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PlayStation Remote Play now supports PS5 DualSense controllers on Android 12
More DualShock 4 features work on the latest version, including the touchpad.
Sony finally reveals which PS4 games won't work on PS5
Only 10 games, including 'Hitman Go: Definitive Edition,' won't make the cut.
Sony's DualShock 4 attachment adds customizable buttons around back
Sony is getting into the controller customization game late into the PS4's lifespan. The company has unveiled a DualShock 4 Back Button Attachment that, as the name implies, lets you map two of the gamepad's buttons to easier-to-reach locations on the back. If you'd rather not lift your fingers to reload or perform a special attack, you don't have to. You can specify up to three different profiles, and an OLED screen on the back illustrates your current button setup.
Sony patent may show a familiar-looking controller for the PS5
While Sony is still about a year away from releasing its next-generation console, we may have just gotten an early look at the device's new controller. Newly published images by Japan's patent office that were first spotted by VGC may provide some clues as to what to expect from the peripheral.
Wirecutter's best deals: Sony's DualShock 4 controller drops to $35
This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read Wirecutter's continuously updated list of deals here.
The PS4 is finally getting a rose gold DualShock 4 controller
Sony is expanding the PlayStation 4's DualShock 4 collection to include four new colors: "Electric Purple," "Red Camouflage," "Titanium Blue" and "Rose Gold." And while all four of the new color variants look striking, we here at Engadget are particularly partial to the rose gold controller. Not only is the color itself beautiful, the two-tone finish, with metallic top layer and pastel underside, helps make it the most visually interesting one of the bunch. For the same reason, we also like the titanium blue model.
Apple TV will support PlayStation and Xbox controllers
Apple has been gradually improving its tvOS over the past couple of years, thanks to features such as zero sign-on for cable-powered apps and added support for Dolby Atmos audio. Most recently, the company also launched an overhauled version of the TV app, which is designed to be a one-stop-shop for all the entertainment needs of Apple TV owners. And today, at WWDC 2019, Apple has revealed tvOS 13, featuring support for Xbox One and PlayStation DualShock 4 controllers. This announcement is meant to complement Apple's upcoming game subscription service, Apple Arcade, which is expected to arrive this fall.
All of the Lights: Many curious uses for the PS4 light bar
Sony is no stranger to idiosyncratic hardware design. Nintendo and Sega put analog sticks on their controllers in the '90s? Sony adds on an extra stick and redefines console controllers. Touch screens are de rigueur? Sony slaps a touch surface on the front and back of PS Vita. The PlayStation 4 is a sleek piece of modern consumer tech design, but even it's got its quirks. Case in point: the Dualshock 4 light bar. Every PS4 controller looks like KITT from Knight Rider, with a giant oblate spheroid of light pulsing on the front. Not just good for running down the battery, the light bar actually performs some unusual functions in a variety of games. Below the break is a taster's choice selection of memorable light bar uses from the PlayStation 4's first year of games. After browsing that, take our poll and discuss the light bar's career in the comments. What do you think of the Dualshock 4 light bar? [Images: Sony]
Joystiq Weekly: Bleszinski returns, Escape Dead Island, WildStar impressions and more
Welcome to Joystiq Weekly, a "too long; didn't read" of each week's biggest stories, reviews and original content. Each category's top story is introduced with a reactionary gif, because moving pictures aren't just for The Daily Prophet. Well, we did it. We used a ton of gun powder to make pretty shapes and colors in the sky, and we gorged on grilled food as it happened. Our self-appointed roles as Master Pyrotechnicians (read: the person hogging the lighter near a mound of fireworks) also left us without burns, so we're not sure the holiday could have possibly gone better. Just because the United States and Canada celebrated birthdays this week doesn't mean that everyone took time off though – heck, Cliff Bleszinski is about to end his extended vacation from the gaming industry! We've got details on his return, your last-minute hope to get in on the Evolve alpha, impressions from WildStar, a glimpse at Escape Dead Island and more, all waiting for you after the break!
