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Sony patent hints at a touch-enabled PlayStation Move controller
Sony's PlayStation Move controller has helped bring motion-enabled gaming to PlayStation consoles for over three years, but hasn't exactly set the world alight. To better compete with Microsoft's controller-less Kinect and Nintendo's Wii motion accessories, the company has been looking to extract more functionality from its wireless joystick, as evidenced in a recent filing with the US Patent Office. The patent, entitled "Flat Joystick Controller," describes a controller not dissimilar to the PlayStation Move handheld we've come to know and kinda love, but Sony hints that an upgrade could come in the form of a touch-sensitive surface on the front of the handle. The company says the new controller "enables control for a variety of applications and simulations while providing an intuitive interface," allowing gamers to better control in-game characters and select elements without having to alter their grip. While the patent suggests Sony is only experimenting with the feature, similar to the hybrid DualShock/PlayStation Move controller patent it filed last year, we know that the company mulled an all-touch PS4 controller before settling on the DualShock 4, indicating that touch still has a big part to play in PlayStation's future.
Daily Roundup: LG G Flex review, Lightstrap iPhone case hands-on, Verizon LTE expansion and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Razer may be making its first iPhone gamepad
If an image from prolific bean-spiller @evleaks pans out, it looks like Razer is set to join the iPhone gamepad brigade with the Kazuyo. We've already seen the Moga Ace Power and Logitech's Powershell for the iPhone 5 or 5s so far, thanks to Apple's inclusion of a controller API for iOS 7. Razer's offering appears to have a similar case and button layout as the latter model, but also brings a unique tilting ability, judging by the image above. There's no other details, of course, because it's still just a leak -- so keep the salt handy until you see a real product.
A better, yet more cumbersome iOS 7 gamepad: hands-on with the MOGA Ace Power
Two sticks, four face buttons, a pair of shoulder paddles and a d-pad: the formula for a modern gamepad and the layout of MOGA's Ace Power controller. It's a pretty standard assortment of inputs, but this controller happens to be the first fully featured peripheral to support Apple's new iOS 7 gamepad protocols. Naturally, we couldn't wait to put the pad through its paces. The MOGA Ace may have the normal assortment of buttons and triggers, but it has one trick most gamepads can't emulate: it telescopes. Taken out of the box, the Ace is hardly longer than an iPhone 5s, but pulling on either end stretches the peripheral to fit your iDevice. The Gamepad's left side retains enough tension to hold a device in place on its own, but our iPod had trouble identifying the controller unless we made a point of pushing the controller's edges inward to secure the connection. Once we had a compatible iOS 7 device locked in place, however, the Ace worked like a dream.
Hands-on with Logitech's PowerShell Controller, an iOS 7 gamepad that charges your phone
Remember that fuzzy-looking iOS 7 gamepad that leaked back in June? Turns out it's called the Logitech PowerShell Controller + Battery (a mouthful, right?), and it's one of the first iOS 7 certified gamepads on the market. Compatible with Lightning-equipped iPhones and iPods, the controller juts off of your device's top and bottom edges, adding four face buttons, a d-pad, two shoulder buttons and a 1,500 mAh battery that charges your phone while you game. It's also one of the least obstructive gamepad accessories we've ever used.
MOGA Ace Power gamepad for the iPhone is the first with full iOS 7 support
Gaming controllers for iPhones are nothing new, but MOGA claims it's just launched the first to work with iOS 7 and its native gamepad support -- as we saw with the as-yet unreleased GameCase. The Ace Power works with the Apple's latest handsets, including the iPhone 5, 5c, 5s and fifth-gen iPod, connecting via the lightening port and locking it in place with something Moga calls "S.M.R.T. Lock technology." Like the Android model, you can charge your device while playing thanks to an 1,800mAh battery and the whole thing can be collapsed for easy toting when you're done. As for controls, you'll get dual analog sticks, L1/R1 and L2/R2 buttons, a D-pad, and four action buttons. Moga hasn't said which games will support it yet, though it believes that a "flood" of game developers will take advantage of the iOS7's new native gamepad controls soon. We're looking forward to getting our own mitts on it, but if you're willing to jump in now, you can pre-order it soon for $100 at Apple's online and retail stores, or via Moga, at the source.
