Summary
A new system software update has just been made available forPlayStation 5users. Weighing in at just 1.3GB, users shouldn’t expect many new features from this update, but it does make an important change to thePS5’sActivity cards function.
As far as firmware updates go, the past two months have been rather lively for PS5 owners. In early September, Sony issued update 24.06-10.00.00 for the PS5, which introduced the new welcome hub, personalized 3D audio profiles, adaptive charging for controllers, and more. Unfortunately, users who installed the update reportedmajor graphical issues when runningFinal Fantasy 16on PS5, which were resolved about eight days later with a new update.
Over a month has passed since then, and Sony has now updated the PS5 firmware to version 24.07-10.20.00. This is quite a light update as it only focuses on improving theActivities cards sub-menu in the PS5’s UI. These game-specific tiles allow players to dive into specific missions, game modes, multiplayer playlists, etc. right from the PS5’s control center, which can be accessed by pressing the PlayStation logo button on the DualSense controller. Starting a game from its Activity card can entirely skip splash screens as well.
ThePS5’s Activity cards can be a nifty way to save timethen, and update 24.07-10.20.00 slightly improves them by adding labels that display “In Progress,” “Not Started,” or “Completed,” depending on the player’s progress in a particular activity. Making the process of tracking progress for missions or game modes just a bit more frictionless, that too without revealing any potential spoilers, is a welcome change for PS5 users who use Activity cards often. Beyond this, the update brings the usual improved system performance and stability.
Sony has undoubtedly added a plethora of useful features and optimizations to the PS5 via system software updates over the years, nearly ticking off everything fans wanted to see on the console. However,custom system-level themes continue to elude the PS5, despite the feature being present on the PS3 and PS4. With the PS5 already halfway through its lifecycle, many are questioning what’s taking Sony so long to add themes to the console. One can only hope the feature arrives in a PS5 firmware update in the near future.
PlayStation 5
Sony’s PlayStation 5 is part of the ninth console generation and debuted with a launch lineup that included Demon’s Souls and Astro’s Playroom. The console comes with a Blu-ray disc, although a digital-only edition is also available for a cheaper price.
