PlayStation Portal finally gets cloud streaming feature

Sony’s PlayStation Portal handheld is an interesting device which uses the company’s Remote Play service in order to stream titles from your home console to the portable peripheral. Since its launch last year, the device has proven to be a sales success – despite the lack of any proper cloud streaming. In a welcome update, the PS Portal will now be able to utilise the cloud to stream directly from Sony’s servers.

Making the announcement via a blog post celebrating the accessory’s 1 year anniversary, Hiromi Wakai – the VP of Product Management at SIE – said:

“Today we’re pleased to announce a new system software update for PS Portal that will begin releasing starting later today (Europe release begins Wednesday), which will introduce refinements in the audio experience, including:

• Speaker audio output adjustment to make the volume lower when the audio level is set to minimum
• You will now be able to adjust settings of your PlayStation Link device from the PS Portal Settings menu, allowing you to optimize the volume and sidetone volume.”

While the audio enhancements are certainly appreciated, easily the biggest update comes with the introduction of cloud streaming to the Portal, with Wakai stating:

“When the update is live, PlayStation Plus Premium members will be able to participate in a beta for cloud streaming on PS Portal, allowing select PS5 games in the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog to be streamed directly from our servers, even without a PS5 console.”

Of course, being a beta, the service’s functionality may change between now and its full release, but regardless, it is interesting to see Sony slowly but surely improving and adding to the functionality of the PS Portal.

Hopefully more similar substantial additions are planned for the future. 120 titles will be supported during the beta period. Full details on the update can be found HERE.

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KitGuru says: What do you think of the PS Portal’s first year on the market? Is proper cloud streaming a strong enough incentive for you? Let us know down below.

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