By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
PS5 Home - The Home of PS5PS5 Home - The Home of PS5
  • Editorials
    EditorialsShow More
    The Greatest PS Games of All Time
    8 Min Read
    Could PS VR2 Transform The VR Landscape?
    7 Min Read
    Everything Announced In The February 2023 PlayStation State Of Play
    11 Min Read
    The 10 Most Exciting PSVR 2 Games
    7 Min Read
    Despite The Secrecy, Ardent Fans Discover About PS5 Features To Expect In 2023
    8 Min Read
  • Games
    GamesShow More
    Top PS5 Exclusives Coming Out in 2023
    7 Min Read
    The Biggest PS5 Games In March 2023
    7 Min Read
    The 10 Most Exciting PSVR 2 Games
    7 Min Read
    PSVR 2 – Price, Release Date, Features, And More
    8 Min Read
    Knockout Gaming: The Best Boxing Titles for PlayStation 5
    7 Min Read
  • News
  • How To Guides
    How To GuidesShow More
    Can you use a VPN with the PS5?
    4 Min Read
    Can You Use Discord On PS5?
    7 Min Read
    FIFA 23 Tips to Win More Matches
    8 Min Read
    Fortnite Finally Gets A Tutorial
    6 Min Read
    How To Close PS5 Applications
    7 Min Read
  • Console
    ConsoleShow More
    PSVR 2 – Price, Release Date, Features, And More
    8 Min Read
    PS5 owners regard console as primary console ahead of Xbox Series X Owners
    2 Min Read
    PS5 DualSense vs DualShock 4: What’s different?
    6 Min Read
    What makes the PS5 better than the PS4?
    4 Min Read
    Can You Use Discord On PS5?
    7 Min Read
  • Get The PS5
  • >
    • Accessories
    • Rumors
  • PS4 Home
Search
© 2022 Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: The PlayStation 5 Has No Web Browser – Here’s Why
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Latest News
Which are the most popular casino games to play on PS5?
March 29, 2023
The Ongoing Popularity Of The FIFA Franchise
March 27, 2023
Top PS5 Exclusives Coming Out in 2023
March 22, 2023
Best New Game Releases of 2023 So Far
March 19, 2023
How to Choose the Best Live Casino Site: Factors to Consider Before Signing Up
March 15, 2023
Aa
PS5 Home - The Home of PS5PS5 Home - The Home of PS5
Aa
  • Editorials
  • Games
  • News
  • How To Guides
  • Console
  • Get The PS5
  • >
  • PS4 Home
Search
  • Editorials
  • Games
  • News
  • How To Guides
  • Console
  • Get The PS5
  • >
    • Accessories
    • Rumors
  • PS4 Home
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2022 Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.
PS5 Home - The Home of PS5 > Blog > Editor's picks > The PlayStation 5 Has No Web Browser – Here’s Why
Editor's picksEditorialsFeatured

The PlayStation 5 Has No Web Browser – Here’s Why

PS5 Home
Last updated: 2020/11/12 at 5:34 PM
PS5 Home Published November 12, 2020
Share
SHARE

Web browsers on consoles have been something of a fixture ever since the days of the PlayStation 3. Sony’s third generation of PlayStation consoles featured a fairly basic web browser which allowed you to surf the internet and visit your favourite sites, and although it wasn’t particularly packed with functionality, it was a neat thing to have. Similarly, the Nintendo Wii and Wii U both had very, very stripped-back versions of web browsers, and the PlayStation 4 iterated on the PS3’s browser by providing a slightly more feature-rich version of that console’s offering.

Believe it or not, gamers did actually use these browsers. They couldn’t compete with desktop versions of flagship apps like Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, but they were perfectly functional ways to browse the internet, especially if your PC or laptop wasn’t quite up to the task. With that in mind, Sony offered some potentially distressing news to fans of this underrated feature on their previous console iterations: the PlayStation 5 would not feature a web browser. There isn’t one to be found anywhere within the console’s UI.

Why isn’t there a PS5 web browser?

According to Sony platform planning VP Hideaki Nishino, the PS5 won’t ship with a web browser because the company thinks it’s unnecessary. Nishino says he uses a web browser as “a component to use various network functions”, but that he has doubts a web browser is necessary on a console operating system. Nishino also said that it would take “some man-hours” to install a web browser, so it sounds like the company isn’t willing to put in the extra work for a feature that is, in the end, not particularly widely-used. It makes sense, but we’re still sad to see it go.

