PS4 System Software 4.00 Will Feature Folders, UI Refresh
Sony today provided a glimpse at some of the new aspects of the PS4 v4.00 system software. Currently available as a beta version, the firmware refreshes the system UI, adds tools for organization, updates the Quick Menu, and much more.
Sony has made a lot of adjustments and improvements to PS4’s main user interface. That includes some changes you may notice right away, like new system backgrounds and a revised What’s New tab, to smaller changes like updated popup notifications and redesigned system icons. As a whole, it all adds up to a more refined and easy to use UI. The overall look and feel of the UI remains the same - it just has a fresh coat of paint.
Pressing and holding the PS button on your DualShock 4 brings up the Quick Menu. Sony has overhauled this menu to make it faster to use. One big change is that the menu now only covers a portion of the screen, meaning you don’t need to leave gameplay entirely.
Sony has added several new items to the Quick Menu, letting you get info without having to back to the home screen. You can see the online status of your friends, and shortcuts to quickly access your Party, Favorite Groups, Communities, and more. You can also customize the Quick Menu, removing or adding items as you see fit.
Sony's software engineers have given a similar overhaul to the Share Menu, which appears once you press the Share button on your DualShock 4. Like the Quick Menu, it only covers a portion of the screen. It will save the last social network you shared video clips or screenshots to, making the process of sharing a screenshot or video a bit faster and more streamlined.
With this update, Sony is also adding functionality to create folders on PS4’s content launcher and Library. This will help collect your favorite games and select apps in one place for quick and easy access.
Sony is also making some big changes to the Library. A new tab called Purchased has been added, which will show all of the content you own - games, applications, demos, and betas you’ve participated in. As a result, the Games and Applications tabs focus on content currently installed on your system.
There are some new sorting tools for your Library as well. You’ll be able to sort content by purchase date or install status, and search for specific games and apps via text input.
In addition, this update brings the ability to view the Trophy offline. You’ll see a new "offline mode" option if your system is unable to connect to the network, letting you view your entire Trophy collection without an Internet connection.
Sony has also added a button that will let you view the content of a Hidden Trophy. The Trophy will still be hidden by default, but you can now choose to show the Trophy name and info.
Lastly, Sony is changing the icons that show how rare a Trophy is. Instead of four boxes that fill, the icon looks like a pyramid with the ultra-rare Trophies at the top.
The update has even more features that won’t be available in the beta. Sony did not disclose when the final 4.00 version will be released.