Sony mulled an all-touch PS4 controller before settling on the DualShock 4
The PlayStation 4's DualShock 4 controller may seem like the logical evolution of Sony's gamepad design, but we now know that it wasn't always destined to be that way. Product manager Toshimasa Aoki tells VentureBeat that the company threw out all the rules during the early design phase, and had tested both all-touchscreen gamepads as well as one where a touchpad could move to different locations. The PlayStation team had also considered abandoning its signature bottom-mounted analog sticks in favor of moving them up top, much like Nintendo's Wii U Pro Controller. However, feedback pushed Sony to a more conservative layout -- many early PS4 game developers were worried that a new control scheme would break their software design. While it's unfortunate that Sony had to restrain its creative impulses, we suspect that many gamers are happy with the end result.
PS4 controller escapes into the Canadian wilderness, partly supports the PS3 (video)
The PlayStation 4 may not reach stores until November 15th, but that hasn't prevented the DualShock 4 from showing up early -- some Canadian Twitter users have spotted the controller at retail stores. While it's not clear that stores are allowed to sell the new DualShock, TheRugbyGodGamer claims that GameStop Canada is letting pre-order customers pick up their purchases. Those lucky few who score gamepads can use their prizes right away, at least. YouTube member Udetto has posted a video (after the break) that shows the DualShock 4 handling PS3 games that support USB input; it's only titles that insist on Bluetooth which aren't compatible. The experience won't compare to that of using the PS4 itself, but it may tide over gamers who can't stand waiting for the Sony console.
See the Steam Controller in action right here (video)
You've already seen the prototype Steam Controller in stills, but today we've got a video of Valve's new Steam Controller gamepad in action. The Valve employee in the video, ex-Sixense engineer and current Valve hardware engineer Jeff Bellinghausen, takes viewers on a tour through the studio's own Portal 2 first. He employs the dual touchpads as thumbsticks, which seems a bit cumbersome in this instance: his right thumb can be seen repeatedly scrolling as it runs out of touchpad space. Not exactly an issue in something like Portal 2, but certainly an issue in a more twitch-based game. The second game shown is the normally mouse-and-keyboard-dependent Civilization 5 -- again, workable in this instance as Civ doesn't require twitch-based response. The facsimile of mouse control on the touchpad is clearly workable, though it looks like it'll require some getting used to (just like the devs who used it told us). Up next, Bellinghausen tries out Counter-Strike: Global Offensive's training map in an effort to demonstrate precision with the touchpads. Though it certainly works, we'd like to get a better idea of using the controller in a more rigorous match -- few multiplayer first-person shooters allow time for extra mouse movement. The final game shown is indie darling Papers, Please, yet another mouse-driven game that seemingly works well with Valve's controller. The first prototypes for the Steam Controller arrive in 300 lucky households later this year. Head below the break to take a look at what they'll be getting!
Nintendo's high-capacity Wii U GamePad battery lands in the UK and Germany
If you spend your days tutting at the Wii U GamePad's underwhelming battery life, then you were probably annoyed to see Nintendo launch a 2,550mAh power pack in Japan. Thankfully, however, that same spare part has now made its way over to Europe, where both UK and German gamers (let's call 'em WiiUsers) can now snag the unit. It'll set you back £25 in Blighty and €37 over in Germany, and should let you play for between five-to-eight hours between charges. Happy gaming!
Wii U GamePad high-capacity battery lights up the UK, Germany
A high-capacity battery for Wii U GamePads is officially out in Europe, available via Amazon in the UK for £25 and in Germany for EUR 35. The longer-lasting battery was first announced for the Japanese market on May 30. The new battery packs in 2,500mAh for five to eight hours of playtime, compared with the original GamePad battery's 1,500mAh and three to five hours of untethered gaming. There are existing off-brand batteries that offer similarly super-charged GamePad life. There's no word on a North American launch of the official GamePad high-capacity battery.
