As the PlayStation 4 gears up for its third year on the market, Sony’s console is finally getting an officially licensed media remote from accessory manufacturer PDP.
PDP’s remote allows users to access all PlayStation 4 interface functionality. The remote can also control connected set top boxes, HDTVs, and audio receivers.
The PDP Universal Media Remote includes many of the buttons and features offered by traditional TV remotes, and additionally can control console functions accessed via the PlayStation 4’s square, circle, triangle, and X buttons. The remote also includes the DualShock 4 controller’s Home, Options, and Share buttons, allowing for quick and easy screen sharing via Twitch and other streaming services.
Buttons on PDP’s Universal Media Remote also trigger device-specific menu and guide screens. Other features include programmable buttons, keys that enable control of up to four connected devices, and an eject button for the PS4’s disc drive.
It took almost two years for the PlayStation 4 to receive an officially licensed remote peripheral after its 2013 launch, and the PS3 received a similar accessory in 2011. Microsoft’s competing Xbox One console also has its own media remote that features backlit keys and a comparatively pared-down approach to media browsing.
Several PlayStation 4 entertainment applications are compatible with the PDP Universal Media Remote, including film and TV streaming services like Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video, and HBO GO. The remote also supports sports apps like MLB.TV, NBA Game Time, NHL GameCenter Live, and the WWE Network.
Sony has launched its own array of video and music streaming services for the PlayStation 4, giving users the ability to purchase and rent feature films directly from the console’s PlayStation Store. Sony recently expanded its PlayStation Music catalog via a partnership with Spotify, allowing players to listen to streaming music during gameplay via a free ad-supported login or with an ad-free subscription.
The PDP Universal Media Remote for PlayStation 4 is priced at $30, and is available for pre-order from Amazon and GameStop. The remote will hit retail in North America on October 31.
