Gaming

8 PS4 multimedia features you must try out

Published

August 21, 2017

Joseph Berida

The PlayStation 4 is a sleek piece of gaming hardware. With its extensive library of blockbuster titles and indie darlings, it’s easy to overlook the console’s many cool features. Here’s what you can do with your PS4 that isn’t just playing a game.

Watch Netflix

Stream your favorite shows and movies through your Netflix subscription. Just hook up your PS4 online via cable or Wi-Fi, download the small Netflix app under the TV & Video tab, and sign in to your account. No need to get a smart TV or a digital media player! Your controller works just fine navigating Netflix’s simplified console menu.

View live broadcasts on YouTube and Twitch

Catch every second of fun that your beloved gaming streamers are broadcasting live on their Twitch or YouTube channel. Both apps are easily accessed on the PS4, and their interfaces are streamlined for navigation with your controller. You can watch the content in Full HD without choppy buffering, provided your internet connection is good!

Play Blu-rays and DVDs

Don’t have a Netflix subscription? Can’t connect to the internet for some reason but still want to watch something at home? Remember that your game discs are Blu-rays too, so the console has no problem playing Blu-ray shows and films. Your DVD collection also doesn’t have to gather dust, as the PS4 still supports this aged format smoothly.

Listen to music on Spotify

Enjoy the tunes you want to hear instead of being stuck with the same soundtracks of the games you’re playing through Spotify. Sony is in direct partnership with the music streaming service, so they made sure to integrate it with their gaming hardware for ease of use. The PS4 also picks up Bluetooth signals, so you can even control the app on the console through your smartphone or tablet if you have Spotify on your mobile device.

Capture in-game moments and share them through social media

Keep that SHARE button on your controller in mind when something beautiful or awesome happens on screen to take an HD picture so you always have something to remember that moment by. Show that screenshot off to your gamer friends on Facebook or Twitter. Go to the Capture Gallery where the images are saved, select the shots, and hold the SHARE button down to pull up the list of social media platforms you want to upload those images to.

Share your games with a friend or family member

Sometimes just sharing a screenshot of that game you love isn’t enough. For games you just downloaded on the PS Store and don’t have a disc to lend, you can get an interested friend or family member with their own PS4 to gain complete access to your game library. Just log on to your PlayStation Network account on their console, go to Settings, and select Activate as Your Primary PS4. This way any account on that unit can play all your games!

Swap out the default hard drive for a bigger one

The 500GB hard drive that the standard PS4 has might seem like enough, but with how huge games have become recently, commonly reaching 40 to 50GB in size with mandatory installation, it doesn’t take long to run out of space. Thankfully, you can easily switch the hard drive with a typical 2.5inch laptop drive of up to 4TB. You don’t need any expertise with hardware, just a Phillips screwdriver and a little time to spare to follow simple tutorials! Click this link for PlayStation’s official guide on upgrading the internal hard drive, or just watch the video above.

Use an external hard drive to store and run games

If replacing the internal hard drive is too much work, you can also just use an external hard drive for installing games. Any USB 3.0 storage device from 250GB to 8TB capacity will do. Just plug it in directly to one of the PS4’s USB ports and format it to work as the console’s extended storage. As long as you have it connected, you’ll be able to play the games installed on it. You can even move the games already installed on the internal hard drive to the external drive and vice versa. Click here for the official step-by-step instructions from Sony, or watch the video above.

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Gaming

ROG Ally X announced

Coming June 2

Published

May 10, 2024

Rodneil Quiteles

File Photo: ROG Ally

Those who held off from getting a gaming handheld are in luck. Just about a year since the release of the ROG Ally, the follow-up has been officially confirmed by ASUS — the ROG Ally X.

The ROG Ally X isn’t exactly a 2nd generation device. Based on what was teased, this looks to be more of a product refresh than a full cycle upgrade. So, what’s new?

First and foremost, the company promised a substantial battery life boost. They’re looking at “way more” than a “30 to 40 percent” improvement. This might be one of the main contributing factors as to why the “X” will be slightly heavier than the original.

