DualAnalog
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WikiPad prototype hits CES 2012, does exist
Wikipad's promise of a touchscreen, dual-analog gaming controls and glasses-free display meant we were itching to get our gaming fingers on it. Heck, on paper that's the illegitimate love child of the Vita and the 3DS. Fortunately, we managed to bump into the tablet on the CES show floor. It turns out the tablet is quite a svelte thing once you unshackle it from the game controls. With a soft-touch backing, the eight-inch tablet hits the sweet spot size-wise, with a glasses-free 3D display that was able to show off the entirety of Avatar. Otherwise, it's Ice Cream Sandwich as normal. We're going to shrug off the OS sluggishness here to prototype teething, but it's something that we hope disappears in the finished product. Sadly, there's a bit of a major problem tackling a hands-on with this thing -- and it's not the Gamegear-trouncing size of the thing; the gaming controls weren't functioning with any games on the device we had. While the Sonic CD app icon on the Android desktop piqued our interest, it wasn't installed and we were then told that the controls weren't currently working with games. Menu navigation was possible, and the digital inputs were responsive, but a little shaky. The pair of analog sticks feel about right, though obviously we need to see some in-game responsiveness before we pass proper judgement. The device is set to launch during Spring, so hopefully they'll get the gaming side sorted soon. Expect a more in-depth hands-on when there's more to play around with. Sean Cooper contributed to this report.
WikiPad ties up glasses-free 3D with game controls, all in a happy Android ICS package
We're not lacking for tablets to check out when CES opens -- for real -- later today. And here's another one that we're intrigued to see whether it makes it past the point of vaporware. The features sound pretty persuasive, with a glasses-free 3D display, gaming controls -- including dual-analog sticks -- and, apparently, Ice Cream Sandwich. The WikiPad is pegged for launch this spring through its (at the moment, pretty empty) site below. The Julian Assange endorsement is presumably still pending.
60beat GamePad connects to iOS devices, requests 50 bucks for the privilege
iOS devices certainly aren't lacking for gaming accessories, but we're always willing to welcome a new contender. 60beat believes it's got the ideal solution in the shape of this familiar-looking controller. It connects to an iPhone, iPad or iPod through the headphone jack and offers up some familiar gaming options in the shape of dual-analog sticks and digital inputs. Unfortunately, the controller's been saddled with a $50 price tag and is only fully enabled with two games. More games are promised for next year, and here's hoping they'll include some big hitters. Anyone rolling in cash money can check out 60beat's hard sell -- and some unusual spa relaxation music -- in its promo vid right after the break.
Circle Pad Pro cracked open, plenty of room to put your feet up
Earlier this week, Nintendo announced its February 7th US release date for the Circle Pad Pro accessory exclusively through Gamestop. If you've caught yourself wondering about its components, the guys over at ldblog were able to get their hands on the unit that you see above. Beyond basic capacitors for the peripheral's single AAA battery, there's a lot of empty room inside the case -- almost too much. The Circle Pad's spacious interior leaves us wondering, could Nintendo have used this room for an extra stylus holder, or perhaps, to accommodate the beefier AA battery? The world may never know.
Sony patent shows the SIXAXIS getting friendly with a PSP
So the PSP "lite" didn't exactly usher in a golden age of dual analog stick gaming that many Sony fans have been pining for, but it looks like a stop-gap savior might be in the works all the same. Sony has applied for a patent to hitch its DualShock or SIXAXIS controllers to the PSP as a sort of dock, allowing for wired or even wireless control of the PSP. Of course, dual analog control won't be much help on most PSP games, but gamers will be able to enjoy that downloadable PSX content as it was originally intended. That is, of course, if this harebrained scheme ever makes it to market.[Via PSP Fanboy]
Dual analog PSP becomes gaming's hottest video
With more than 60,000 views and counting, this video of a PSP modded with two analog sticks, is gaming's hottest video on YouTube. Well, at least according to the Joystiq folks. It makes sense, though: this is the single most wanted feature for a PSP revision. Although this modification won't allow for true analog on the right hand (it's simply replicating the actions of the face buttons), it should feel quite natural for DualShock (and Sixaxis) players. However, as cool as this mod is, I wouldn't want my system to look like that.See also:Analog stick from the "ghetto"Beef jerky + magic = PSP analog stick
Today's hottest game video: PSP 'dual-analog' mod
Today's most-watched YouTube game video shows the result of a slick dual-analog mod for the PSP. Well, sort of ...We can't tell if the right analog-style stick is inputing variable speeds, or if it's just mirroring the digital face buttons. (We're leaning towards digital input through the analog-type stick.) Still, it's a cool hack, and your right thumb won't be jealous of the already-mentioned left-stick hack.See the video after the break.
Sony pulled rumble from PSOne controllers?
After the CliffyB coincidence, we thought to give you another look at a retro article with modern application. From the very first issue of PSM Magazine from September 1997 (found as a PDF on Retro Gaming -- click on the image to the right), a Kotaku reader pointed out an article on page 16 talks about the then-imminent US release of the PlayStation One dual analog controller. The US version had one slight difference than its Japanese brethren: no rumble. The article cited "another company" (Immersion?) who owned the patent to the vibration technology -- my, how times have changed. However, the other theory (not from Sony) is that the new-fangled vibration technology, "however slight, eventually causes the controller to break" after extended use. Obviously, with such a powerful seismic force, there's no way Sony could figure out how to combine rumble and motion sensing. Oh, wait a second ...
