PlayStation 4 universal remote to release late October

Sony's new PS4 remote aims to free your living room of excess clickers while fully emulating a DualShock 4 controller.

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Although next-gen consoles can use a smartphone as an external controller, sometimes its nice to have a physical remote on hand. To meet this need, Sony has announced that the PlayStation 4's media remote will release later this month and will be compatible with a number of apps and content.

PlayStation 4 universal remote to release late October 1

Sony's new Universal Media Remote retails for $30 and can control up to four different devices including a PS4 console, a TV, a set-top cable box and an audio system via Bluetooth connectivity. It also fully emulates a DualShock 4 controller and comes with the four iconic face buttons, a PS button, and even a Share and Options button for easy screenshots.

What's more is that the remote fits perfectly with Sony's new PlayStation Vue television service, which aims to break cable dependence while making the PS4 into an all-in-one type media center. PS Vue streams live TV broadcasts over a PS4 console via the cloud and includes a huge smattering of networks including ShowTime, FOX, CBS, AMC, Nickelodeon, SyFy, TBS, USA and many more.

So far PlayStation Vue is only available across seven different cities including Miami, Philadelphia and Los Angeles, but Sony plans to roll it out to more regions in the future. The monthly service starts at $49.99 and works its way up to the $69.99 Elite package. All in all its a bit strange seeing Sony push these initiatives especially how the Xbox One's unified media ecosystem ethos was almost unanimously lambasted by the gaming community.

Of course the PS Universal Remote is perfectly good for Netflix binges, but oddly enough it apparently won't work with Hulu or Amazon video streaming when it ships. Below you can find a full list of compatible apps, and Sony plans to add full support at a later date. The remote will be $29.99 and releases later this month.

  • Blu-ray Disc Player
  • Crunchyroll
  • FUNimation
  • HBO GO
  • Media Player
  • NBA GAME TIME
  • Netflix
  • NFL Sunday Ticket
  • PlayStation Video
  • PlayStation Vue
  • Twitch
  • YouTube
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Derek joined the TweakTown team in 2015 and has since reviewed and played 1000s of hours of new games. Derek is absorbed with the intersection of technology and gaming, and is always looking forward to new advancements. With over six years in games journalism under his belt, Derek aims to further engage the gaming sector while taking a peek under the tech that powers it. He hopes to one day explore the stars in No Man's Sky with the magic of VR.

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