The Sony PlayStation 5 is here at last – seven years after its predecessor appeared and proceeded to utterly dominate its competition. But this time, the PS5 has an uphill battle to convince everyone that it’s a necessary purchase.
It isn’t a gateway to gaming in a new resolution in the way that previous console generations were, and you don’t even need to buy one to play the latest games – there are almost no titles in its entire catalogue that can’t also be played on PS4.
But the PS5 has some unexpected tricks up its sleeve that make it feel like a proper generational upgrade and, ultimately, give it a leg up over the Xbox Series X.
Price
The PS5 is out now, priced at £450 ($500, AU$750), the same price Microsoft is charging for its Xbox Series X.
There is a more affordable PS5 Digital Edition (£360, $400, AU$600) which, according to Sony, is identical to the standard PS5 in terms of performance and specs but lacks an optical disc drive. Microsoft’s disc-less next-gen console, the Xbox Series S (£249, $300, AU$500), costs significantly less than the PS5 Digital Edition, but is also downgraded in a number of ways so (by design) isn’t in the same league.
Build
(Image credit: Future)
The PS5 is absolutely huge. So huge, it makes the Xbox Series X – a very large console in its own right – look decidedly compact. Standing vertically, Sony’s console is 9cm taller and 11cm deeper than its Microsoft rival, and is big enough to cause issues for those with limited space in their equipment racks, particularly as you have to allow space for it to stay cool.
Like the Xbox Series X, the PS5 uses a single, unusually large fan (by console standards) to keep itself cool, which it does very quietly indeed. Unlike the Xbox Series X, it’s not completely inaudible in a silent room, but the consistent whirr is quiet enough to be drowned out by any sound coming from your TV or sound system.
With both consoles, the disc drive is noisier than the fan, particularly when playing a 4K Blu-ray. Here, though, we peg the PS5 at about 5dB quieter than the Xbox. That’s enough to make a difference and, while neither will intrude on your movie soundtrack, you are more likely to notice the Xbox in the quieter moments. It isn’t an issue with games, as even those bought on disc run primarily from the consoles’ built-in storage.
In terms of the PS5’s looks, we’ll leave you to make up your own mind. For every person who likes the way it’s styled, there seems to be at least one more who hates it. Perhaps this Marmite-like reaction is precisely what Sony was going for.
You can at least position it vertically rather than horizontally if that better suits your furniture and/or tastes, but swapping orientation involves unscrewing and repositioning the included pedestal stand: the console’s curves mean it won’t simply lie flat.
Sony PlayStation 5 tech specs
(Image credit: Future)
Maximum resolution 4K
Maximum frame rate 120fps
Storage 825GB SSD
Outputs HDMI 2.1, 3.5mm headphone jack (on controller), USB (Type-A) x3, USB-C
The PS5’s controller is the first real indication that Sony has opted to go beyond sheer processing power and aimed for a more holistic upgrade encompassing the way games feel and sound.
The new DualSense is a massive step up from its DualShock predecessor, and is packed with technology that helps immerse you in the games you play in new and inventive ways.
It’s all down to a series of motors that provide haptic feedback as well as resistance in the triggers. Pull down the left trigger to aim down the sites of a gun in Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and the resistance under your finger varies, depending on the weight of the weapon. Pull the right trigger and the first bit of movement is light before you get to a sort of bite point that you need to click through to fire the gun.
Switch to Astro’s Playroom and you can feel raindrops as they land on his umbrella. It sounds gimmicky, but it’s testament to the quality of the engineering and the way it’s seamlessly integrated with the visuals and sound that the opposite is true.
The DualSense is bigger than the PS4’s DualShock 4 and quite weighty, too. The general shape and button layout is the same, though, and if you’re comfortable gaming on a PS4, you should have no problem here.
One other addition that’s fairly easy to miss (and even dismiss) is the DualSense’s integrated microphone, which has its own mute button above. This allows you to plug any pair of standard wired headphones into the bottom of the controller while still being able to communicate with friends in online games.
That’s a particularly big deal because any standard headphones plugged into the DualSense can take advantage of the console’s bespoke 3D audio technology. The controller’s integrated microphone makes voices sound tinny, but clarity is decent as long as there isn’t much background noise. All told, this is an excellent solution that allows everyone to experience 3D audio.
