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Xbox One gamepad goes into low power sleep mode during movies, when you step away
The Xbox One controller isn't full of new bells and whistles, but it does have a few new tricks up its sleeves. The new gamepad can apparently go into a low power sleep mode, "if you're watching a movie or need to step away from the TV," according to a feature at Microsoft's official Xbox site. The controller will then re-awaken "the moment" it's picked up, the piece claims, and won't require resynchronization. Aside from this new feature, the controller will apparently feature a the micro USB we've seen on prototypes in its finished form, so that it can be plugged in and used without batteries should the need arise (though with only one USB plug anywhere near the front of the console, it's not the most reliable solution for multiple people). This is in addition to the revamped thumbsticks and so-called "impulse triggers," as well as the more depressed battery compartment. For the full run down, check out our intro piece right here, and head through the source link below for more from Microsoft directly.
Nintendo releasing larger capacity Wii U GamePad battery in Japan
Nintendo is boosting the Wii U GamePad with an enhanced battery, announced for Japan today. The replacement battery stuffs in 2,500mAh, compared to the original 1,500mAh. That equates to 5 to 8 hours of charge, a good deal up on the 3 to 5 currently offered. The battery, which needs to be manually installed, is priced at ¥3,150 (around $31), and dated for July 25 in Japan. When approached, a Nintendo spokesperson told us today's reveal is specifically a "Japanese announcement," and that "all other territories will make announcements if relevant." So we'll have to wait and see if the battery's coming west. Also getting a power-up is the Wiimote, via a new fast-charging pack. Nintendo promises the pack, which includes a new battery, backplate, and charging stand, both charges the peripheral quicker and for longer. Wii and Wii U owners in Japan can buy the upgraded battery alone for ¥2,625 ($26), or get the whole pack for ¥4,200 ($41).
Official 2,550mAh Wii U GamePad battery announced in Japan, promises up to 8 hours of gameplay
Bummed out about the Wii U GamePad's middling battery life? Nintendo finally has an answer: install a bigger battery. Taking to Twitter these evening, Nintendo revealed has that a new larger capacity GamePad battery will be available in Japan soon, promising between 5-8 hours of battery life. The 2,550mAh battery will cost ¥3,000 yen (about $39) when it launches this July, and will need to be installed manually by the user. There's no word yet on international availability, but it's a welcome band-aid for problem that nagged early adopters. Hungry for all of the (machine translated) details? Check out the official announcement at the attached source link.
Hands-on with Xbox One's new gamepad, 'impulse triggers' included
You've already read our hands-on with Xbox One's new Kinect and wireless gamepad, but perhaps you noticed our inability to test the gamepad's new "impulse triggers?" Well, we're glad to tell you we've just mended that exception. First things first, though -- we got hands-on with the new gamepad in a more finished state (which is to say "with the impulse triggers and the new Start / Back buttons). The most noticeable difference is one that most gamers will likely overlook initially: the new texture on the edge of the analog sticks. Head below with us for more!%Gallery-189016%
A new gamepad for a new game console: Microsoft's Xbox One wireless controller revealed
Despite the few protestations gamers have with the Xbox 360 wireless controller, Microsoft is apparently updating its much-loved input device for the next-generation, Xbox One. At first glance, the controller looks rather similar to its successor, though there are definitely some design tweaks in tow. For starters, the renowned "Xbox button" has been moved up a bit, making room for a couple of buttons in the central place where it used to be located. What's more, and in what's perhaps the biggest change, the triggers now have a built-in rumble system, which Microsoft's calling "Impulse Triggers." There's now also a redesigned d-pad that takes on a more traditional "cross" look, while the thumbsticks are slightly shorter and have a textured design around the edge, which, presumably, should help keep your thumbs gripped with more ease. The battery compartment, meanwhile, is much smaller than the previous version. We're likely to hear more about the One's gamepad soon, so we'll be sure to keep you in the loop as more info comes in. Ben Gilbert contributed to this report. %Gallery-188986%
Wii U Famicom skin dresses your WiiPad in red and gold
Datel Japan will start selling the aluminum WiiPad Famicom faceplate pictured above at the end of July for ¥1,980, roughly $20. If you're looking to play some old NES games while your WiiPad looks the part, Nintendo officially launched the Virtual Console on Wii U at the end of April. The initial launch list is pretty slim, but Ape Inc. and HAL Laboratory's beloved SNES RPG, Earthbound, is on the way.
