Sony enables cloud streaming for PlayStation Portal via an update – with a caveat

Why it matters: Probably the biggest complaint about the PlayStation Portal has been the fact it can only stream games direct from your PS5 over Wi-Fi. Now, Sony is pushing out an update for the device that lets users stream select games from the cloud – you don't even need a PlayStation 5 console. The caveat is that it's only available to PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers.

There was some surprise when Sony launched the PlayStation Portal last year. The $200 device is advertised as a gaming accessory rather than dedicated handheld gaming console like the Nintendo Switch as it only streams games from a PS5 via Wi-Fi using Remote Play. It's essentially a controller with an 8-inch, 1080p secondary screen.

Sony markets the Portal as a way to play your PS5 games while letting someone else use the living room TV, or to play elsewhere in the home ...