The popularity of handhelds regained momentum when the Nintendo Switch was released, and now video game giants like PlayStation and Valve released one of their own as well. The only difference is that PlayStation developed one that cannot function on its own. However, there's good news. There are now more places you can use it. 

PS Portal Support for Public Wi-Fi Networks

Since the PlayStation Portal is used for remote play, users will need a Wi-Fi network in order to connect to the base console, the PS5. Unfortunately, some networks in public places are off-limits due to the limitations brought by the device.

This applies to Wi-Fi networks that require users to sign in first. This time around, PlayStation's new update for the handheld is now allowing users to do so by going through the validation process using their smart devices.

Once the PS portal attempts to connect to the public network, it will display a QR code that can be scanned with a smartphone or tablet, and it will automatically open the device's web browser to continue the sign-in process for the handheld, according to the blog post. 

This makes it possible for users to play during their stay at hotels, cafes, airports, or other public places that have a Wi-Fi connection. Of course, there is a catch. The connection must be at least 5Mbps for a decent connection, and 15Mbps for a better play experience. 

Even with the new feature, players might not be able to enjoy it since public Wi-Fis are not known for their speed, considering that they are meant to be used by many. Between interference and bandwidth limitations, the handheld console might experience stutters.

Read Also: An Xbox Handheld Console Might Be in the Works, Microsoft Gaming Head Hints

Other Notable Updates

PlayStation is also releasing other key features that will help improve the gameplay experience for users. For instance, visual feedback for the touchpad areas on the screen has been added. It will only be displayed when the player is currently using the function.

Furthermore, the new update lets the device specifically indicate the battery percentage by tapping or swiping the emulated touchpad areas on the screen, as reported by The Verge, which is a nice change for those who want to know how long they still have for gameplay.

Previously, it was only vague bars and the battery percentage only appeared when the device was turned off and currently plugged in. The new feature can be activated through the Settings under System, then Battery, and toggle Show Battery Percentage.

Of course, there's one thing that most users would rather have, which is the ability of the handheld console to run on its own without a PS5, just like other handhelds like the Steam Deck, ROG Ally, Nintendo Switch, and Lenovo Legion Go.

With this, players won't need a stable internet connection to play games, apart from online games, of course. It also saves them from having to buy the PS5 console when they only want a handheld to occupy them when in public places. 

Related: Google Engineers Hacked the PlayStation Portal to Natively Run PSP Games