PlayStation 4 game streaming is coming to PC and Mac
The next, big PlayStation 4 update introduces a number of features that make the Sony console more competitive with Microsoft's Xbox One -- including Remote Play capabilities for Mac and Windows PCs.
Until now, PS4 Remote Play has been restricted to the PS Vita handheld. But firmware update 3.50 will bring the same functionality to home computers. It's not yet clear how streaming will work, but it should be preferable to the Vita and its more limited control scheme.
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Also coming in update 3.50 are a number of social and party features that Microsoft has offered since the Xbox 360 days. PS4 users will now be able to tweak privacy settings so they can appear offline even when they're using the console.
Also coming are updates to the party system. One displays which games other party members are playing, while another sends out a notification when "favorite" friends pop online.
There's no timetable for the update's release, though a PlayStation Blog post confirm that a beta test kicks off on Mar. 2. But even beta participants won't yet have access to the new Remote Play feature; that's coming with the update.
The turnaround time from update announcement to release usually isn't very long for PS4. You can probably expect to see these features added to your console before the end of March.
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Topics Gaming PlayStation
Adam Rosenberg is a Senior Games Reporter for Mashable, where he plays all the games. Every single one. From AAA blockbusters to indie darlings to mobile favorites and browser-based oddities, he consumes as much as he can, whenever he can.Adam brings more than a decade of experience working in the space to the Mashable Games team. He previously headed up all games coverage at Digital Trends, and prior to that was a long-time, full-time freelancer, writing for a diverse lineup of outlets that includes Rolling Stone, MTV, G4, Joystiq, IGN, Official Xbox Magazine, EGM, 1UP, UGO and others.Born and raised in the beautiful suburbs of New York, Adam has spent his life in and around the city. He's a New York University graduate with a double major in Journalism and Cinema Studios. He's also a certified audio engineer. Currently, Adam resides in Crown Heights with his dog and his partner's two cats. He's a lover of fine food, adorable animals, video games, all things geeky and shiny gadgets.
