Get to know update 4.50

Refresh PS4 inside and out with the new firmware

STEp 1 BOOST YOUR STORAGE AND POWER

Normally, I make a point of only ever praying to deities at least 50% of the way through surgery. Nevertheless, let’s all drop to our knees for a quiet moment to thank whatever’s up there for the latest firmware update’s external HDD support.

Yep, it’s all the Doc’s nefarious dreams come true: extra space in which to stick random junk that probably doesn’t even need to be there. Up to 8TB, in fact. Simply grab your hard drive and pop its USB 3.0 cable into your console. Head to Settings>Devices>USB Storage Devices, and you should see ‘Extended Storage’ appear below standard ‘System Storage’.

And if, like yours truly, you’re a Pro individual, there’s even more. Found under ‘System’ exclusively on PS4 Pro, Boost Mode can bump up the framerates of games released before Sony’s newest console came on the scene.

STEp 2 GIVE YOUR PS4 HOME SCREEN A FACELIFT

But we all know it’s what’s on the outside that matters most, which, incidentally, is why I like to perform “snoozy surgery” on my sleeping bedfellows. (Just call me the Midnight Medic!)

Fortunately, the new addition of custom wallpapers for the home screen takes care of that. Whizz on over to Settings, then Themes, and you’ll find a ‘Custom’ option. Here, you’ll be able to select one of your in-game screenshots and set it as the background for your new theme. Perhaps a beautiful Horizon Zero Dawn action shot? A sweeping sci-fi vista from No Man’s Sky? Or a gory ball-popping freeze-frame from Sniper Elite 4?

Whatever you choose, know that you can also go ahead and select ‘Make Function Area Dim’ in the menu. This’ll add drop-shadow to home screen text and keep system icons visible, even if your chosen snap is super-bright.

STEp 3 BE MORE SOCIAL WITH THE ACTIVITY FEED

Here’s an interesting idea: PlayStation’s very own social media platform. Once merely a passive vessel for every bronze trophy you never so much as glanced at, the Activity Feed gets a new lease of life. You can post text updates to it, set your screenshots to appear in your friends’ ‘What’s New’ section and even tag your mates. I do enjoy a good tagging. Well, mainly a good toe-tagging.

You and your pals can take advantage of the revamped Quick Menu, too: hit that PS button to manage parties while in-game. Rather digi-fame and cyberfortune than pointless things like friendship? Send screens to ‘Live From PlayStation’ as a public activity for all the world to see. (Related note: I’m told drunken stretcher-surfing isn’t an “appropriate” sight for the eyes of the many. Gah.)