New PS5 beta software explained: What it adds, new "Hey PlayStation" voice commands and more

pocket-lint.com:

(Pocket-lint) — Sony is rolling out new system software to PlayStation 5 (and PS4) beta testers today.

Selected participants in the UK, US, Canada, Japan, Germany and France will be able to test the software and its new features ahead of a consumer rollout later this year.

Here's what the February 2022 beta system software adds to PlayStation 5. You can also scroll down to check out how to register for the beta program for future trials.

There are several new features for beta participants to test, including new party chat and accessibility options, plus UI improvements. Perhaps the biggest is voice commands, whereby you can simply ask your PS5 to open apps and games, control media playback and more. Here is a brief rundown of the new features.

PlayStation is testing the ability to open games, apps and settings, or control the playback of a TV show or film using just your voice.

Once switched on in the settings, you can simply say «Hey, PlayStation!» and ask it to find a game, etc.

There is a warning to beta participants, however. As this is in test mode, anything askedcould be recorded and stored by Sony unless it's on a child's account — in which case it will never be recorded.

If you used emojis a whole bunch you might want to think about picking one of these keyboards up.

There are several new options for Party Chat. When starting a party you can now choose an open party or closed party — the latter is invite-only.

There are now visual indicatiors to help you see who is speaking to make it easier to report innappropriate behaviour.

And you can now start a Share Play session directly from a voice chat card.

Voice chats have been renamed Parties, while the Game Base menu is now split into three tabs: Friends, Parties