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Mad Catz's new mice have mechanical switches with a 2ms response time
Mad Catz hopes that its new Dakota mechanical switches will entice you to think about gaming mice the same way you think about keyboards.
Which keyboards are worth buying?
When you consider how much time we spend in front of our computers, how we interact with them should be a key concern. That said, unless you're a gamer or programmer, you probably haven't done much shopping around. Last month, we took a look at some of the best gaming keyboards that have come out recently. Now, we turn our gaze to some newer models designed for uses other than playing your favorite PC games -- including ones for work, controlling your home theater and portable units you can carry around in your bag for typing on the go.
12 moments in the keyboard's history
At some point in the day, we all smash our fingers against some form of keyboard -- whether it's of the physical or virtual variety. In this week's Rewind, we take a look at how the keyboard's grown beyond its humble typewriter beginnings and taken on a life of its own.
Which gaming mice are worth buying?
The peripherals you play with can be just as important to your gaming success as actual skill. A suboptimal keyboard or sluggish mouse can open the door to defeat, which is why it's a good idea to pick up equipment specifically made for the job. But like a lot of specialized tools, gaming mice don't come cheap, and you wouldn't want to spend a pretty penny on one only to find it lacking in speed or features. We don't review mice very often here at Engadget, so we've consulted the opinions of trusted critics to find some recent options that can help pave a path to victory.
Mad Catz Ultra Street Fighter 4 stick to feature PS3/PS4 toggle
You'd expect an Ultra Street Fighter 4 arcade stick to support the PlayStation 3 - the game debuted there yesterday - yet Mad Catz's latest peripheral also features seemingly inexplicable support for the PlayStation 4. Once this news emerged, fans were quick to assume that this feature stands as a guarantee that Ultra Street Fighter 4 will soon appear on the PlayStation 4, though Mad Catz community manager Mark Julio was quick to crush those hopes. "Just because the stick is compatible with PS4 as well, does NOT mean there is PS4 USF4! We just implemented the feature as a benefit!" Julio tweeted. When asked why the similar Ultra Street Fighter 4 stick for the Xbox 360 does not also feature an Xbox One toggle, Julio's response was more succinct: "No USFIV on Xbox One!" Despite Julio's claims to the contrary, it seems unlikely that Ultra Street Fighter 4 will remain exclusive to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Capcom has a long history of issuing Street Fighter sequels to every platform under the sun, and the company needs to create a strong foothold on the new generation of consoles. For a growing segment of the gaming audience, there's no better way to do that than with a new, highly-anticipated Street Fighter entry. [Image: Mad Catz]
Ouya Everywhere starts with Mad Catz's MOJO microconsole in spring
Ouya Everywhere aims to put Ouya games on other company's consoles, and it's kicking off that process this spring on MOJO, the Android microconsole from Mad Catz. MOJO launched in December, and one of its highlights is the eventual ability to stream PC games. Along with the Ouya news, MOJO is getting a price drop, from $250 to $200 in the US. Ouya currently has 680 games and 33,000 developers on board, and all of that – plus any coming content – will hit MOJO in the spring. Ouya founder Julie Uhrman announced Ouya Everywhere this week, adding that the company is thinking about building a Steam-esque PC application as well. "Up until now, the game console experience has been locked inside a box," Uhrman says in today's press release. "Together with the hardware veterans at Mad Catz, we end that. Today's announcement signifies the inception of a truly open platform where independent developers can bring their creations to the platforms where gamers actually play: everywhere." Or, for now: on another Android microconsole. [Image: Mad Catz]
Mad Catz Android game console first to get OUYA content
When OUYA announced it was expanding its gaming platform beyond its own hardware, it also said it'd share its first deal with a hardware manufacturer within two weeks. Well, it turns out that we only had to wait a couple of days, after accessory maker Mad Catz confirmed it's signed a deal to bring OUYA's software to its M.O.J.O. Android game console. The company says it's already working to incorporate its new partner's content and expects to roll out an update "later this spring," giving die-hard Android gamers access to exclusive OUYA titles on top of regular Google Play and Amazon app store downloads. If this unexpected Android union leaves you pining for some dedicated console action, Mad Catz has slashed $50 off the price of the M.O.J.O. in the US, although the new $199.99 price tag is still pretty hard to swallow.
Mad Catz plots April release for C.T.R.L.i iOS7 gamepad
Gaming peripheral manufacturer Mad Catz plans to join the mobile gamepad market with the upcoming release of the C.T.R.L.i, a Bluetooth-enabled, dual-analog controller with native support for iOS7 devices. Keen eyes may observe that the C.T.R.L.i bears a striking resemblance to the controller bundled with the Mad Catz-branded MOJO microconsole released last year. The C.T.R.L.i uses the same basic shell as the MOJO's controller with an additional spring-loaded mount that supports current and future iOS devices. The C.T.R.L.i will be priced at $80 when it hits retail in April. [Image: Engadget]
Mad Catz C.T.R.L.i is an iOS 7 controller with Xbox heritage (hands-on)
Best known for its range of console and PC gaming accessories, Mad Catz has made huge strides over the past year to cater for mobile gamers. After it launched its M.O.J.O. Android gaming console in June, the peripheral maker has emerged at Mobile World Congress with C.T.R.L.i, its first controller to feature native support for iOS 7. While it's still in the prototype stage (so new, we're amongst the first to see it), the C.T.R.L.i was fully playable when we discussed specifics with Mad Catz's representative, allowing us to experience an almost final version of the gamepad before it launches publicly in April.
