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PS4

Past all accounts, the PlayStation 4 has been a huge success. Information technology'south selling extremely well, it regularly out performs the Xbox One, and it'due south get the de facto standard for third-party releases (much similar the PS2 or Xbox 360 in their heydays). Even so, information technology's far from perfect. I've used the PS4 almost every day since information technology launched in 2013, and familiarity has nigh definitely bred contempt.

Today, I'll be highlighting 10 of the virtually frustrating faults with the PS4, and offer up solutions to fix the issues. And even though in that location's going to be a lot of complaining here, this isn't an indictment of the platform all together. After all, I wouldn't exist using it if I didn't enjoy it. With that in mind, let'due south jump in.

Cloud Saves

Increase cloud storage for everyone

For well-nigh of the PS4's existence, the cloud save situation has been crude. PlayStation Plus subscribers got a gig of deject storage, and those who don't pony upward for a subscription got zippo. Starting with arrangement software 3.0, PS+ users will become 10GB of storage, only everyone else however gets nothing.

Going forrad, Sony needs to loosen up, and end being so stingy with the cloud storage space. Truth be told, I remember a Dropbox or iCloud model would work well here. Not-paying members should get a gig or two, and paying members should effectively have unlimited save infinite on Sony's servers. At this indicate, cloud storage is so cheap, it's actually a little embarrassing that Sony is however so tight-fisted.

Rest Mode Update

Let everyone to update in rest mode

Under the current scheme, only PlayStation Plus subscribers can download app updates while the PS4 is in remainder mode. That means if you're unwilling to drib an additional 50 bucks a yr for PS+, you lot're stuck twiddling your thumbs while your games and apps update. Information technology's an absurd limitation.

PlayStation Plus offers online multiplayer, complimentary games every month, and some really fantastic discounts. Information technology's a skilful service, and plenty of people are willing to buy in for those benefits. Notwithstanding, the rest mode updates are a unproblematic quality of life feature built in at the OS level — it doesn't employ any significant resources on Sony's end. I'm not opposed to all paywalls for premium features, merely this specific paywall feels wrong in every mode.

HDCP

Implement a smart HDCP toggle

When the PS4 first shipped, in that location were some serious concerns about external video capture. It only offers an HDMI output, and the point was protected by HDCP. That DRM solution can be stripped, but it's both annoying and potentially illegal. Thankfully, a patch last year immune users to toggle off HDCP completely.

Unfortunately, the toggle is a hassle in and of itself. When information technology's off, you can easily capture the video signal with HDMI capture gear, but pretty much every app will stop working completely. Desire to sentinel Netflix? You demand to manually toggle the HDCP back on. And every bit someone who needs to capture footage on a adequately regular basis, it's a real pain.

So, how does Sony solve this trouble? Implement a smart HDCP toggle. If you launch an app that requires HDCP, plough it on. Otherwise, exit it off. It'southward a vastly superior user experience that doesn't require trivial with settings. Microsoft implemented this dorsum on the Xbox 360, and so there's no adept reason why Sony couldn't figure this out.

Pinning

Allow apps to exist pinned

While the system menu on the PS4 is a step upward from the mess that was the PS3'south sluggish XMB, in that location's a lot of room for improvement. Past default, you get a scattering of icons for recently-played games on the dwelling screen, and and then everything else is dumped into a huge binder labeled Library. You can sort alphabetically or chronologically, but there isn't much in the mode of filtering.

I retrieve Sony needs to go dorsum to the drawing lath, and come upward with a completely unlike way of surfacing your games. Unfortunately, that probably requires a lot of resources, and I don't look that to happen anytime shortly. However, Sony could hands put a bandaid over this problem past assuasive the states to pivot our favorites to the main menu. Whatsoever game disc you have inserted automatically floats the game's icon to the top of the menu, and so we're already half-manner there.

Friends

Asynchronous friends lists

When the Xbox One launched, Microsoft changed how friends lists were handled. Merely like Twitter, you tin can now follow anyone you see fit without needing their approval. Those people don't need to lift a finger, and yous can even so easily view their achievements, or compete against their high scores.

Unfortunately, the PS4 still works exclusively on the request-have model. While that isn't a deal-breaker for most people, it makes the user feel somewhat hellish for public figures. I'd love to be able to "follow" a handful of notable manufacture folks on PSN without feeling like I'm hassling them.