What does this mean for the PS5?

There are lots of implications concerning the removal of the PS5’s web browser. For one thing, you won’t be able to quickly tab out of a game and check a walkthrough or hint section for some advice while you’re stuck anymore. Luckily, Sony is trying to remedy that particular issue with the Game Help feature, which allows PlayStation Plus members to access in-game hints and help with particular trophies or unlockable content in games. These hints come with embedded videos that demonstrate a player performing the actions needed for that particular unlock, so they’re just like tabbing out to check YouTube, only you don’t need to leave the PS5 ecosystem to do so.

Does the Xbox Series X have a web browser?

In short, yes. Microsoft’s Xbox Series X – along with its weaker cousin, the Series S – will feature the company’s Microsoft Edge browser as a built-in standard. Before you scoff, Microsoft Edge has actually improved in recent years, so that’s not quite the death sentence it may initially appear. However, we’re confident Sony can still win the race even without a web browser. As Nishino says, it’s not exactly an essential feature for a next-gen console to have in 2020. We don’t think anyone’s rushing to their local game retailer in the desperate hope they can obtain a glorified web browsing machine.

Can the PS5 survive without a browser?

Again, we’re not particularly worried that the PlayStation 5 doesn’t feature a web browser. We’re with Nishino on this one; the inclusion of a browser isn’t particularly essential to a console’s survival or adoption rate, and given that most people didn’t seem to use the feature on either PS4 or PS3, it’s unlikely that the lack of this feature will affect Sony’s performance in an adverse manner. Of course, there will be people who wish the web browser would make a return, which we fully understand. However, the majority of gamers don’t seem like they’re going to miss it.

Could I install a custom web browser on my PS5?

We would very, very strongly caution against doing anything at all that might void the warranty of your console. Jailbreaking processes for machines like the PS3 and PS4 do exist, with some enterprising individuals and organisations inventing ways to install custom operating systems and bypass Sony’s default OS. However, this is unlikely to happen in the early days of the PS5, and again, we must stress that doing this could void your warranty and make your machine unrepairable in the event that something goes wrong. Don’t install any custom software on your PS5.

Will the PS6 have a web browser?

Given Sony’s reluctance to include a web browser with the PS5, the company including a browser with any of its subsequent consoles is looking highly unlikely. Of course, if enough players get together to complain about the web browser being absent, then it’s possible Sony could include the feature in later consoles. This isn’t likely to happen, though, as it’s not an in-demand feature. As such, expect the PS5 to herald the death knell of the PlayStation web browser. The Nintendo Switch doesn’t feature one, either, so we’d be surprised if Xbox continued to install web browsers on its systems as standard.

This has been our post-mortem of web browsers on PlayStation architecture. Are you sad to see the web browser go? Do you wish the PS5 featured a browser? If so, which of the major desktop options do you think Sony should opt for? Let us know! 

3.3 3 votes
Article Rating

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Be keep up! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.

Subscribe to PS5 Home - get alerts about the PS5!

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
PS5 Home November 12, 2020
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article PlayStation Gear Store: Fashion Merchandise Available 
Next Article What Makes The PS5 Launch So Special?
Leave a comment
Subscribe
Connect with
Notify of
guest
Connect with
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Latest News

Which are the most popular casino games to play on PS5?
eSports
The Ongoing Popularity Of The FIFA Franchise
eSports
Top PS5 Exclusives Coming Out in 2023
Games
Best New Game Releases of 2023 So Far
General Gaming

You Might also Like

Editorials

The Greatest PS Games of All Time

8 Min Read
Editor's picksEditorialsFeaturedNewsOther tech

Could PS VR2 Transform The VR Landscape?

7 Min Read
Editor's picksEditorialsFeaturedNews

Everything Announced In The February 2023 PlayStation State Of Play

11 Min Read
FeaturedGamesNews

The Biggest PS5 Games In March 2023

7 Min Read
Follow US

© 2022 PS5Home.com. All Rights Reserved.

iNET VENTURES / PS4 Home / Gamerbolt.com

  • Home
  • Contact and Advertising
wpDiscuz

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?