PlayStation 4 OS Update Packed With New Features

The official PlayStation blog was updated on Monday with news that the console's operating system will be updated to v2.00 "Masamune" starting on Tuesday. The blog also notes that the PlayStation Vita and PlayStation TV will get an update (v3.35) as well as the PlayStation App (v2.0).

According to Sony, the Masamune update will bring a new PlayStation Plus feature called Share Play. This allows PS4 owners to create an online local co-op game that invited friends can join even if he/she does not own the game. Users can share a screen with their friend, virtually hand over the game controller to the friend and watch him/her play, or both can play the game at the same time. Again, the friend does not need to download or own the game.

The new PlayStation 4 update also brings YouTube integration so that when the user chooses "SHARE" on the DualShock 4 controller, the user can quickly upload a video straight from the console. Sony is also launching a separate YouTube app that can be downloaded from the PlayStation Store. As for Live from PlayStation, this service now includes archived broadcast support, new search filters and more.

The update will add a new feature to the news feed called "What's New." This will add Friends of Friends suggestions and Live Broadcasting updates to the top of the list. There's also a new USB Music Player that allows PS4 console owners to plug in their USB drive and play their music in the background. The Content Area is even redesigned and features a better filter and sort functions.

In addition to those new features, Masamune brings the ability to dress up the user interface with themes and colors. For starters, on Tuesday Sony will provide themes based on Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare and Destiny. This release serves as a big "thank you" from Sony to the "PlayStation Nation."

In September, the PlayStation 4 was the top-selling console for the ninth month in a row in the United States. Destiny, which is on both PlayStation consoles and both Xbox consoles, ranked as the number-one game, followed by Madden NFL 15 (#2) and FIFA 15 (#3). Other PlayStation 4 games on the list include Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor (#5), NHL 15 (#6), Disney Infinity 2.0 (#9) and Diablo III: Reaper of Souls (#10).

As for the PlayStation TV and PlayStation Vita update, Sony has added 4-player Remote Play for the set-top box as well as the Live from PlayStation app. Once the update goes live, gamers can see what will be new to the PlayStation table by heading right here.

"This has been an amazing first year for PS4 so far, with more than 10 million units sold and a robust set of new features already added including SHAREfactory, automatic pre-download, and more," the blog said. "We are pleased to see the great feedback we've been getting from fans like you, which helps us to make PS4 the best place to play."

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