Finally, after months of anticipation, Sony's PlayStation 4 has arrived in retail stores across North America. With so many people firing up the console for the first time this weekend, now seems as good a time as any to give a detailed rundown of the console's hardware specs. Below are some key things to know about your new next-generation PlayStation 4, courtesy of IGN.
The Setup: When you first boot up the device, it will ask you to set up the time and suggest setting up an internet connection, you can also calibrate your camera if you have one however the latter two steps are optional. After that, you reportedly can jump right into the UI and insert a game disc to begin playing. To get the full experience, it's recommended that you sync your PlayStation Network, Twitter, Facebook and other available accounts to your console - a process that doesn't take too long due to the device's impressive hardware.
The Console: The small angular design of the PlayStation 4 is impressing many reviewers. Its size makes it feel and fit into your entertainment system as more of a set-top box rather than a full gaming console. It comes with a built-in power supply, making wire clutter as minimal as possible. For those who are sticklers about noise, the PS4 is not entirely silent but its low hum apparently isn't as bad as some other comparable devices.
DualShock 4 Controller: There's a lot of good with the DualShock 4 controller such as its indented thumbsticks, responsive triggers and bigger more ergonomic handles. However, according to one reviewer at IGN, there are a few bad elements to, what he still describes as "The best controller Sony ahs ever produced." The lightbar can be distracting at times, especially if you're playing in a dark room. The trackpad is a nice touch with a lot of untapped potential. So far, almost no next-gen games utilize the technology.
Remote Play: This feature has gone largely underrated and under-publicized in the lead up to the console's launch. This allows you to stream all of your PlayStation 4 content to your PlayStation Vita. In other words, if you live in a house with roommates or other people who don't want you hogging the TV in the living room for multiple hours at a time, you can still play and experience all your favorite PS4 games and features without being a TV hog or social recluse. However, with every good news comes a little bit of bad. The connection can drop out or pause to re-establish sometimes. That can be very distracting.
