Those awaiting Boost Mode for their PlayStation 4 Pro ever since it was announced may wait no longer; software update 4.50, which adds the functionality, is arriving March 9, alongside a number of changes and improvements in tow.
Boost Mode
Boost Mode promises more stable frame rates and even load times on the PS4 Pro for "select legacy titles" without applying any patch of some kind, which comes as a godsend for players who have been experiencing choppy performances from big-name titles, for instance Bloodborne, as shown in DigitalFoundry's performance test.
Boost Mode, however, won't support every unoptimized game released for the console, but it should more than justify a PS4 Pro purchase. Boost Mode may be toggled on by going to Settings, and then choosing System. When turned off, Sony says the system will run games that replicate the standard PS4.
PlayStation VR Improvements
The PS4, on the other hand, is not without its share of updates. Version 4.50 also improves the system's screen displayed on the TV when stepping out of PlayStation VR. Previously, players who return to the PS4 home screen after a PS VR play-through find that the resolution looks choppier than normal on the TV Social Screen. This will be fixed with the update.
Additionally, the update also improves cinematic mode on PS VR. Sony says that if users set their PS VR screen to small or medium, the frame rate in cinematic mode should bump up from 90 Hz to 120 Hz thanks to the update.
Remote Play Voice Chat
Sony is also adding voice chat when using Remote Play on Windows PCs, Mac, or an Xperia device, which the company says is useful for times when a player isn't within proximity to their console. Starting with the 4.50 update, Remote Play will feature a microphone icon to toggle it on or off.
Additionally, players will begin noticing if people are playing off-console, thanks to a new smartphone icon which indicates that a player is logged into PSN but away from their system.
Other Features Included With The Update
Announced previously, version 4.50 also adds External HDD support for the PS4, giving players the option to store content to an external HDD if the onboard storage isn't enough, which nearly always isn't. Simply plug a USB 3.0 HDD into the console and you're all set. The system will support up to 8 TB of external storage, and games may be downloaded and installed directly on the HDD. However, user save files will still be saved on the system's local storage.
The update also adds the option for users to set their own custom wallpaper to give their user interface just a bit of zing. There's also a new update to the Quick Menu feature, with it occupying less screen estate than previous while offering quick access to Party features.
The update also comes with support for 3D Blu-ray movies; a cleaner, more simplified notifications list; and the ability to post directly on the Activity Feed on the PlayStation Network.
The PS4 Software Update version 4.50 rolls out March 9, Thursday.
What do you think of the new features on the latest PS4 software? Thrilled about Boost Mode? Feel free to sound off in the comments section below!
