New PS5 update lets you control your console with your voice

PS5
(Image credit: Sony)

A brand new PS5 software update has launched, bringing early test for voice control as well as general UI improvements.

Over on the PlayStation Blog, the changes in the new PS5 update were broken down in their entirety. Firstly, you'll now be able to create and join Open and Closed Parties through both the PS4 and PS5, and on the latter console, you'll see UI improvements for Game Base and Trophy cards.

It's not just the PS5 that's receiving UI improvements, because the PS App is also getting a slight visual refresh, so you can more easily find Friends and Parties, as well as use messaging features. The PS App also gets a new dark mode display, and has a new Screen Reader feature for both iOS and Android versions.

Additionally, there's brand new accessibility features for the PS5 console, including mono support for headphones. PS5 players will also be able to try out the new Voice Command function in a special preview, which allows users to open games, apps, settings, and more, entirely with their voice. The early previews, available only to players with US or UK accounts, will let you "find and open games, apps, and settings, as well as control media playback with [your] voice."

Finally, there's an update on variable refresh rate support for PS5 consoles. This feature has long been in the works at Sony, but now this new PlayStation Blog post confirms that VRR will be launching in the coming months, which enables better visual feedback by eliminating glitches and other visual errors.  

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Hope Bellingham
News Writer

After studying Film Studies and Creative Writing at university, I was lucky enough to land a job as an intern at Player Two PR where I helped to release a number of indie titles. I then got even luckier when I became a Trainee News Writer at GamesRadar+ before being promoted to a fully-fledged News Writer after a year and a half of training.  My expertise lies in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, cozy indies, and The Last of Us, but especially in the Kingdom Hearts series. I'm also known to write about the odd Korean drama for the Entertainment team every now and then.