Betas All Around

Microsoft offered gamers the chance to try out new system software prior to it\’s release to the public back with Xbox 360 in what it called the Preview Program. Sony, with the PS4, followed suit likely because of a few botched firmware updates since the system\’s release. Firmware and OS updates are tricky as some bugs simply won\’t be discovered in controlled environments no matter how much QA you throw at them. But put the update in the hands of many a gamer and you can really understand what quirks might need fixing. Both Xbox and PlayStation have new features coming out in their next updates which are currently in beta. Here is what we know for each.

Xbox One & Xbox App for Windows

  • 16 person Party Chat
  • Ability to purchase Xbox 360 Backward Compatible games directly on Xbox One
  • Party Chat in Twitch Broadcasts
  • Xbox 360 Achievements are coming to Xbox One and Xbox app Activity Feeds

PlayStation 4

  • Notifications when friends come online
  • Ability to appear offline
  • Ability to schedule a future gameplay session with your friends on PS4. When your event starts, users who registered for the event will automatically be added to a party so you can start playing right away.
  • Ability for all members of a Party to see what each person is playing so that you can easily join a friend’s game, or start a new game together.
  • Remote Play for PC/Mac
  • Ability to live stream directly to Dailymotion on PS4 along with archiving of past streams.

It\’s a shame PS4 still doesn\’t have folders for organizing my horizontal strip of games. But at least I now have significantly more cloud storage for game saves. After beating the excellent Rise of the Tomb Raider my Xbox One is going to go unplayed for a bit I\’m sure. Is there anything you\’re particularily excited about coming to your platform(s) of choice?

Antonio Worrall
Antonio Worrallhttps://antonioworrall.com
I'm a Senior IT Support Engineer, every day tech geek, gaming enthusiast, world traveler, and foodie living with my wife and cat in the NY/NJ area.

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