Joysticks and face buttons have also been redesigned. The joysticks now use hall effect tech which is known to be anti-drift. Those wanting to up the storage will be happy to know that the M.2 2280 SSD slot has increased.

What stays the same? The ROG Ally X will still be powered by the AMD Z1 Extreme and perhaps most disappointingly, will have the same 1080p, 120Hz, 7-inch LCD display. It’s important to note that the display is the main thing that changed in the device that it directly challenged — the Steam Deck. That went from IPS to OLED in a similar product refresh.

More complete details of the ROG Ally 2 will be revealed on June 2.

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Gaming

Gundam Breaker 4 coming to consoles, PC on August 29

Preorder now

Published

May 10, 2024

GadgetMatch

Gundam Breaker 4 will officially land on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC (Steam) on August 29. Standard and Deluxe edition preorders for PlayStation and PC platforms are now available as well.

Players will get these as part of the early purchase bonus:

RX-78 Gundam Recirculation Color Early Unlock
Builder’s Parts Early Unlock

Meanwhile, the Deluxe Edition contains the following:

Base Game
Season Pass
Season Pass Bonus: Gunbarrel Strike Gundam parts (Gundam Breaker Ver.)
15 Gunpla Parts Early Unlock

On the other hand, the Digital Ultimate Edition contains all items in the Deluxe Edition, plus four Diorama Packs and a Diorama Pack Set Bonus.

Moreover, fans may avail of the Collector’s Edition which will be sold via Bandai Namco at a later date. This package includes:

Base game
Limited edition Gunpla – Gunbarrel Strike Gundam (Gundam Breaker ver.)
Digital Soundtrack
Steelbook

Gundam Breaker 4’s release for more consoles and PC coincides with the 45th anniversary of Mobile Suit Gundam. The popular Japanese anime first broadcasted in 1979, and has since grown throughout the years with TV series, films, and countless merchandise.

The gunpla fighting title allows players to go solo or team-up in co-op multiplayer mode, virtually using their gunpla model kits. There are hundreds of base kits to choose from. Players may also utilize thousands of parts from 250 Mobile Suits throughout the Gundam series to build, customize, and control their creation in battle.

A new trailer has also been released following this announcement, focusing on customization and the presence of SD Gundam. The clip shows in detail how players can change the size of all parts individually, and create their own color preset based on either their preferences or their favorite Gundam.

Gaming

Play Destiny 2’s major DLCs for free until next month

Expansion Open Access month

Published

May 10, 2024

GadgetMatch

Destiny 2 has made quite a reputation as far as first-person shooters are concerned. And thanks to its Expansion Open Access month, players get to play all of the title’s upcoming DLCs — for free.

You read that right! Before The Final Shape DLC launches officially on June 4, 2024, Bungie is letting players try out some of the major DLCs Destiny 2 has to offer. This includes The Witch Queen, Beyond Light, and Shadowkeep expansions. Content from all four seasons are also accessible.

Now, that’s certainly one way to keep Destiny 2 fans engaged until The Final Shape releases next month. And if you’re new to Destiny 2, it’s high time to try without spending a buck. This article will help guide you through the title’s sci-fi world.

For solo players, The Witch Queen offers a great story that culminates with a “spectacular boss fight”, per Bungie Community’s Chris Shannon. Moreover, players may undergo the Beyond Light campaign to unlock Stasis. This Darkness subclass specializes in crowd control, freezing enemies and shattering them for massive damage. Once the open access month is over, players will have to purchase the Beyond Light DLC itself, so this is definitely an opportune time to pursue this campaign.

Additionally, if you’re a PlayStation Plus member, you get access to the Lightfall DLC. This is where you can unlock the Strand Darkness subclass. Nevertheless, since this particular DLC seems disappointing for those who’ve tried, it doesn’t look as if you’re going to miss out too much. Also, take note that minor DLCs like Minor DLCs like the 30th Anniversary Pack and the Forsaken Pack aren’t included. Just in case you’re looking for them.

Destiny 2 released in 2020 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, three years after it became available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. The game lets players assume the role of guardians and partake in PvE and PvP game types.