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Here's What's Coming in PS4 System Software 5.50 Update

The update introduces a new family Play Time Management feature, the ability to upload custom wallpapers via USB, enhancements to notifications and the Quick Menu, and more.

Angela Moscaritolo
 & Angela Moscaritolo Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

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Heads up, PlayStation gamers: Sony just announced details of its next major PS4 system software update, version 5.5.

The update introduces a new family Play Time Management feature, the ability to upload custom wallpapers via USB, enhancements to notifications and the Quick Menu, and more. Those who signed up and were selected for the beta program should receive an email today with instruction on how to download it and get started.

The new Play Time Management feature will let family managers and others set as guardians keep tabs on their child's playtime each day.

"If needed, the family manager/guardians can apply playtime restrictions to make sure that the child is only playing for a set amount of time or within set playable hours," Mary Yee, vice president of PS marketing, wrote in a blog post. "Notifications on PS4 will be sent to the child during gameplay so that he or she knows when they should save and quit."

With this feature, parents and guardians will also have the option to automatically log the child out of their PS4 once their allocated gaming time is over. To access this feature, go to Settings > Family Management on your PS4. Or, if your kid begs for another hour on the PS4 while you're stuck at work, you can add the extra time via your smartphone or PC; just log into your PS account via your device's web browser.

Version 5.5 also adds several new tabs to Library, including "This PS4," which lists all the apps that are installed on your system, and a tab with your name and avatar, which lists all the apps you've purchased with your PSN ID. A new PS Plus tab will show all the games you've received for free as a member.

Meanwhile, updates to the Quick Menu promise to help you more quickly access specific friends and control your music. Speaking of music, you'll be able to listen to tunes in the background while streaming games on PS Now.

Plus, organization enthusiasts will be able to delete old notifications as well as hide apps under the Purchased tab. The latter feature should come in handy if you have a bunch of content you don't plan to revisit. You'll also be able to import custom wallpapers from a USB stick to use as your Home Screen, as well as your own logo or background for your Tournaments team page.

Finally, PS4 Pro users are getting a new "supersampling mode," which offers an "enhanced visual experience when playing some PS4 games" on your HDTV.

"With supersampling mode, games that render to a higher resolution when connected to a 4K TV will downscale to match the HDTV – allowing PS4 Pro owners to leverage the benefits of an image clarity boost even if they don't own a 4K TV," Yee explained.

About Our Expert

Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo

Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

My Experience

I'm PCMag's managing editor for consumer electronics, overseeing an experienced team of analysts covering smart home, home entertainment, wearables, fitness and health tech, and various other product categories. I have been with PCMag for more than 10 years, and in that time have written more than 6,000 articles and reviews for the site. I previously served as an analyst focused on smart home and wearable devices, and before that I was a reporter covering consumer tech news. I'm also a yoga instructor, and have been actively teaching group and private classes for nearly a decade. 

Prior to joining PCMag, I was a reporter for SC Magazine, focusing on hackers and computer security. I earned a BS in journalism from West Virginia University, and started my career writing for newspapers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The Technology I Use

My little Florida beach bungalow is brimming with smart home tech. I have a smart speaker or display in every room, allowing me to control other connected devices by voice. The Nest Hub on my bedside table lets me set wake-up alarms, control my smart light bulbs, and set the temperature on my smart thermostat. I use the Amazon Echo Show 8 on my kitchen counter to browse recipes, reorder protein powder, check the weather, and watch the news while I do dishes. 

Because I suffer from allergies, air purifiers are essential. My favorite model is the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07, which doubles as a fan and continuously sends indoor pollution data to its companion mobile app. 

My pitbull Bradley sheds, so a good robot vacuum is a must. I currently use a premium Ecovacs Deebot that can both vacuum and mop, empty its own dustbin, and wash its own mop cloth. 

For fitness, I like to mix up my routine with cycling, indoor rowing, running, and strength training in addition to yoga. I take classes on the Tonal 2 smart strength training machine, I row indoors on an Aviron machine, and track my beach runs with an Apple Watch while listening to music on my Apple AirPods Pro. On the weekends, I love riding e-bikes like the rugged, beach-friendly Aventon Aventure for fun and fitness.

My job involves a lot of virtual meetings, so a quality webcam, microphone, and ring light are important. I use the Jabra PanaCast 20 webcam, the Elgato Wave: 3 microphone, and a Yesker tripod ring light. 

As for my preferred phone platform, I'm an iPhone person, but I've also extensively used Android for product testing.

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