Final Fantasy XIV shifts into second closed beta phase
Check out that fine-tuned Mog machine coming around the track! Why, it's Final Fantasy XIV, which has just shifted into its second closed beta phase and is sprinting toward the release of A Realm Reborn! Square-Enix is running beta tests over weekends in April. The focus of phase 2 is on the city-state of Gridania, Gamepad support for the PC, Chocobo mounts, and full active time events. It's not too late to sign up for the beta, either. When Final Fantasy XIV hits closed beta phase 3, the team will add in the PlayStation 3 version and a "huge amount" of additional content. Specific details and timing of phase 3 have yet to be announced. [Source: Square-Enix press release]
GAME UK expands tablet sales to include iPads, more entry-level Android tablets
UK retailer GAME has been hunting for ways to stay relevant during a shift to downloadable games -- and now, that includes cribbing some style (just a little!) from Americans. Much like GameStop across the pond, GAME will soon sell a full range of tablets at 150 of its stores. The existing Nexus 7 offering will be joined by the seemingly obligatory 16GB iPad and iPad mini, although the rest of the lineup will be decidedly more frugal: options like the £100 Acer Iconia B1-A71 and £130 Archos GamePad will be bracketed by a raft of mostly DGM-built slates that dip as low as £60. It's difficult to know how the expanded sales will help GAME's bottom line, although the Nexus 7 reportedly fared well enough that it's likely tablets are here to stay.
Archos GamePad arrives in the States for $179
Tired of waiting for the WikiPad? Needing some immediate gratification for your thumbs? Willing to consider Archos to fill that void? If your answer to all three was a mighty, "Aye!" then you'll be glad to know that the Archos GamePad is now for sale in the US at various online retailers. The portable gaming system combines Android 4.1, a 7-inch 1,024 x 600 screen and honest-to-goodness physical buttons, all within a 0.3-inch thick enclosure that's priced between $179 and $189. The GamePad sports a 1.6GHz dual-core CPU and a Mali-400 MP GPU, and while it may lack the cachet of the WikiPad, it has the distinct advantage of being available now. And you know what? Sometimes, that's all that matters. [Thanks, Duncan]
Samsung Galaxy S 4 Game Pad supports 6.3-inch devices, raises eyebrows
We noticed that Samsung's planned Game Pad accessory has an expanding clamp designed to accommodate screen sizes larger than the 5-inch Galaxy S 4 being used as its showcase, but it wasn't clear just how far it would go. Now that there's an official accessory page on the GS4's microsite, Samsung is unusually specific about the limit: 6.3 inches. That's an odd choice of display dimension, as it's bigger than the 5.5-inch Galaxy Note II and smaller than the 7-inch Galaxy Tab line. Samsung could just be hedging its bets, so we wouldn't make too many presumptions. It's often wise to give yourself a little headroom. However, a 6.3-inch screen would dovetail with unconfirmed Korea Times rumors that the next-generation Galaxy Note phone would use a similar size and give the 6.1-inch Ascend Mate a run for its money. We won't be convinced until we can see such a device for ourselves -- for all we know, it could be an extra-tiny version of a future Galaxy Tab.