Features
(Image credit: Future)
In the battle of the spec sheets, the PS5 appears to lose out against the Xbox Series X. Both have 8-core CPUs from AMD, but the Xbox’s are clocked at 3.8GHz while the PS5’s are 3.5GHz. Both consoles also use AMD graphics processors, with the Xbox’s providing 12 teraflops of power to the PS5’s 10.28 teraflops.
Both consoles use SSDs (solid-state drives) rather than mechanical hard disk drives, with Microsoft offering a terabyte of storage to the PS5’s 825GB. But the way Sony has designed and integrated the PS5’s storage makes it so fast (more than twice as fast as that of the Series X, in fact) that it essentially boosts overall console performance.
But neither console uses that power to deliver 8K. As with the Xbox Series X, the PS5 has no 8K output option within its menus. Instead, 4K at 60Hz is the performance target, with 120Hz available via some games, often at the cost of resolution and/or certain graphical features.
One such graphical feature that this new console generation brings with it is ray tracing, which massively improves lighting, shadows and reflections. This has the potential to transform almost everything you see on screen, making games look vastly more realistic.
Like the Xbox Series X, the PS5 allows you to prioritise graphical quality or performance for many games. Delve into the Game Presets section of the settings and you can choose between Resolution Mode and Performance Mode. While any 4K HDR TV will be capable of supporting Resolution Mode, even when it includes ray tracing, if a game has a 120Hz Performance Mode, you won’t be able to take advantage unless you also have a TV that supports 120Hz. These are still relatively rare. In fact, we’re only aware of one model under 55 inches that supports 4K@120Hz (the LG OLED48CX). Check out our list of the best gaming TVs for guidance.
For many people, a console needs to be an all-round entertainment device rather than a pure games machine. The PS5 obliges with a selection of streaming apps and a 4K Blu-ray player, although there are some flaws and missteps here.
One of the big flaws is that Dolby Atmos isn’t supported at a system level. Instead, 7.1-channel PCM is the highest-quality audio delivery that can be selected in the console’s menus, and that’s the best you’ll get out of any games or streaming apps. You can, though, enable Atmos for Blu-rays by accessing a hidden menu within the Disc Player app. Why it’s available here and not across the system as a whole is a mystery, though we should be grateful that it’s supported at all – Dolby Vision is not.
The Disc Player app is also unique in that it’s able to override the system’s frame rate and dynamic range settings. If you play a standard Blu-ray movie, for example, it will be output at 24fps and in SDR, just as it should. Every streaming app, though, outputs in line with the console’s main settings, so SDR films are upconverted to 60fps and HDR, which can result in some judder and exaggerated colours. Again, if the Blu-ray player can match its output to the content being played, why can’t the console’s streaming apps?
In terms of actual app selection, the PS5 is roughly on a par with the Xbox Series X. Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV are all here in 4K and with (genuine) HDR. Disney+ is on board, too, but is currently only in Full HD and SDR (although the console will upscale to 4K and upconvert to HDR).
UK owners also get Now TV, BT Sport and TV from Sky (essentially Sky Go for the big screen), but of the terrestrial catch-up services, only All 4 is included. BBC iPlayer is missing and though it’s unlikely you bought a new console to watch Eastenders, you might expect to have the option.
Performance
(Image credit: Future)
As soon as you turn the PS5 on, it’s clear that this is a next-generation console. While the Xbox Series X bizarrely seems determined to convince you that it’s just like the Xbox One you owned before it, the PS5 screams newness from its sultry logos and 4K HDR user interface, to its new home screen with game ‘cards’ that fill your screen and speakers when highlighted. It’s a fresh, super-stylish presentation, but familiar enough to ensure that existing PS4 gamers will quickly find their way about. The clear icons, logical layout and snappy operation aid its usability, too.
The PS5 has an even better next-gen trick up its sleeve, in the form of Astro’s Playroom, which is pre-installed on the console. Not only is this a great platforming game in its own right, it also serves as an ingenious introduction to the DualSense controller’s many features, plus the super-polished, super-smooth 4K/60Hz presentation.
