Sony has finally rolled out the PlayStation 5 update that adds support for Discord voice chats to all users, having previously introduced the feature in beta. It comes alongside the addition of Variable Refresh Rate support for HDMI 2.1 displays with 1440p resolution.
Discord support is activated with the PS5 Update 7.0, which makes it possible for gamers to activate Discord calls via the console once the service has been set up first. To do so, users have to link their PlayStation Network account to Discord from the main menus, then select Discord under the “Linked Services” setting before completing the integration by scanning a QR code or clicking a browser link. Each time the user wants to set up an in-game call, they’ll need to use their mobile device or a PC to connect with their friends, then transfer the call to the PS5.
It’s a bit of a clunky process, especially considering Microsoft has already made it possible to join Discord calls from directly within the Xbox Series X and Series S consoles. Hopefully, Sony will come up with a simpler integration soon.
Video game purists will appreciate the VRR update, which is now supported on lower-resolution HDMI 2.1 displays. What this means is they’ll see less stuttering and input lag for games that support VRR, because the feature enables the display to match the PS5’s frame rate output exactly.
In addition, Sony said players will encounter a new notification when they download or install PS4 games onto their PS5 console, informing them that they have saved data in their PSN cloud storage. They can select the notification to download that data.
Another update brings improvements to the PS5’s screen reader, which can now tell users which direction they’re able to move and what their current position is. Finally, players will be able to update their controller’s software wirelessly, and PS5 owners in the U.K. and U.S. can now also save video clips of their games using voice commands. Simply say “Hey PlayStation, capture that” and it’ll begin recording automatically.
The beta version of this update was made available in February, and the general release should roll out automatically in the coming days. If you don’t see it yet, check the PlayStation support page to see if it can be downloaded manually.
