eli5: how does a PS4 know when to update?

Question

when a company releases a new version of software, like a game or a ps4 or a phone, how does it know that it has to update? how does the company tell the PS4 that it has to update now, and how does it tell every PS4 this?

In: Technology

Answer 1

I made an auto update application. Here’s the basics:

– application starts up

– checks a file that tells it basic system info (am I installed on the correct hardware? Who owns this hardware? System version?)

– pings the server, does some basic authentication (most apps/OSes won’t respond to pirated versions)

– server sends back latest recommended/stable version info

– ask user to update.