PS4's final look is unknown even to a Sony exec, but it won't support the DualShock 3
There's been some debate over the state of the PlayStation 4's hardware when Sony declined to display the console itself at its PlayStation Meeting. As we're quickly learning, the company had good reason to keep the box under wraps: it's not quite done yet. Sony Computer Entertainment Japan President Hiroshi Kawano has revealed to 4Gamer that even he hasn't seen the finished system, and he only saw the DualShock 4 the day before it went on stage. We wouldn't worry about the design's progress just yet, but the news hints that Sony's timing on pulling it all together is much tighter than it was for the PS3 -- although that's not necessarily a bad thing. Whatever the PS4 looks like in the end, we know it won't support the DualShock 3. Perpetual font of wisdom (and Worldwide Studios President) Shuhei Yoshida has warned that the PlayStation Move is the only controller making the leap to the next generation. That's not entirely surprising given the changes in button layout and the addition of some Move technology -- Sony likely wants to set some expectations, and our existing game library won't play on the PS4 as-is. The cutoff may still be disappointing for anyone who invested in a full set of gamepads for LittleBigPlanet sessions and has to once more start from scratch.
Report: Resident Evil: Revelations features off-TV play on Wii U
The Wii U version of Resident Evil: Revelations will make use of the platform's unique hardware, allowing the full game to be played on the GamePad. The latest issue of the Official Nintendo Magazine reveals this tidbit, according to Nintendo Insider. The issue is due on UK newsstands in two days.The port also features Wii U Pro Controller support, and GamePad touchscreen-based inventory management. In ONM's interview, producer Tsukasa Takenaka says "There's a joke going around in Japan at the moment about using Off TV Play to play your Wii U games on the Bullet Train, as long as you get on of the seats with a power outlet, so we wanted to make sure Bullet Train play was possible with Revelations."Revelations is also coming out on PS3, Xbox, and PC; those won't have off-TV play for obvious reasons. It was originally released on 3DS, where it only had off-TV play.
Local web server trick allows Wii U Gamepad to moonlight as a PC controller
It may not be as easy to crack as the Bluetooth powered Wiimote, but the Wii U Gamepad is finally getting a little hacker's limelight -- one clever modder has figured out how to use it as a PC controller. By pointing the Wii U web browser at a local web server running a custom script, Chris Manning is able to read the Gamepad's input and map it to keyboard functions -- giving gamers with time and patience a complicated way to use the Wii U tablet as a simple PC gamepad. Manning told Kotaku that a future update will include touch-screen input, and he's also trying to crack Gamepad streaming, for PC gamers who can't quite wait for NVIDIA's Project Shield. The Wii U is still a long way from being properly hacked, of course, but we certainly won't shake a Wiimote at clever workarounds like this. If it works, it works. Skip on past the break to see the trick in action, or read Manning's video description at the source link to grab the necessary files.
Splashtop's Configurable Shortcuts & Gamepad feature lets tablet users create virtual controls and more
Whether it be its iOS, Android or Windows 8 users, Splashtop does a pretty good job at keeping them happy by introducing new things here and there, and the very latest may be no exception to that -- well, at least to some. Dubbed Configurable Shortcuts & Gamepad, the feature will allow Splashtop 2 subscribers -- that are using an iPad or Android slate -- to easily create anything from a virtual gamepad, mouse controls and even keyboard shortcuts on a tablet's screen, which, according to the company, should make for a "faster and more seamless remote access with their Macs and PCs" while gaming or, you know, actually being productive. What's more, similar to what it did when other new services were brought to the mix, Splashtop's set to charge current subs a little extra in order to use the Configurable Shortcuts & Gamepad, with the add-on being priced at about $1 per month (on top of the Splashtop 2 monthly fee, of course). The feature's available now for anyone looking to try it out -- and if you'd like to see it in action before you make that in-app purchase, a video demo can be found just past the break.
Nintendo introduces a fountain pen for your Wii U GamePad, as well as a screen jacket
Nintendo's worried about your Wii U GamePad. So much so, in fact, that the company's releasing a full on "Accessory Set" aimed specifically at bolstering your screen's HP (sorry, we couldn't help it) -- not only do you get a screen protector, but also a cleaning cloth for keeping it in tip top shape. And you'll need all that protection with the increased scribbling the GamePad will assuredly see when employing your new fountain pen-esque stylus, also included in the set. The whole thing runs $12.99 when it arrives at retailers on February 4th (at least in the US and Canada).