Once we’ve had enough cutesy robot fun, we move on to Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, which is a great showcase for both next-gen consoles. By default, the game runs in 4K at a consistent 60 frames per second, but you have the option to either further enhance the visuals by enabling ray tracing, or enhance the performance by enabling 120Hz.
Each option has its merits: competitive gamers will go for the responsive 120Hz mode (if their TV supports it), while those who prioritise cinematic spectacle will want to enable the lovely ray tracing feature. In fact, there’s an argument that 120Hz is of most use in multiplayer, while ray tracing makes sense for the campaign, so it’s a bit of a shame that you have to quit the game in order to activate and deactivate Performance Mode.
Switching between Call Of Duty on PS5 and Xbox Series X, it’s difficult to spot any differences in either the presentation or the performance. There may be some on the spec sheet, but if one is a better performer than the other, it’s not obvious here.
We play the new, Sony-exclusive Spider-Man: Miles Morales and are again given the option of playing in a ray tracing-enabled mode (Fidelity Mode) or Performance Mode. Fidelity Mode runs at just 30 frames per second, but looks glorious. This is a pseudo-sequel to the Spider-Man game that came out on the PS4 in 2018, and is set in the same city.
On the PS5, though, it is packed with extra details, people and traffic, and the ray tracing adds stunning reflections to all of its windows, vehicles and puddles. This has a transformative effect on the scale of the presentation. The city simply looks bigger, busier and more realistic and Miles Morales feels like the strongest advert yet for next-gen. These are still early days, though, and even this game was designed for both PS4 and PS5. It’s likely just a glimpse at what’s to come in the next few years.
Taking a break from gaming, the PS5 serves as a capable streamer and disc-player, its limitations notwithstanding. Jack Ryan streamed from Amazon Prime Video is punchy, dynamic and naturally balanced in its colours. The Apple TV 4K produces a slightly more sophisticated and nuanced delivery, but the PS5 is certainly a match for the Xbox Series X.
Switching to the 4K Blu-ray of Blade Runner 2049, we’re impressed by the depth, solidity and three-dimensionality of the PS5’s delivery. It produces deeper blacks than the Xbox Series X, which currently has an issue that Microsoft has promised to fix. That has benefits across the whole picture, particularly in terms of drama, dynamism and colours. However, the PS5 isn’t a match for even the most affordable dedicated 4K Blu-ray players when it comes to subtlety of shading and stability in motion. If you’re serious about disc-based movies, a standalone player is still the way to go.
Sound
(Image credit: Future)
Spinning up the bombing-run scene of Unbroken via Blu-ray, it turns out that the PS5 can do a very good job of Dolby Atmos soundtracks when given the chance. It doesn’t quite have the crispness or dynamic punch of a dedicated player such as the Sony UBP-X700, but the console produces a muscular, room-filling sound with good clarity and well-placed sound effects.
While Dolby Atmos isn’t an option for games, those who already own a surround sound system will be relieved to hear that that’s still the optimal way to enjoy game soundtracks.
That’s not to say the PS5’s bespoke 3D audio system isn’t good, because it really is. We test it with a pair of B&O BeoPlay H2 on-ears and the extravagant Grado GS2000e over-ears, each plugged into the DualSense controller, plus the official, wireless PS5 Pulse headset. In each case, we find that the so-called Tempest Engine delivers open, spacious and atmospheric sound with good placement of effects and a convincing sense of three-dimensionality.
In the CIA safehouse at the start of Call Of Duty, the 3D audio gives a real sense of the cavernous nature of the place, the distance of each character as they speak and the echo as their voice reacts to the interior walls of the warehouse. You get none of this when listening in simple stereo.
There’s a slight synthetic note to the presentation that isn’t there when listening through proper speakers and, try as it might, the processing can’t quite place effects directly in front or behind you. Still, if you don’t already have a surround-sound package, the PS5’s 3D audio is an excellent solution that makes use of the headphones you may already own.
