Sony releases a big new update for the PS Portal, refreshing the UI on the Home Screen while also adding a bunch of new features including Cloud Streaming. The PlayStation handheld continues to grow and add new features to better support how players utilize the Portal.
While not quite a standalone handheld gaming device like the Steam Deck or even the Nintendo Switch 2, Sony's PlayStation Portal is proving to be more than just a simple PS5 accessory. As the PS Portal approaches its second anniversary, Sony has continued to improve and expand the available features that it offers, with the latest update being one of its biggest and most anticipated yet.
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PlayStation Portal Update Adds Cloud Streaming
The latest update for the PS Portal is a big one for the handheld as it finally introduces cloud streaming feature to PlayStation Plus Premium members. Sony teases that thousands of games already support the feature and hundreds more are compatible from the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog and Classics Catalog. The highly requested PS Portal feature was rumored recently, but as it is officially live now, players can now stream games while their PS5 is in use by another person or enjoy some play time on the go with high-speed Wi-Fi.
While Cloud Streaming may be the headline news for this patch, this update does even for the PS Portal by adding other new features and UI enhancements. Specifically, this update also introduces a redesigned home screen with three new tabs for Remote Play, Cloud Streaming, and Search, the latter of which lets players dig through their game library including available PlayStation Plus streamable games.
Sony has also added support for 3D audio with supported games during Remote Play and Cloud Streaming through wired headphones or the PlayStation Link wireless audio. Players can also better protect their PS Portal by adding a Passcode Lock under Settings. Finally, there's a Network Status Screen to help players check their connection quality.
Finally, the PS Portal update also added new Cloud Streaming related features, including an In-Game Store to allow players to make purchases without having to leave game sessions. There are new accessibility options like a screen reader and adjustable text size. Lastly, players can also send invites and join multiplayer sessions directly from the Quick Menu.
PlayStation Portal
- Playing Time
- 6-8 hours
- Brand
- PlayStation
- Weight
- 529g
- Headset Compatibility
- 3.5mm, PlayStation Link
- Display
- 8-inch LCD
- Output resolution
- 1080p
While not exactly a PSP successor, the PlayStation Portal solves an age-old issue of having to share one TV in a household. This remote play device allows users to stream whatever is happening on their PlayStation 5's directly to the large 8-inch 1080p LCD screen. What makes the PlayStation Portal unique is that it comes packed with all the advanced technology of the DualSense wireless controller, such as adaptive triggers and haptic feedback. One downside is that it doesn't feature Bluetooth support for wireless audio, but it does work with the PlayStation Pulse earbuds and headset, while also sporting a 3.5mm audio jack for wired audio.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Release Date
- November 15, 2023