PS4's DualShock 4 now works wirelessly with PS3
Sony's latest PS3 firmware update quietly introduces DualShock 4 wireless support for the system, as we get the growing impression the poor old DualShock 3 is being quietly shoved off a cliff. Previously you had to plug in the PS4 controller to use it on PS3, but now you can sync it up via Bluetooth and go new-gen on the last gen wirelessly. We've tested it out and it's easy to set up. First, head to Settings on the PS3 media bar, then Accessory Settings and Manage Bluetooth Devices and finally Register New Device. After that the PS3 will scan for Bluetooth controllers, so to make your DualShock 4 show up hold the PS and Share button at the same time. After a few seconds the controller's light bar will start blinking, and then it'll show up on the PS3 screen ready to be connected. A few words of warning: This will de-sync your DualShock 4 with your PS4, but re-syncing it is simply a matter of connecting the gamepad to the PS4, turning the system on and then pressing the PS button. Also, our pal Engadget reports compatibility with various games is "somewhat spotty," so don't be pushing your DualShock 3 off a cliff just yet. [Image: Sony]
'Wave Blue' DualShock 4 rides into North America this fall
The 'Wave Blue' DualShock 4 looks set to lead a line of new-colored controllers for the PlayStation 4 in North America. The blue gamepad was previously available in Europe and Japan, and it's now officially due to arrive stateside this fall. However, blue isn't the only new hue in town. The Destiny-bundling Glacier White PS4 launches on September 9 with a matching controller, and according to Amazon we can expect the Wave Blue DualShock on September 30 as well as an Urban Camouflage variant. At E3, Sony revealed Glacier White and Urban Camouflage pads would be available for $60. If Amazon's listings are accurate, the only color missing from the North American palette party is Magma Red. Maybe it's just bubbling beneath the surface. [Image: Sony]
PS4 sharing expands with YouTube uploads this year
Sony will add YouTube to its list of broadcast options via the DualShock 4's Share button on PS4, SCEA President Shawn Layden announced during the company's E3 2014 press conference today. Not only will players be able to upload clips directly to YouTube, but they will have the option to both live-stream gameplay and chat to the platform. Additionally, Sony will update the PS4's broadcasting options to allow spectators to further interact with streamers to a fairly strong extent: "You can help them, you can hurt them," Layden said of future griefing PS4 audiences.
Amazon Fire TV games work with other Bluetooth controllers
Amazon just revealed its $99 Fire TV game and video streaming device today, and unveiled a $40 Bluetooth game pad to go along with it. As it turns out, developers appear to have the option to make their Amazon Fire TV games compatible with other controllers. "I don't have the full data set, if any is the right term. Generally speaking, it's a Bluetooth controller," Mike Frazzini, VP of Amazon Games told Engadget today when asked about the Fire TV's controller support. "And the same thing vice-versa. Third-party controllers can work on Fire TV as well." According to a mandatory configuration file for all Amazon Fire TV game developers listed on Amazon's site, developers must note if the app "supports a game controller, either the Amazon Fire game controller or a Bluetooth game controller from another manufacturer." While Amazon doesn't confirm official Fire TV support with the game pads, other Bluetooth controllers like Nintendo's Wii Remote and Sony's DualShock 4 could feasibly work with some games if developers so choose. Likewise, while the Amazon Fire TV supports up to seven Bluetooth game controllers simultaneously, software development kit documentation notes that "only four of those controllers are assigned to player numbers." This seemingly caps local multiplayer gaming on Amazon Fire TV at four players at a given moment, which may not be an issue since gaming is more or less a "bonus" for the streaming device.
Best of the Rest: Mike's picks of 2013
Team Joystiq is barging into 2014 with a celebration of last year's best games. Keep reading throughout the week to see our assembly of ingenious indies and triple-A triumphs. FIFA 14 Regardless of any indicator that 2013 was a "tune-up" year for EA Canada's ongoing soccer sim series, FIFA 14 arguably remains the best sports gaming has to offer for another year. Retaining the elements of unpredictability with the game's ball physic, introduced in FIFA 13, the developer improved teammate AI and slowed the game's pace to force more deliberate, tactical on-field play. The result couldn't be any clearer in the PS4 and Xbox One versions of the game, which saw significant improvements graphically, particularly in the crowd's character models. While it may not be a top-ten game of the year, FIFA 14 was easily one of the most enjoyable.
