The PlayStation 4’s most significant update to date, is live and available to download. In fact, as with other updates, if you want to access the PlayStation Network you have to download and install it. This update (2.5) though, which clocks in at 245 MB, doesn’t just offer the usual bug fixes or stability optimizations, it brings new features to Sony’s next gen console.

Amongst the most notable of these is the facility to now place a game in suspend/resume mode. This makes it easier and quicker to jump back into a game, after putting the console into rest mode, and enables players to switch into a powered up state and resume whatever they were playing with a press of the PS button on their controller.

Sharing is caring

Another noteworthy feature, the update will also allow users to backup and restore their data contained on the PS4 to an external USB hard drive. Along with settings, screenshots and videos, users will also be able to backup games, patches and download data. This should evoke a sigh of relief for those of us who don’t enjoy unlimited high speed internet and shudder at the thought of having to redownload these when changing the PS4’s hard drive.

Lastly, social sharing has received some extensive attention. The new update brings Facebook Friend Finder, which enables users to link their account, and expand their PlayStation network by searching and connecting with your Facebook friends.

Additionally, friend requests have been improved, the process of creating a party has been streamlined, and a Friends Who Play This section has been added, which also highlights which friends are currently online and playing the same game as you. Provided they own the game, players can then jump directly into the game, which should be a boon for co-op titles in particular. For a full list of all the update brings, visit PlayStation’s blog.