If you’ve got a new games console, then you can have a rollicking good time updating the system software next time you turn it on, as both the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 have updates which went live today.
The Xbox One’s arrived first, so we’ll start with that, as Major Nelson took to his site to tell people about the changes and update process.
It doesn’t offer any new functionality, but fixes issues with SmartGlass, re-joining multiplayer games, inconsistent notifications, dashboard performance, WiFi conncetivity and makes changes so that certain parts of the software will scale better over time.
What’s quite interesting is slightly quirky manner in which the update is being pushed out to people. It was made available last night in the US, but will only become compulsory in the early hours of Thursday morning. This is because the Xbox One system will primarily be checking for updates when you put it into stand by with the “Instant On” function.
The process is as follows, outlined by Major Nelson:
If you are using the Xbox One “Instant On” (the low power state that allows you to instantly power up your console by saying “Xbox On”), your console automatically checks for updates when you turn it off. Once we make the update available (on Tuesday, December 10th, 5:00 PM PT) this means the following will happen:
- Your console will automatically download the update after you turn it off. Once the update has been downloaded in the background, your console will power completely down. Please note: You will need to manually power your console back on after the update has been downloaded. Because the update will power your console completely down, the “Xbox On” voice command won’t be available until after the update is fully installed.
- When you turn the console on you’ll see the update being applied. After that, your Xbox One will reboot. You’ll know the update is installing when you see the Xbox logo on the green background (like at the top of this post.) This can take anywhere from 2-5 minutes. Once the update has finished installing, you’ll boot to the Home screen and you’re all set.
- Don’t worry, if you are out of town for the holidays, you console also does regular checks for updates and will download it in the background even if you have not used you Xbox One in a couple of days.
Without “Instant On” you will be forced to update after the compulsory cut off point on Thursday.
PlayStation 4 owners will be getting updated to 1.52 today, which is an incremental update that “Improves System Stability”. Hopefully that will affect particularly crash-prone games, but means that we’re likely waiting until next year for major improvements to the software on both systems.
The update process should be familiar to most, since we’ve already had the update to 1.51, and it’s similar to that of the PS3. You may find the update has already been downloaded by the Auto Uploads and Downloads system, though my PS4 didn’t seem to grab this overnight, or you can go to Settings on the PS4 and then System Software Update in order to handle this manually. You should also be able to download it to USB stick, from this page, but the page isn’t yet showing 1.52.
Whatever the case, it’s a mandatory update so you will be prodded to go and update by your PS4 the next time it tries to connect to PSN.
TSBonyman
“Improves System Stability” .. ah so they’ve fixed the wobble? ;)
Flightx
Wasnt the wobble fixed in tsa’s how to upgrade your hdd video?
XisTG
That bit made me laugh so hard :D
TSBonyman
Indeed Peter’s ‘fix’ was brilliant lol :)
Vallon
I have found that my NFSR disc actually vibrates the console a bit unless I put my finger on the corner of the console! so i’m stuck with the wobble issue. ;)
lambchop
I always wish they would be a bit more specific with these “improves system stability” updates.
cam the man
Yeah, it would be nice to know what they are.
TheShepanator
I think they’re deliberately vague to avoid giving any ideas to hackers
Bilbo_bobbins
When are they going to fix the headset problem. I have a newish Sony headset waiting to be used. Come on Sony.
Bankzy108
You can still use your Sony headset, connect it via the 3.5mm jack from headset to control. Best of all the power doesn’t have to be on, on the headset, it will work better without the power on until Sony make them work.
The planned date for certain headsets (Sony branded at least, like Pulse) to work with PS4 is January.
rept0n
http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2013/11/25/ps4-update-to-allow-sony-pulse-elite-headsets-is-expected-just-after-january-1st-2014/
leeroye
Does anyone get notified when game saves have been uploaded? I have had notifications for game patches that have autodownloaded but nothing about game saves
Vallon
If you go into Notifications they are in the Uploads, I’m pretty sure when it failed one time it notified me, but doesn’t generally do so (not that I’ve noticed anyway)
KeRaSh
I haven’t experienced any crashes so far (*knocks on wood*) so I’m more interested in the suspend / resume update. I guess we won’t be seeing that before the JP launch…
McProley
Got a load of crashes whilst playing with Youles on Sunday so hopefully these will be addressed now :)
Broonba
Maybe you should stop playing driving games until you get a bit better at them :P
McProley
Haha, this is true
Vallon
The only crash I had was on Need for Speed Rivals, wrecked the car and it dumped me to a blue screen with error. Must have been my amazing skills… :o
OneShotWook
Dts sound seems to be stable now even in battlefield with ps4 (also tried ac4 and Dcuo).As it happens it’s just not occurred to me much to use voice commands or cam features on either console since around 3 days after ps4 launch.
Stefan L
BF4 got a patch today, too, which should help that game out a bit.
OneShotWook
Thanks Stefan i got that patch and so far i haven’t crashed with it.Still some other issues but the overall experience is getting more reliable.
TSBonyman
I currently have twelve games, including Playroom, on my hdd and before the update if i scrolled quickly to the left or right there would be five or six icons which would show only as static circles and it would take a second or so for the game icons to appear.
Since the update i can now scroll across as quickly as before and all the icons are showing up properly. I am pleased.