Xbox One and PlayStation 4 tips and tricks

Microsoft and Sony have both recently released their long awaited consoles, but with all the excitement, you might have missed a couple of their exciting features.

We have piled together a few tips and tricks so whether you have your hands on one already, or you're hoping to get them on one, you'll know what they are now capable of.

Xbox One knows who you are

One of the best features of the Xbox One is that it can use Kinect to recognise your face and sign you in automatically when you say "Xbox on".

Up to six registered users can do the same and it will allow you to switch between each one so they can all access their customised home screens.

Xbox One lets you stream music or video from your phone

Microsoft's console lets you stream content from your Android or iOS device to your Xbox One, allowing it to act as a player, via a variety of apps like Skifta for example.

You will need to download the Xbox Video app for playing videos or viewing a photo slideshow and the Xbox Music app for playing music, then the console will detect the incoming stream and put your content on the big screen.

Xbox One will control your TV and speakers

The Xbox One wants to be the centre of your living room. Once you let it know what type of TV you have, it will be able to turn your TV on and off, as well as change the volume, or mute, all at your command.

It will do the same thing for your connected speakers and in 2014, there will be integrated control of your set-top box too, for a seamless, integrated home entertainment experience.

Xbox One lets you create child profiles

The whole family can have their own profile on the Xbox One, including children. Profiles enable a range of protections and restrictions to ensure your kids won't be able to access specific content.

As an adult, you can set up a password to make sure purchases aren't made without your consent, as well as restrict access to your account.

You can instantly upload videos of your coolest moments on the PS4

The PS4 constantly records gameplay as video, catching the last 15 minutes should you want to share a great moment.

Once you have hit the share button, you'll be able to edit the 15 minutes just played to the part you want to share, and post it to Facebook, or broadcast your gameplay live to Twitch or Ustream.

It also allows you to upload screenshots to your social media accounts. Once you hit that share button, the PS4 will save a screengrab of whatever you are doing at the time.

You can play remotely on the PS4

The PS4 comes with a Remote Play function, which unsurprisingly lets you play remotely, but you will need a PS Vita.

Once you have enabled the function, you'll be able to connect the PS Vita using its connection settings and play a PS4 game on the handheld. The PS4 streams the video to the Vita and the Vita then controls the game. It means you don't even need to switch the TV on, or someone else in your household can still use the TV to switch channels. Ideally you should be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the PS4, but if the console's turned on you should be able to do it wherever you are – even over 4G LTE mobile internet (but watch those bills!).

The PS4 offers accelerometer-based password and text entry

Something you might not know about already is the accelerometer-based password and text entry offered on the PS4. It takes a bit of getting used to but in the end it is quicker and easier than using the keyboard.

You will need to click the right stick on the controller down and wiggle it to enter letters and numbers. If you are struggling, you can always hook up a Bluetooth keyboard and enter your text that way instead.

The PS4 will let you link to Twitter and Facebook

You will get the option to link your PSN profile to your Facebook and Twitter accounts when you first set up your Sony PS4.

You'll be able to post every time you earn a trophy, complete a game or reach a certain level. Of course, you can tweak what gets posted, limit who sees your postings or turn it off entirely.

© copyright Pocket-lint 2013