Mad Catz developing R.A.T. professional gaming mouse
Gaming accessory manufacturer Mad Catz has announced development of the R.A.T. Tournament Edition, a mouse designed for the eSports-minded player. The R.A.T. TE features tracking speeds up to 8200 DPI, decreased weight, dynamic surface detection, lift-off height calibration, programmable button mapping and is designed for Mac as well as PC. We stress that the R.A.T. TE is not to be confused with a tournament edition rat. Rats do not have configurable buttons. And if your rat does, please do not bring your cyborg rat to a gaming tournament. You may, however, bring your R.A.T. TE after it releases in early 2014.
Mad Catz's Tournament Edition Rat is lighter, faster and brighter
If you didn't have enough transforming mice in your cursor collection, Mad Catz has one more for you: the Rat TE (Tournament Edition). It's the latest in the company's line of formerly Cyborg-branded mousing products and is designed specifically, as the name implies, for professional and competitive gamers. That means it's lighter (to improve inertia, the company says), offers faster reaction times and has been outfitted with a new 8,200 DPI laser sensor. Mad Catz has also given the mouse the ability to adjust its lift-off height calibration, giving pro gamers one more aspect of play to fine-tune. That said, it's not exactly a dead-ringer for the original Rat -- the horizontal scroll wheel is missing and the ever-important sniper button is twice as large as the mouse's first design. Mad Catz hasn't announced the teal-accented mouse's price yet, but expect to see it ship in early 2014.
Mad Catz MOJO console now on sale for $250, baby
Xbox One and PlayStation 4 a bit too bulky for your gaming tastes? Need something a bit smaller? Maybe even micro sized? Good news for you, because Mad Catz's Android-powered MOJO microconsole is now available, which means you can finally say you got your mojo without being accused of hyperbole or referencing a Mike Myers film. Yeah, baby! The MOJO features an NVIDIA Tegra 4 T40S 1.8GHz Processor and 2GB RAM. We were also aware back in October that the device would be capable of streaming games from a PC, though we weren't given details as to how that would work. If you want to find out and steal some MOJO for yourself, all you need is a "time machine" and a fat Scotsman $250 and the ability to order a unit from one of Mad Catz's partners.
Mad Catz' STRIKE M gaming keyboard fits in your pocket, cramps your fingers
Diminutive Bluetooth keyboards? Yeah, we've seen those before, but we've never really been able to fault them for their size. These tiny peripherals are meant for light work at best, but the Mad Catz STRIKE M wears a facade that outpaces its utility. From its skewed angles, to its collection of quick keys, under its backlit keycaps and behind the highlighted WASD keys -- the STRIKE M wears the colors of a serious gaming keyboard. It isn't one. Excusing its appearance, the STRIKE M is actually a decent little HTPC keyboard. It has a suite of media keys, an embedded scrollwheel and even an thumb mousepad -- but the actual keyboard layout is just too small to match its design language. Laying hands on the keyboard's home row required us to mash our fingertips tightly together, offering a cramped, uncomfortable typing experience. These tiny keys leave no room for error, and require precision to a degree that makes the red-accented WASD seem ridiculous. Showing off the keyboard at Expand NY, Mad Catz' representative actually agreed, saying it's more of a media keyboard than a gaming one. Still, he showed us the one advantage its size offers: the device fits comfortably in a jacket pocket. It's something, at least.
Mad Catz working with NVIDIA to bring GameStream to MOJO
Remember that PC streaming feature Mad Catz' MOJO is supposed to be getting sometime after launch? It might be powered by NVIDIA's GameStream technology. "We're talking to NVIDIA and we hope to enable GameStream soon after the launch of the console," Alex Verrey, Mad Catz' Global PR Director told Engadget at Expand NY this weekend. Right now, the technology is only available on NVIDIA's own Shield handheld -- if the Mad Catz deal pans out, it would be the first appearance of GameStream on a third party device. Verrey stopped just short of confirming the partnership, but suggested that the company was looking at other platforms, too. "We're also very excited for Steam and we look at all these opportunities with interest."
Killer Instinct FightStick for Xbox One is up for preorder
A Killer Instinct-branded version of Mad Catz's forthcoming, Xbox One-flavored Tournament Edition 2 FightStick is up for pre-order on the peripheral manufacturer's official shop. At $200, the extent of the stick's Killer Instinct-ness appears to be its artwork, which can easily be removed and replaced thanks to the TE2's removable bezel. Otherwise, the stick features all of the bells and whistles touted by the prototype we first saw at E3: Sanwa-Denshi parts, multi-setting LED lighting effects, removable cable, easy access to the sticks innards and an onboard screwdriver with swappable heads. The Killer Instinct Tournament Edition 2 FightStick launches alongside the Xbox One on November 22.