Verdict
While the PS5 and Xbox Series X both suffer from a lack of exclusive games, the PS5 certainly fares better on that front and, crucially, makes a better all-round case for getting on board the next-gen train. It feels fresh and new, has an innovative controller, features bespoke 3D audio tech that anyone with a pair of simple wired headphones can take advantage of, and a built-in game that introduces you to all these cool new things in charming style. None of this can be said of the new Xbox.
Its credentials as an all-in-one entertainment device are rather dented by its complete lack of Dolby Vision, its lack of Dolby Atmos everywhere but in the Disc Player app, and its slight app gaps, but some or all of these issues could be fixed in time.
Besides, the majority of people will buy a next-gen console for next-gen gaming, and it’s the PS5 that delivers this most effectively – not in terms of resolution and frame rates, which are no higher here than from the Xbox – but in terms of new, game-changing tech and a dazzling user experience.
The federal government is ordering the dissolution of TikTok’s Canadian business after a national security review of the Chinese company behind the social media platform, but stopped short of ordering people to stay off the app.
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced the government’s “wind up” demand Wednesday, saying it is meant to address “risks” related to ByteDance Ltd.’s establishment of TikTok Technology Canada Inc.
“The decision was based on the information and evidence collected over the course of the review and on the advice of Canada’s security and intelligence community and other government partners,” he said in a statement.
The announcement added that the government is not blocking Canadians’ access to the TikTok application or their ability to create content.
However, it urged people to “adopt good cybersecurity practices and assess the possible risks of using social media platforms and applications, including how their information is likely to be protected, managed, used and shared by foreign actors, as well as to be aware of which country’s laws apply.”
Champagne’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment seeking details about what evidence led to the government’s dissolution demand, how long ByteDance has to comply and why the app is not being banned.
A TikTok spokesperson said in a statement that the shutdown of its Canadian offices will mean the loss of hundreds of well-paying local jobs.
“We will challenge this order in court,” the spokesperson said.
“The TikTok platform will remain available for creators to find an audience, explore new interests and for businesses to thrive.”
The federal Liberals ordered a national security review of TikTok in September 2023, but it was not public knowledge until The Canadian Press reported in March that it was investigating the company.
At the time, it said the review was based on the expansion of a business, which it said constituted the establishment of a new Canadian entity. It declined to provide any further details about what expansion it was reviewing.
A government database showed a notification of new business from TikTok in June 2023. It said Network Sense Ventures Ltd. in Toronto and Vancouver would engage in “marketing, advertising, and content/creator development activities in relation to the use of the TikTok app in Canada.”
Even before the review, ByteDance and TikTok were lightning rod for privacy and safety concerns because Chinese national security laws compel organizations in the country to assist with intelligence gathering.
Such concerns led the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a bill in March designed to ban TikTok unless its China-based owner sells its stake in the business.
Champagne’s office has maintained Canada’s review was not related to the U.S. bill, which has yet to pass.
Canada’s review was carried out through the Investment Canada Act, which allows the government to investigate any foreign investment with potential to might harm national security.
While cabinet can make investors sell parts of the business or shares, Champagne has said the act doesn’t allow him to disclose details of the review.
Wednesday’s dissolution order was made in accordance with the act.
The federal government banned TikTok from its mobile devices in February 2023 following the launch of an investigation into the company by federal and provincial privacy commissioners.
— With files from Anja Karadeglija in Ottawa
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2024.
LONDON (AP) — Most people have accumulated a pile of data — selfies, emails, videos and more — on their social media and digital accounts over their lifetimes. What happens to it when we die?
It’s wise to draft a will spelling out who inherits your physical assets after you’re gone, but don’t forget to take care of your digital estate too. Friends and family might treasure files and posts you’ve left behind, but they could get lost in digital purgatory after you pass away unless you take some simple steps.
Here’s how you can prepare your digital life for your survivors:
Apple
The iPhone maker lets you nominate a “ legacy contact ” who can access your Apple account’s data after you die. The company says it’s a secure way to give trusted people access to photos, files and messages. To set it up you’ll need an Apple device with a fairly recent operating system — iPhones and iPads need iOS or iPadOS 15.2 and MacBooks needs macOS Monterey 12.1.
For iPhones, go to settings, tap Sign-in & Security and then Legacy Contact. You can name one or more people, and they don’t need an Apple ID or device.
