New PS4 Update Detailed, Will Bring External HDD Support

Sony has detailed the features coming in the PlayStation 4's next firmware update, which is codenamed "Sasuke."

Update 4.50 will introduce external hard drive support, allowing external storage that supports USB 3.0 to be recognised by the console. According to the official PlayStation Blog, hard drives of up to 8TB are compatible; you'll also be able to download and install directly to them.

Custom wallpapers will also be added as part of the update, so you can "set your favorite in-game screenshot as the background image for PS4's home screen." Effects such as drop-shadows on text and dimmed function area will "help keep the system icons and texts on the home screen clearly visible even if the background image you selected is super bright." Screenshots can be edited in the Sharefactory to be further customised.

The quick menu, which is accessed by holding down the PS button on the PS4's controller, will also be refreshed to "make it even more accessible." It will cover less of the gameplay screen and give players quicker access to Party features.

The notification list has been simplified: it is now a single list that surfaces information on game alerts, downloads, uploads. Additionally, the ability to post directly into the Activity Feed has also been added.

Finally, the update will let 3D movies to be viewable in stereoscopic 3D using the PlayStation VR headset.

Sony has said there "are more features included in [update] 4.50," and it will have "additional info, including launch timing, in the weeks to come."

On February 2, Sony announced it shipped 9.7 million PS4 consoles in the three months spanning October 1 to December 31, 2016. This is an improvement over the same period in 2015, when it shipped 8.4 million units.