PS4's share button clicked 10.9 million times [Update]
The Cher share button on players' DualShock 4 controllers has been pressed 10.9 million times according to Sony, which revealed some impressive numbers behind its PS4 livestreaming services today. For starters, Twitch and Ustream have hosted nearly 800,000 gameplay streams and over 7.1 million spectator sessions on the home console since its launch. Sony says that ten percent of all Twitch-broadcasted content has come from PS4 systems since its US launch on November 15, based on the average number of minutes broadcast. That adds up to 20 million minutes of live broadcasting from the console, the length of 21,808.66 consecutive spins of Cher's entire discography. Additionally, PS4 Ustream broadcasts average 31 minutes in length, enough time to listen to "Heart of Stone" 7.35 times. Though let's be honest, we could croon "wish your heart was a heart of stone" much longer than that, but we really don't think we're strong enough. The livestreaming figures follow last week's announcement that over 2.1 million PS4 systems have been sold globally. Once new PS4 owners start to unwrap their new consoles over the holidays, this gameplay broadcasting beat will only go on. Update: Additionally, Twitch told Joystiq that the number of broadcasters using its services increased over 100,000 in the month of November since the launch of the PS4, up from around 600,000 in October.
Evil Controllers now offering custom PS4, Xbox One peripherals
Third-party peripheral manufacturer Evil Controllers is now offering customized PS4 and Xbox One controllers through its online store. The store currently holds 18 PS4 controllers, ranging in price from $84.99 to $109.99. Evil Controllers also has seven Xbox One game pads, priced from $89.99 to $109.99. The peripherals are official Xbox One and DualShock 4 controllers, so the buttons, analog sticks and other components won't differ from the game pads Microsoft and Sony pack in with their consoles. There are a few versions of Evil Controllers' modified peripherals that include the custom controller brand's trademark bullet-style buttons, though.
PS4 dev diaries tour Vita features, DualShock 4 and launch games
The PS4 launches in 10 days and, as we near the eye of the PS4 hypicane, Sony has decided to craft some overview videos highlighting different aspects of the system - from the new DualShock 4 controller to the launch games right down to how the PS Vita and PS4 will play nice with each other.
PS4 controllers apparently compatible with OS X
Like the DualShock 3, the next iteration of the PlayStation controller design works surprisingly well on an Apple-branded computer. Product developer Chris Gallizzi demonstrates the functionality in a Vine clip below, but offers no explanation on how he was able to convince the Sony controller to play nice with Apple's hardware. If the DualShock 4 functions similarly to its predecessor in this capacity, it should offer simple Bluetooth connectivity under OS X. Simply fire up your Mac, turn on the controller, follow a few simple instructions, and you're done. Creating the link takes less than five minutes, and requires no more skill than changing your desktop's wallpaper.
DualShock 4 drops analog buttons, citing lack of interest
For the first time since 1997, Sony is stepping away from releasing controllers with pressure sensitive, analog buttons, thanks to a lack of developer support for the feature. Unlike prior controller models, the DualShock 4 features digital buttons. These buttons are only capable of registering two states: on and off. Analog controllers, on the other hand, offer sensitivity for how hard and how quickly a button is depressed. A good example of this functionality can be found in Gran Turismo 5, a racing game that allows players to gradually accelerate by slowly pressing the shoulder buttons of the DualShock 3 controller. Unfortunately for analog fans, Gran Turismo 5 is one of the very few examples of analog functionality in action on the PlayStation 3. This is why the feature has been stripped from the DualShock 4. "With the DualShock 3, we were able to get analog data, which games didn't really use," said Toshimasa Aoki, manager of Sony's product planning division, in a VentureBeat interview. "For DualShock 4, we deleted that, and now it's all digital. The mechanism inside is a little different, and the data that games get is different."
Weekend deals choose Bioshock, XCOM: Declassified and more [Update]
If you've somehow avoided accumulating a backlog over the year or just enjoy the act of spending money, Steam and Amazon have some weekend gaming deals to help you burn cash. Steam enthusiasts can splurge on the service's 2K Games Weekend, which includes Bioshock Infinite for $13.59 $26.79 and Civilization 5, Spec Ops: The Line and Borderlands 2 for $14.99 apiece. PixelJunk Monsters Ultimate is $9.99, or if you say to hell with the past decade, 1998's Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition is an even $5. Amazon has blacked out $30 from The Bureau: XCOM Declassified's price on Xbox 360 and PS3 while knocking the PC version down to $19.99. Splinter Cell: Blacklist has crept its way to $39.99 for the Xbox 360, PS3, PC and Wii U, but you can gear up for a special mission with its Aircraft Edition for $99.99 on the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC. If you'd rather get ready for the PlayStation 4, Amazon is also offering $30 of bonus credit towards a DualShock 4 if you trade in $30 worth of qualifying video games. You can check to see if anything you're willing to part with is eligible through the search function on the promotion's page. Update: The 66 percent off deal for Bioshock Infinite has passed. The game is now available for $26.79, 33 percent off of the initial price.