Xi3's Piston controller being made by Scuf Gaming, looks awfully familiar
Xi3's Piston gaming PC / "console" won't arrive this November with a controller packed in, but the company is offering a separately sold gamepad that looks an awful lot like Microsoft's Xbox 360 equivalent. The origin of the Xi3's gamepad was unknown until this morning, when the company announced a partnership with Scuf Gaming to develop, "new designs and options for gaming controllers optimized for Xi3's PISTON Console." The controller we spotted last week (seen above) is the first of such "new designs and options" for control being offered on the Piston -- after all, what we saw looks an awful lot like Scuf Gaming's "Hybrid" controller. Xi3 tells Engadget what we saw last week was an "early working prototype" of the upcoming gamepad. Sadly, if Xi3's version is anything like the Hybrid, it'll cost a surprisingly large amount of money: just shy of $90. Xi3 isn't offering any specifics on the gamepad just yet, telling us, "final specs/capabilities, pricing and the ship date for a PISTON Console controller are not being released at this time."
Valve announces Steam Controller, a gamepad for its game console
Valve revealed Steam Controller today, a controller for its living room PC-based game console initiative. It's the third announcement this week from Valve, following reveals of SteamOS and Steam Machines on Monday and Wednesday (respectively). The controller is shaped like a standard game console controller, but in place of thumbsticks there are two clickable trackpads. Valve's saying that the dual trackpads provide resolution that "approaches that of a desktop mouse," making previously PC-only games playable on a couch. In the middle of the controller is a "high-resolution" touch screen (also clickable) that enables both control and navigation. "Players can swipe through pages of actions in games where that's appropriate. When programmed by game developers using our API, the touch screen can work as a scrolling menu, a radial dial, provide secondary info like a map or use other custom input modes we haven't thought of yet," the controller's announcement page says. There are also haptic sensors all over the controller, which offer "super-precise" haptic feedback to players -- they're in both trackpads on the front, as well as in the shoulder buttons and around the rear grips. Valve says that these sensors not only relay physical information to players, but also "play audio waveforms and function as speakers." Like any gamepad, the Steam Controller has a handful of buttons as well: 16 in total, according to Valve. Two are around back, while the majority are found out front -- one sits in each corner of the middle touchscreen, and three sit below that screen. Game devs should have no issue getting their games working with the controller, according to Valve, as the API will become available for free for devs at the same time that the Steam Machines beta goes live "later this year." Additionally, gamers interested in beta testing Valve's controller can sign up the same way you signed up for the console beta: a quest is now available in your Steam account.
Archos GamePad 2 outed with quad-core CPU, higher-res display
Even in the age of the NVIDIA Shield, dedicated Android gaming handsets are still a bit of a rarity, which is all more of a reason to take a gander at the leaked GamePad 2 from Archos. The device first reared its head at the FCC, and thanks to an online retailer -- which has since scrubbed all references to the product -- we're now treated to a press shot and a smattering of technical specs for the successor to the original GamePad. This time around, it's purported to sport a slightly more dense 1,280 x 800, 7-inch IPS display, along with a 1.6GHz quad-core CPU and 2GB of RAM. In addition to the previously available 8GB model, a new 16GB version is said to be in the works, and in both cases, the GamePad 2 will retain a microSD expansion slot. There's no word yet on pricing or availability, but you can bet that we'll hear more from Archos soon enough.
GameCase brings a full-size, natively supported gamepad to iOS 7 devices
Apple now offers native gamepad support in iOS 7, and ClamCase is making the most of that opportunity by unveiling the GameCase. The Bluetooth add-on will give iOS players a full-size, Xbox-like controller that should work in any title using the official gamepad API -- developers won't have to include proprietary code in their apps. ClamCase also promises ample play time through a built-in lithium-ion battery. The GameCase isn't expected to ship until late 2013 or early 2014, but there are plans to offer versions for all iPads and iPhones that run iOS 7. If you're interested, you can sign up for notifications from ClamCase at the source link.