You’ll have to share an access key with your contact. It can be a digital version sent electronically, or you can print a copy or save it as a screenshot or PDF.
Take note that there are some types of files you won’t be able to pass on — including digital rights-protected music, movies and passwords stored in Apple’s password manager. Legacy contacts can only access a deceased user’s account for three years before Apple deletes the account.
Google
Google takes a different approach with its Inactive Account Manager, which allows you to share your data with someone if it notices that you’ve stopped using your account.
When setting it up, you need to decide how long Google should wait — from three to 18 months — before considering your account inactive. Once that time is up, Google can notify up to 10 people.
You can write a message informing them you’ve stopped using the account, and, optionally, include a link to download your data. You can choose what types of data they can access — including emails, photos, calendar entries and YouTube videos.
There’s also an option to automatically delete your account after three months of inactivity, so your contacts will have to download any data before that deadline.
Facebook and Instagram
Some social media platforms can preserve accounts for people who have died so that friends and family can honor their memories.
When users of Facebook or Instagram die, parent company Meta says it can memorialize the account if it gets a “valid request” from a friend or family member. Requests can be submitted through an online form.
The social media company strongly recommends Facebook users add a legacy contact to look after their memorial accounts. Legacy contacts can do things like respond to new friend requests and update pinned posts, but they can’t read private messages or remove or alter previous posts. You can only choose one person, who also has to have a Facebook account.
You can also ask Facebook or Instagram to delete a deceased user’s account if you’re a close family member or an executor. You’ll need to send in documents like a death certificate.
TikTok
The video-sharing platform says that if a user has died, people can submit a request to memorialize the account through the settings menu. Go to the Report a Problem section, then Account and profile, then Manage account, where you can report a deceased user.
Once an account has been memorialized, it will be labeled “Remembering.” No one will be able to log into the account, which prevents anyone from editing the profile or using the account to post new content or send messages.
X
It’s not possible to nominate a legacy contact on Elon Musk’s social media site. But family members or an authorized person can submit a request to deactivate a deceased user’s account.
Passwords
Besides the major online services, you’ll probably have dozens if not hundreds of other digital accounts that your survivors might need to access. You could just write all your login credentials down in a notebook and put it somewhere safe. But making a physical copy presents its own vulnerabilities. What if you lose track of it? What if someone finds it?
Instead, consider a password manager that has an emergency access feature. Password managers are digital vaults that you can use to store all your credentials. Some, like Keeper,Bitwarden and NordPass, allow users to nominate one or more trusted contacts who can access their keys in case of an emergency such as a death.
But there are a few catches: Those contacts also need to use the same password manager and you might have to pay for the service.
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Is there a tech challenge you need help figuring out? Write to us at onetechtip@ap.org with your questions.
LONDON (AP) — Britain’s competition watchdog said Thursday it’s opening a formal investigation into Google’s partnership with artificial intelligence startup Anthropic.
The Competition and Markets Authority said it has “sufficient information” to launch an initial probe after it sought input earlier this year on whether the deal would stifle competition.
The CMA has until Dec. 19 to decide whether to approve the deal or escalate its investigation.
“Google is committed to building the most open and innovative AI ecosystem in the world,” the company said. “Anthropic is free to use multiple cloud providers and does, and we don’t demand exclusive tech rights.”
San Francisco-based Anthropic was founded in 2021 by siblings Dario and Daniela Amodei, who previously worked at ChatGPT maker OpenAI. The company has focused on increasing the safety and reliability of AI models. Google reportedly agreed last year to make a multibillion-dollar investment in Anthropic, which has a popular chatbot named Claude.
Anthropic said it’s cooperating with the regulator and will provide “the complete picture about Google’s investment and our commercial collaboration.”
“We are an independent company and none of our strategic partnerships or investor relationships diminish the independence of our corporate governance or our freedom to partner with others,” it said in a statement.
The U.K. regulator has been scrutinizing a raft of AI deals as investment money floods into the industry to capitalize on the artificial intelligence boom. Last month it cleared Anthropic’s $4 billion deal with Amazon and it has also signed off on Microsoft’s deals with two other AI startups, Inflection and Mistral.