Official Wii U GamePad Accessory Set coming Feb. 4
Nintendo will release a Wii U GamePad Accessory Set on February 4, the company announced today. The $12.99 package includes a screen protector, a large DSI XL-style stylus, and a cleaning cloth.Screen protectors are important – if not for the actual prevention of scratches, then for the prevention of constant worrying about scratches.
Nikkei: Nintendo to launch unified console and handheld division by February 16th (update: confirmed)
Nintendo plans to merge its handheld and console gaming units into one division to create next generation hardware "that will turn heads," according to Nikkei. It's reporting that the gaming outfit is feeling the heat from tablet and smartphone gaming (and likely upstart outfits like Ouya, too) so is looking to speed up the development cycle and increase product interoperability. That's why it's allegedly bringing the brain power from all its divisions together to inaugurate the unified division by February 16th of this year -- transferring in 130 console and 150 handheld engineers, to start. Nikkei said it'll house the new team in a $340 million facility next to its Kyoto HQ that'll be completed by the end of the year, seeing it as "a hotbed of new ideas." All this comes on the heels of tepid launches of the Wii U console and Nintendo 3DS gamepad -- making a shakeup none too shocking, if true. Update: We contacted Nintendo, who confirmed by email that the report is, indeed, accurate.
Razer releases $130 Orbweaver for single-pawed, mechanical PC gaming (video)
Belkin made gamer's hearts flutter with the original N52te speedpad, which Razer took over a couple of years ago and developed into the Nostromo. Now, that peripheral-maker has taken the concept to a new level (and price) with the $130 gadget-tastic Orbweaver gaming keypad. Each of the 20 mechanical keys is programmable with unlimited-length macros, and produces a tactile click when actuated with 2mm travel / 50g of force -- all in the service of max speed to give gamers the drop on foes, according to Razer. Also provided is an eight-way directional thumbpad along with adjustable hand, thumb and palm-rest modules, plus Razer Synapse 2.0 software for re-binding buttons and assigning macros. It's available now for Windows or OS X, so if you're looking for a way to get that tricky drop, roll and fire combo into a single, satisfying click, check the source. [Thanks, Arjun]
FlipSide case for iPhone packs stealthy game controls, plays on solar power (video)
The perpetual challenge of developing an iPhone-friendly gamepad (or any phone-oriented gamepad) is the bulk, either for a gargantuan case or else a separate controller. If Justice Frangipane's team and iDevices have their way, that clunkiness will be a distant memory. Their proposed FlipSide case for iPhones (we see a prototype here) centers on Bluetooth 4.0 gamepad controls that stay clipped to the back when just checking email, but attach to the front for playtime. They'll save us from hunting down a wall outlet, too; the combination of a sensitive solar cell and a thin film battery from Infinite Power Solutions should keep the case powered up through even indoor lighting. The only real challenge is getting the case produced, as Frangipane is looking for crowdfunding to make the FlipSide a reality. Provided his group makes its donation target, though, there's the prospect of an Android version -- so those who don't play the iOS way could still reap the rewards if they chip in at the source link.
The Cave on Wii U uses GamePad for camera and character switching
The Cave will be Double Fine's first foray on a Nintendo system, believe it or not. At a demo event last week, I spoke with Double Fine's Chris Remo and got our first glimpse at The Cave on Wii U.Above, you can see how the WiiPad plays into the game. It's essentially a glorified character selector and camera controller – by tapping on a character, you'll jump to them; by tapping on a character twice, you can switch the camera focus to them. In The Cave, characters cannot move independently off-screen."So other than that, it pretty much plays like all the other versions," Double Fine's Remo told me. "We did work really hard to ensure that visually everything you're seeing is identical to the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions, so there's no downscaling, there's nothing going on that is not up to par with the other next-gen systems. There's nothing super wacky going on, but it's a completely full-featured version of the game."The Cave launches on Wii U next year.
