The PlayStation 4 has always had a snappy interface, but it was also unorganized and unintuitive. This changes with the console’s latest system patch.
Sony launched the 4.00 update for the PS4 this week, and the upgrade introduces a number of important features like folders and new filters for your game library. But the best improvement is the system’s revamped user interface. A new Quick Menu and an updated Share Menu both enable PS4 owners to access common features without having to leave their games or video content, and this makes using Sony’s console much easier. The Quick Menu is a basic navigation pane that provides you with shortcuts to options like your friends list or volume controls. The Share Menu, like always, is a hub for broadcasting your gameplay, sharing screenshots, and sending updates to Twitter. The updates to these menus means you’ll have to take fewer steps to have more control over your PS4 going forward.
You can access the Quick Menu at any time by holding down the PS button on the DualShock 4 controller. Doing so rolls out a sidebar that only covers half of the screen and leaves your game on in the background. This menu gives you instant access to options you may need, like audio volume, Spotify streaming music controls, and power options. It also has a customization feature so you can add, remove, and organize the submenus however you want.
The Quick Menu makes performing basic tasks much easier. When I used to play with headphones on my PS4, I would have to dig into several menus before I could change the headset’s volume. The 4.00 update cuts this down to just a few seconds.
Sony gave its Share Menu a similar makeover. Like the Quick Menu, it now rolls out from the side and only covers a portion of the screen. It provides all of your options in one, easy-to-see list. Your current screenshot and video clip are at the top, but you can also instantly start Share Play or broadcasting to YouTube.
Overall, it seems like Sony wanted to bring advancements to the usability of the PlayStation 4 before launching the revised console and the more powerful PS4 Pro, which debut today and November 10, respectively. But it’s the gamers that joined this generation of Sony consoles from the beginning that will most appreciate what the company has done with 4.00.