Cross Plane puts a screen in a controller for PC, PS3, 360, Ouya
Advanced Gaming Innovations LLC began its Kickstarter campaign last week for the Cross Plane, a controller with a touch-less, seven-inch screen that functions as a main display for PC, 360, PS3 and Ouya users. The campaign is seeking $350,000 to begin production of the controllers, which backers can receive one of by contributing $350. The Cross Plane will use a wireless HDMI transmitter to send data to "control paks," which can be swapped out from the back of the Cross Plane to make the hardware compatible with different platforms. While the project's Kickstarter page notes that the 360 control pak will be a one-trick pony, the PS3 control pak will also work for the PC and Ouya due to "compatible Bluetooth connectivity technology." Support for the Xbox One and PS4 is also planned "should the project be successful." The Kickstarter page states that the prototype is capable of a 20 foot line-of-sight range, but Lead Designer Chris Downing clarified to Joystiq in an email that the range of the final product should be increased by rearranging internal hardware. "The remedy is simply a matter of relocating the receiver at which point I'm confident we'll be able to get back to the 60-plus foot range," Downing said.
Razer announces the $79 Tartarus, a more affordable gaming keypad
Most PC gamers are content to game on the standard QWERTY keyboard layout, but a select few prefer a special niche peripheral: the keypad. Razer's been building these single-hand keyboards since it helped Belkin create the n52te SpeedPad and it's still at it, today announcing the Razer Tartarus. Featuring 15 face keys and 25 programmable buttons (including an eight-way directional thumb pad), the Tartarus is billed as a successor to Razer's Nostromo -- although it actually has more in common with the $130 Orbweaver. Like the high-end keypad, the Tartarus has fully programmable keys with unlimited-length macro support, Razer Synapse 2.0 for profile syncing and key-binding and the company's modern design language, but it eschews the Orbweaver's articulating ergonomics and mechanical keys to hit a lower $79 price point. These efforts shaved 50 percent off of the product's sticker price, but also cost it an additional row of keys. We spent a few minutes with the device and were pleased at how well it worked right out of the box, handily emulating the standard WASD gaming setup it's built around. We did miss the Orbweaver's additional buttons, however, as the smaller keypad's three-row setup left us reaching for a row of numerical analogs that simply weren't there. It's not the game controller for everyone, but it's good to know that there are options for niche peripheral fans on a budget. Read on for the company's official press announcement.
Microsoft preps standalone gold Xbox 360 controller, brings new glitz to old consoles
Redesign notwithstanding, the Xbox 360 is clearly in its twilight years. Wouldn't it be nice to give the system a retirement gift? Microsoft thinks so, as it just unveiled a stand-alone gold version of its Chrome Series controller. The wireless gamepad shares the same transforming D-pad as past special editions, but ups the flashiness by a factor of ten -- and won't require that you buy a Star Wars-themed console at the same time. Microsoft ships the $55 gold controller worldwide this August, although it will only be available at a handful of stores, including GameStop and the Microsoft Store in the US.
iOS 7 gamepad leaked, features blurry Logitech G logo
Apple may consider the iPhone to be a gaming device, but even it's willing to admit that traditional gaming demands a proper gamepad. The folks at Logitech apparently agree, and seem to be preparing to release an iPhone 5-compatible device with its G-prefix branding. An image acquired by Kotaku shows a four-button Logitech gamepad built around an iPhone-shaped hole. There's a Lightning connector on the right side, indicating a hard-wired (or at least device-powered) peripheral. According to Kotaku, this will be just one of several third-party gamepads designed for iOS 7's Game Center overhaul. Of course, this blurry image should be regarded with a healthy dose of skepticism, but we certainly wouldn't scoff at an officially supported gamepad solution.
Hyperkin teases pixelated SNES-style USB / Bluetooth gamepads at E3 (hands-on)
Are the Super Nintendo gamepad's smoothly curved edges just too darn comfortable for your palms? You might want to check out Hyperkin's Pixel Art controller, an SNES-inspired USB controller rendered in the style of its time. Hyperkin quietly unveiled it on the E3 show floor, scattering boxed prototypes throughout its booth. Despite our jest, it's actually quite comfortable to hold and use, and feels very much like a brand new SNES pad. Unfortunately for retro gaming die-hards, this gamepad won't actually work on your classic game console -- the SNES compatible version of the product was nixed when the team decided to make it a Bluetooth gamepad instead. A bummer for some, but the design is still a hoot. Hyperkin didn't have a price for us, but the pixel-obsessed should be able to pick up the USB model of the gamepad (in eight colors!) later this summer, followed by a wireless version in the fall.
