTech to render to Dolby Atmos-enabled HDMI devices, including TVs, soundbars, and home theatre systems. With this feature, players will have more ways to enjoy the PS5’s immersive 3D audio.

Other features included in the latest PS5 system software beta

Improvements have been made to various other aspects of the PS5’s system software. Expect quite a few enhancements to the social features, including the following:

• Share Screen preview: If someone is using Share Screen in a party you can enter, you can now preview their Share Screen before entering.
• Emoji reactions to messages: Instead of typing a response, you can react to a message with an emoji.
• Party UI update: Players can be invited to a closed party without automatically adding the player to the group or creating a new group.
• Game Hub tournaments tile: In the game hub, you can now see how many tournaments you’ve entered and the highest place you’ve achieved.
• Join a friend’s game more easily: The [Friends] tab now shows which friends are in activities you can join.

Players struggling with storing all their games will be happy to know that with the update, you’ll be able to use an M.2 SSD with a maximum capacity of 8TB (up from the previous 4TB limit). There are plenty of other minor improvements. For example, you can search for games in your library and mute the beep sound the console makes when it turns on. The Game Help cards have also been improved.

This software update comes at a time when Sony is also preparing to release new hardware accessories for the consoles. This includes the streaming device codenamed Q and blue earbuds that promise to bring lossless audio with low latency.