PS5 Update 22.01-05.00.00.40 Released for New Features This March 23

Sony has released the PS5 update 22.01-05.00.00.40 firmware patch, and this includes new features rather than your basic stability system update! This brings a ton of features that were outlined before in the invite-only beta. Read on for the full PS5 update March 23 patch notes via the system settings.

PS5 Update 22.01-05.00.00.40 Patch Notes | PS5 Update March 23 Patch Notes:

New features in this system software update (via the game’s system settings notes on the PS5):

• In (Game Base), we’ve updated the following:
  • Voice chats are now called parties.
  • For easier access, we’ve divided Game Base into three tabs: [Friends], [Parties] and [Messages].
  • Now when you start a party, you can select either an open party or a closed party.
    • An open party lets your friends join without an invite. Friends of party members can also join.
    • A closed party is only for players you invite.
• From the Game Base control menu and cards, you can now do the following:
  • View all your friends under the [Friends] tab in the control menu.
  • Start Share Play directly from the voice chat card. You no longer need to start Share Screen to use Share Play.
  • Add a player to a group, or create a new group directly from the messages card. You can also send video clips, images, quick messages, and view a group’s shared media from this card.
  • Now when someone in a party is sharing their screen, you’ll see the (c )) on air icon. You can check this in the [Parties] tab.
  • The player search feature and friend requests are now under the [Friends] tab.
  • We’ve made it easier to decline friend requests by adding a [Decline] button to your friend request list.
• In ® (Accessibility), we’ve updated the following:
  • We’ve updated the following for the screen reader:
  • The screen reader is now supported in six additional languages: Russian, Arabic, Dutch, Brazilian Portuguese, Polish, and Korean.
    • The screen reader can now read aloud notifications.

• • • You can now enable mono audio for headphones, so that the same audio is played from both the left and right headphones.
    • While your headphones are connected, go to [Settings] > [Sound] > [Audio Output]and then turn on [Mono Audio for Headphones]. Alternatively, go to [Settings] > [Accessibility] > [Display and Sound]and then turn on [Mono Audio for Headphones].
  • You can now show a check mark on enabled settings so you can easily see that they’re turned on. • Go to [Settings] > [Accessibility] > [Display and Sound]and then turn on [Show Check Mark on Enabled Settings].
• In (Trophies), we’ve updated the following:
  • The visual design of trophy cards & the trophy list has been updated.
  • You can now see suggestions for which trophies to earn on the trophy tracker when you’re playing a game.
• For the features available from the Create menu, we’ve updated the following:
  • You can now start Share Screen and stream your gameplay to an open party.
• We’ve added a new feature: Voice Command (Preview). Voice Command (Preview) understands speech commands for finding and opening games and apps, as well as controlling media playback.
  • To get started, go to [Settings] > [Voice Command]and turn on [Enable Voice Command (Preview)]. Then, call out “Hey, PlayStation!” and ask your PS5 to do something.
  • You can use this feature to help you find and open games and apps, control your media without even touching a button, and much more. • Currently, Voice Command (Preview) is only available in English for players with PSN accounts in the US & UK.
• We’ve added Ukrainian language support.

Other updated features

• We made the following improvement in game library:
  • Under the [Your Collection] tab, you can now filter your games by genre to find the games you want to play more quickly.
• We’ve pinned PlayStation Plus to the left edge of the games home screen.
  • You can now redeem monthly games more quickly.
  • Get easier access to the PS Plus game collections from home screen.
• We’ve added a button guide to show you how to reload and zoom while using the Internet browser.
• If you want to report something that someone in a party said, there are now visual indicators for you to identify who was speaking. This will help PlayStation Safety take appropriate action based on your report.
• We’ve made the console safer for child accounts:
  • When viewing a purchased or installed game they’re restricted from playing, the background image of the game is hidden.
  • Activity cards, such as those displayed in the control center or game hub, won’t be displayed for age-restricted games.
• Now you can keep the games or apps you choose on your home screen.
  • When focused on a game or app, press the options button to open the options menu, and select [Keep in Home]. The games and apps you choose to keep will stay on your home screen.
  • You can keep a maximum of 5 games and apps on each home screen
  • You can now have three more games and apps appearing on your home screen.
• We now support more emojis.
• We changed the keyboard layout for Polish.
• We’ve updated the DualSense wireless controller device software to improve stability.

That’s quite a lot. If there are more changes that aren’t listed in the game’s settings that are found, we’ll be sure to update the post accordingly.