Apparently, privacy options should continue to be available. Even Twitter allows for private accounts, so the introduction of an asynchronous friends list to PSN wouldn't necessarily mean any more or less privacy than before. Information technology just makes friends list a chip less time consuming for public figures.

Download UI

Improve the fractional game install UI

From the get-get, Sony'south implementation of fractional game installs has been flawed. Some titles will download a subset of the unabridged game, and so report that the download has finished. In reality, it just downloaded plenty to get the game into a bootable state. For the total experience, you'll have to wait for the balance of the download to consummate in the background.

Partial installs aren't inherently bad, but Sony needs to completely rethink the electric current interface surrounding this feature. Instead of forcing users to dig into sub-menus to find out whether or not something is completely installed, the icon on the main carte should clearly testify the download condition at a glance.

Broadcast

Back up more uploading and streaming options

System update iii.0 will add YouTube streaming to the PS4, but that's just not plenty. I want to exist able to live stream to Hitbox, Livestream, and other upcoming services as I see fit. Why can't I hands upload my videos to Vimeo or Vidme?

Optimally, Sony would allow third-parties to hook into some sort of sharing API, and then information technology'd be upwardly to each platform to implement back up. I think something along the lines of share sheets in Bone X and iOS would exist the best way forward.

Apps

Open up upwards tertiary-party app development

Truth be told, I recall Sony needs to have cues from the mobile world in more than than just the realm of share sheets. While the process of self-publishing an indie game on consoles is a lot easier now than it was circa 2012, getting an app on the PS4 is still needlessly difficult.

With the new Apple Idiot box and the Steam machines right around the corner, information technology'southward clear that the PS4 would benefit from a full-fledged app shop. If Sony wants to stave off competition from consolized PCs and set-top boxes, it needs a bevy of third-political party devs willing to keep the PS4 ecosystem enticing to both casual and "core" users.

Download Speed

Invest in a better CDN

PSN is slow beyond the lath. Some people have worse download speeds than others, but we all know that Sony could do a lot amend. I'grand on a dainty cobweb connection in the mid-atlantic, and my personal experience with PSN download speeds has been fair-to-middling. Information technology certainly doesn't saturate my connection, but I've yet to see the nightmarishly dull speeds reported from the San Fransisco bay area.

Meanwhile, Steam tin regularly max out my connection with the incredibly fast CDN that Valve has invested in. Considering how important patches and digital distribution have get in the last five years, it's unbelievable that PSN is notwithstanding so behind the times.

Patching

Allow for patch rollbacks

On the whole, game patches are a good thing. No matter how thorough your problems testing, developers will never be able to deliver a flawless production. When developers send patches for their games, that's usually a do good for consumers. Earlier this calendar month, Metallic Gear Solid V shipped with a game-breaking bug, and a quick patch stock-still it without much ado. Sadly, that's not ever the instance.

Sometimes, patches don't work the way that they're intended to, and tin crusade some serious problems until the developer releases a patch for the patch. Even worse, patches tin occasionally significantly impact the existing game on purpose. Recently, BioWare shipped a patch for Dragon Historic period: Inquisition (a game that'due south about a year one-time) that drastically changed the manner one of the specializations operates in the unmarried player campaign. Don't like it? Tough. If you lot're connecting your console to the cyberspace, it's increasingly difficult to opt out of patches.

Going forward, I'd love to run into Sony (and other platform owners) allow for patch rollbacks à la GOG. And while they're at information technology, make it easier to uninstall DLC as well. If the user sees fit, he or she should exist allowed to run the game as it shipped — no questions asked.

Easier said than done

Sony bet big on the PS4 equally a gaming-focused device, and it's paid off. All the same, that shouldn't come at the expense of usability and functionality. The competition is fierce, and the public is fickle. If Sony wants to stay on elevation, information technology needs to fight for it.

Of course, it'southward worth noting that implementing these changes would be no small chore. Minor tweaks similar app pinning aren't a big deal, merely changing the CDN or creating an app store would require a lot of resources that Sony might non take. Later on all, Sony'south been in a rough spot for a while now, so I'm certain Sony Computer Entertainment has to fight for every additional dollar it wants to spend. Let's merely hope that the PlayStation squad doesn't residuum on their accolade, and keeps making big improvements to the PS4 for the next couple of years.