Upcoming PlayStation beta adds new controller features and intriguing new power state

Sony has announced new beta software for the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro. It adds a new "Power Saver Mode" that essentially runs the console at a lower power state. Some unspecified gameplay features and VR functionality will be disabled. Additionally, supported titles will 'scale back' performance.

The company says it won't be available immediately and will roll out later. Officially, it is meant to help with Sony's 'Road to Zero' environmental plan, but there's probably more to it. Unofficially, it might be Sony's method of testing how the console handles low-power states for a future handheld.

At full blast, the PlayStation 5's SoC can guzzle up to ~200 Watts at 4K (216 Watts for PS5 Pro). Even if it is cut in half, it will provide Sony with much-needed data on how games operate in a power-restricted environment. From there, it is simply a matter of scaling it down to the ~30-50 Watt sweet spot that most handheld consoles operate at, setting the stage for the putative PlayStation handheld. 

The new PlayStation beta also lets you pair your DualSense/DualSense Edge controller with multiple (up to four) devices. To get started, unplug your controller's USB cable, switch it off by long-pressing the PlayStation button, and put it in pairing mode by long-pressing the PS button and the square/triangle/circle/cross switch on Bluetooth on the target device. Then, find the DualSense controller and pair it as usual. Once the process is complete, the controller will 'remember' its slot (square/triangle/circle/cross).

Switching between devices is as easy as pressing and holding the PS and corresponding button together for three seconds. Overall, it is a great quality-of-life feature that also serves as a testing ground for how a DualSense controller handles multiple Bluetooth connections; valuable data for eventual integration with a portable console.