Sony rolling out global PlayStation Portal player update with 1080p high quality mode, more

PS Portal/Update

While it was never the true modern PlayStation portable everyone wanted, Sony says it has steady growth on PlayStation Portal engagement and it is now ready to unleash some enhancements to the platform. 

Sony said since its last update to the platform in November, “Cloud Streaming monthly users grew by 162% year-over-year in January” and “over 50% of PS Portal users are now PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers – reflecting growing engagement with the cloud experience.“

Clearly at least some folks are happy with the experience to some degree and Sony is now ready to roll out a global update “introducing improvements designed to deliver higher visual fidelity, smoother interactions, and a more seamless overall experience..” 

These updates include a 1080p High Quality mode, “several enhancements to improve usability and reduce friction during Cloud Streaming sessions,” and what it is calling a smoother onboarding experience. Here’s a look at the details:

1080p High Quality mode

Players can now select a 1080p High Quality mode during Remote Play and Cloud Streaming. This new mode enables players to enjoy games at a higher bitrate compared to the default 1080p Standard mode, providing a smooth and high-fidelity experience.

• To enable the mode, go to [Quick Menu] > [Max Resolution] and select [1080p High Quality] during Remote Play or Cloud Streaming.
• You can apply the change by restarting the Remote Play / Cloud Streaming session.

Refined Cloud Streaming experience

We’ve introduced several enhancements to improve usability and reduce friction during Cloud Streaming*** sessions.

• Improved Product Detail Page: When you select “Stream” on the product detail pages of game bundles, a new UI will show up, allowing you to select a specific game to play from that bundle.
• Game Invite: If you’re actively streaming a supported title and receive game invites, you’ll now see a clear on-screen notification on PS Portal, ensuring you never miss an invitation while playing.
• Enhanced Trophy notifications: Trophy notifications now clearly display the trophy name and associated image when unlocked. Platinum trophies will also feature their special animation, bringing greater visibility and celebration to your achievements.
• Improved Search screen: The search interface has been refined for a smoother experience, such as the On Screen Keyboard display being available immediately when going into search.

Smoother onboarding experience

If you don’t have an account for PlayStation yet, getting started is now easier than ever. With an improved UI and onboarding flow, you can now quickly create an account and sign in to your PS Portal by scanning the QR code using your mobile device.