There’s no denying that Sony’s dynamic background for the PS5 looks cool, especially as it changes based on the game or app you’ve highlighted, but the lack of customisation is a downer.
That’s where its rival Xbox shines by giving players the option to choose from a variety of game art, colours, and custom images as their main wallpaper.
Well, it seems Sony has heard the cries of disgruntled gamers and is finally stepping up its game. The latest PS5 software update brings with it a new Welcome hub, which is essentially a new space on the console’s home screen that can be embellished with informative widgets and a new background.
The latter will include a range of designs, according to Sony, with one that looks like a squiggly take on the PlayStation’s iconic controller buttons. If you don’t like Sony’s selection, you can opt for a screenshot from your media gallery instead.
With so many PlayStation games filled with majestic vistas and psychedelic scenes, from the New York skyline in Spider-Man 2 to the dazzling sand-falls of Tatooine in Star Wars Outlaws, you should have no shortage of in-game captures to choose from.
And, seeing as the new feature doesn’t arrive in the UK for a few weeks (though the update is out now), you have plenty of time to start snapping those shots. To do so, just hit the create button located to the top left of the d-pad on your DualSense controller and select “take screenshot”.
The new widgets, on the other hand, let you quickly view things like console storage, battery levels for accessories, online friends, trophies, and more. You can change the size of these rectangles, much like you would on an iPhone.
What else is new?
The latest update also lets you share party voice chat links on messaging and social media apps, which sounds like a great way to quickly start a conversation with someone who isn’t on your PS5 friends list. It will also launch in the coming weeks, and will let you generate a link from the PlayStation App for mobiles.
In addition, the update marks the official arrival of several features that were previously limited to beta testers. These include personalised 3D audio profiles for headphones and earbuds, adjustable Remote Play settings per user, and adaptive charging for your controllers (available for the PS5 slim and PS5 Pro when it launches in November).
How big is the PS5 system update?
The PS5 system update is 1.293GB, meaning you should be able to download and install it in just a few minutes. Once you’re done, you'll be prompted to download a quick DualSense device software update as well.