One of Mad Catz MOJO's crazy features is streaming PC games
Mad Catz' leap into the microconsole industry – it's a thing – brings with it another growing industry trend: PC game streaming. Mad Catz has confirmed to Joystiq sister-site Engadget that its Android-based home console M.O.J.O. will add the ability to stream PC games to a user's television after the device launches. In response to Joystiq's request for further details on how the feature would work, a Mad Catz representative said the company was not ready to divulge. "The plan is indeed for M.O.J.O. to enable streaming from compatible PCs, allowing gamers to play their PC titles on the living room TV, however, we have not yet confirmed when this functionality will be enabled. For PC streaming to work, M.O.J.O. will require a simple update which we hope will be available shortly after launch," Joystiq was told. The M.O.J.O. is set to arrive in December for $250 and, unlike other currently available and upcoming Android-based microconsoles, the system has access to the Google Play store. The system's final hardware specifications can be found after the break.
Mad Catz M.O.J.O. Android console will stream PC games to your TV
When Mad Catz made pre-orders for its M.O.J.O. Android gaming console live, it did so with a curious bit about support for PC streaming. But any mention was quickly removed from the site and, when contacted for comment, the company remained silent. Now, however, Mad Catz has confirmed to Engadget that, yes, the M.O.J.O. will allow users to stream PC games to their TVs and the ability will be enabled via a software update "available shortly after launch." We've also received final specs for the micro-console which you can find after the break, although it all falls in line with what's been reported previously, so don't expect any new revelations. Does the addition of PC streaming -- a feature included in NVIDIA's Shield and planned for Valve's planned Steam Machines -- make the $250 M.O.J.O. a more attractive holiday purchase? Feel free to sound off in the comments below.
Mad Catz microconsole MOJO boots up pre-orders for $250, ships in December
Mad Catz's Android-based console MOJO is now available for pre-order. The system's price is now set at $249.99, and is expected to ship on December 10. Announced in June, MOJO separates itself from the likes of systems such as Ouya by allowing players to access games on the Google Play store. MOJO runs a stock version of Android and carries 16 GB of storage with a micro SD support for expandable storage up to 128 GB as well as a 1.8 GHz Tegra 4 processor. The console comes with a Mad Catz Ctrl-R bluetooth-enabled game pad, which includes a physical switch to change between three modes: Android controller, PC controller and mouse input.
Mad Catz announces 'Force Feedback Racing Wheel' for Xbox One
Mad Catz today announced the Force Feedback Racing Wheel, an surprisingly backronym-bereft premium steering wheel for the Xbox One. No price point has been revealed, though Mad Catz is "planning on hitting console launch for the wheel," according to Global PR & Communications Director Alex Verrey. The wheel features two "next generation Force Feedback motors," suede leather on the surface of the central device and a "luxury" removable CNC-machined aluminum faceplate. The package also includes a set of pedals, which can be set to the user's individual height/spacing/resistance preferences. For reference, the Xbox One's launch-day selection of racing games consists of Forza 5 and Need for Speed: Rivals.
Mad Catz's Android console now just 'MOJO,' pulls games straight from Google Play
Mad Catz's recently announced Project MOJO Android micro-console (now just "MOJO") was on-hand at the hardware manufacturer's open-air booth in the middle of E3's West Hall. We learned a great deal more about the device's proprietary publishing ecosystem, or rather its lack of one. Unlike the Ouya or other Android micro-consoles announced this year, the MOJO runs stock Android and connects to the Google Play store like any smartphone or tablet. This means that, rather than waiting for a game to be ported to the MOJO, it just has be ported to Android in general. It also means that the MOJO is registered to your existing Google Play account as another device, so any games you already own on your smartphone or tablet can be downloaded and played on the MOJO. "We don't believe we should be restricting you, we want to be as open as possible," Mad Catz senior product development manager Richard Neville told us. "We just want to give people the most powerful hardware they can get, and that then becomes the enabler for the user." Said hardware, at least on the E3 showfloor, ran on a Tegra 3 processor and featured HDMI output at 1080p, as well as two USB inputs, 16 gigs of on-board storage expandable by mini SD, wireless b/n/g interwebs and both Bluetooth Classic and Bluetooth Smart. The MOJO's processor is expected to change before the micro-console launches this winter, however, when the production unit's specs are finalized around the end of this summer. We were also told that the final version will feature an Ethernet port for hard-wiring into a home network. No pricing has been announced as of yet, but the console will include a Mad Catz Ctrl-R wireless Bluetooth Classic/Smart controller, which can change between being an Android controller, mouse input or PC gamepad at the flick of a switch.%Gallery-191510%
