PlayStation Portal upgrade just made it more useful than ever

The dust has seemingly (finally) settled on the PlayStation 5 versus Xbox Series X|S debate, with both camps quite happy about where their respective audiences are for the current-gen consoles.

This doesn't mean the console war is over, and before both turn their attention toward announcing the next generation of hardware - presumably within the next two years - focus is being weighed on the handheld bout.

With Xbox primed to announce its handheld console soon and the Nintendo Switch 2 reportedly being around the corner, PlayStation is improving its Portal, which has opened the door to more on-the-go access than ever before.

PlayStation Portal now allows public access WiFi support

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Unlike the Switch and Xbox's planned handheld console, the PlayStation Portal requires internet access to play, with 60% of users actively using the remote play feature to physically port their games from console to Portal.

This proved rather menial for many on-the-go users who enjoy whipping out their small console on trains or flights, parks or fields, or just anywhere away from the comfy-yet-not-at-all-comfy gaming chairs. There was little point in getting a PS Portal unless you wanted to move from your set-up to your couch or other households.

Sony has finally opened up public WiFi access, allowing access in places such as hotels, cafes, stations, and airports. This gives the PS Portal that much-needed boost to play outside the comfort of your own home.

Players with a PS Portal will be able to scan a QR code on the device with their phone, which will allow them to authenticate the WiFi signal and begin playing their favourite titles remotely.

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"What’s more, PS Portal is making it easier for many players to access their games, with the average PS Portal owner’s engagement on PS5 going up within the first 8 weeks of using their PS Portal," said Hiromi Wakai, Siny VP of Product Management, in the PlayStation Blog.

Sony also detailed players' favourite games to play on the go, with multiplayer giants like Fortnite, Rocket League, and EA FC 24 being atop of the list alongside PlayStation mainstays Marvel's Spider-Man 2 and God of War Ragnarok.

Sony is surely hoping that this will prompt more players to finally take that step to move gaming away from the back-breaking setups, rivalling the already-successful Steam Deck, Switch, and upcoming rivals