Sony has released PS4 firmware update 8.00, which adds updates to party and messages, new free avatars, simplified parental controls, and enhanced two-step authentication that finally allows the use of apps. However, users have reported issues after installing the update, including one that blocks access to friends lists (and at the time of this writing, PSN is down).

　　After the update, party and message functions will be linked together more tightly, and you'll be able to use the same groups of players for party voice chats and message exchanges, instead of having different groups set up across the two apps. This will also be a cross-gen feature, as you'll be able to send messages to PS4 groups even if you are on PS5.

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　　New avatars have also been added, with players able to customize themselves with assets from Bloodborne, Journey, Ghost of Tsushima, God of War, The Last of Us Part II, The Last of Us Remastered, Uncharted 4: A Thief's End, and more. The days of you having that same little skeleton are over.

　　Security is being increased, with a new optional two-step verification feature on PS4 that allows for third-party authenticator apps to be used when signing in across PS4, mobile, and web. That means you no longer need to rely on SMS for 2FA, instead letting you add PSN to an app like Google Authenticator. You still can use the SMS option if you prefer.

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　　Parental controls are being simplified and combined with the "Communicating with Other Players" and "Viewing Content Created by other Players" settings to create an option that is intended to be easier for parents to understand and apply to their children.

　　The new firmware will also be removing some features from the PS4, as you will no longer be able to create Events or access existing Events created by other users once it has been installed. The ability to create private communities under the Community app on PS4 is being removed, although users who currently have such groups will still be able to access them.

　　The final big addition is the option to connect to PS5 consoles using the Remote Play App on mobile phones and PC, ahead of that console's launch on November 12.

　　There have been some reports though that the new update has made it harder to access Friends lists, with many users reporting Error WS-44369-6 messages when attempting to do so.

　　All my friends are gone.The PS4 era is coming to an end, but it's one that's worth celebrating by seeing how Sony's console stacked up against its predecessors and upcoming successor in our rundown of the best boot-up sequences from various consoles throughout the years.

　　Darryn Bonthuys on Google+