powera
Latest
Apple Watch Series 7 models drop to $330, plus the rest of this week's best tech deals
The best tech deals this week include $70 off the Apple Watch Series 7, 38 percent off the second-generation AirPods and $70 off Anker's Eufy RoboVac 11S.
Apple's new iPad Air is $30 off, plus the rest of the week's best tech deals
This week's best tech deals include $30 off the 2022 iPad Air, $50 off Bose's QuietComfort 45 headphones and 58 percent off Amazon's Echo Buds.
PowerA’s cute Nano Switch controller is great for small hands
PowerA's diminutive Nano controller is perfect for small hands.
PowerA's Nano Enhanced is a compact Switch controller with pro features
The Nano Enhanced Wireless Controller is a compact gamepad for the Nintendo Switch.
Wirecutter's best deals: The Eero Pro mesh networking kit, and more!
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.
Daily Roundup: Tablet buyer's guide, Outlook goes down, Windows 8.1 launch date, 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.
PowerA's Moga Power controllers charge your phone while you play (hands-on)
Since we saw PowerA's Moga Pro controller at CES earlier this year, the company has shown that it's keen to evolve its product line based on early adopter feedback. Its two latest Bluetooth Android controllers -- the Moga Pro Power and the more petite Moga Hero Power -- bring some added functionality to PowerA's lineup while building on the successes (and shortcomings) of the previous iterations. In addition to enhanced ergonomics and an improved grip, Moga's newest offerings also boast multiplayer support and the ability to charge your phone while you play. The latter might be PowerA's ace in the hole, but do the upgrades make for an even better mobile gaming experience? Read on to find out. %Gallery-196005%
Moga Pro controller makes Android games better
We got our hands on one of PowerA's new Moga Pro Android controllers, and so we decided to put together a little video detailing how it works. The Moga Pro is a full-sized console styled controller, complete with a cradle to attach Android phones (and a separate stand for tablets).Overall, the experience of using the Moga Pro is a good one, providing much greater control compared to Android's usual touch screen controls. First-person shooters in particular are dramatically better, and the benefits for a reflex-intensive game like Pac-Man are obvious. We did notice a small amount of input lag while playing R-Type, but this seems to be a software issue, as other games like Dead Trigger played just fine.There's also a strange bug in R-Type that can force users to exit other games and go back into R-Type. We contacted PowerA, and the bug seems to be confined specifically to R-Type. PowerA is reaching out to its developers to get it fixed.The Moga Pro is available now for $50. Watch the video above for a full rundown.Update: PowerA contacted Joystiq to let us know that R-Type has been updated, and the bug mentioned in the video should now be fixed.
MOGA to support Kindle Fire and Windows Phone 8, $50 Pro controller slated for April 15th
After nearly six months on the market, the MOGA Bluetooth-powered gaming controller is finally ready to open up its Android-restricted doors. We were told at the Game Developers Conference that starting today, developers can add MOGA support to Kindle Fire and Windows Phone 8 games, thus marking the device's first foray outside of the Google Play ecosystem. Consumers shouldn't get too excited by this announcement just yet, however, as this is just a call for developers -- it'll still be awhile until we see MOGA-compatible Kindle Fire and Windows Phone 8 games pop up on that MOGA Pivot app. In the meantime, we also learned that the MOGA Pro controller we saw at CES will be available in stores starting April 15th for $50 a pop, so hopefully those newly-ported apps will be ready by then.
Hands-on with the PowerA's Moga Pro
Perhaps the form factor of PowerA's previous Moga -- a Bluetooth-enabled Android game controller -- was too mobile for you? PowerA's got you covered, showing off its full controller-sized Moga Pro this week at CES 2013. The differences from Moga's previous iteration are clear and many: a rechargeable battery built in, a d-pad, larger face buttons, full analog sticks with click, and shoulder buttons just above triggers (and a backlight, if you're into that kinda thing). There's also a stand included, should you choose to use the Moga Pro with your Bluetooth-enabled Android tablet -- the controller's built in phone holder extends all the way up to the (enormous) Note 2. To call it a big difference seems to be a disservice to a device that is essentially completely different from its forebear. The Moga Pro is a solidly built, comfortable controller. Where the Moga felt a bit constricting and prone to causing hand cramps over long use, the Moga Pro feels as natural as a regular game console controller. The triggers out back resemble those of the Xbox 360's gamepad, and the same quality applies to the clickable dual analogs on the face. The d-pad is perfectly serviceable as well. However, as Android games aren't built with a controller in mind, the experience actually using the controller in-game (we played Dead Trigger) was a bit wonky. A bit of lag -- easily perceptible -- stood between our button presses and action in the game. This may not make a huge difference to some folks, but to anyone used to console or PC gaming, it's an unacceptable situation. The folks at PowerA say this issue can be overcome by developers should they choose to invest in a solution, but we're not so confident that devs will make that investment. Time will tell. The final addition is a switch for two separate modes: A for the standard Moga Pro mode, and B for an "H.I.D." mode. What's H.I.D., you ask? Yeah, we did too -- apparently it's an emerging standard for Bluetooth controller. It's yet to be solidly accepted across the board by various peripheral manufacturers, but just in case it does, the Moga Pro will be ready. As for when you can get your hands on the Moga Pro, that's another question altogether. We were given a spring 2013 window and no price point for the device, but we're anticipating a similar pricing to the $50 that the original Moga cost.
PowerA's Moga Pro, a full-size controller for Android phones
Adding further evidence to the theory that 2013 is the year of Android gaming devices, PowerA has revealed a new version of the Moga Android controller. Named the Moga Pro, the device is a full-size Bluetooth controller styled in the same fashion as an Xbox 360 pad. The unit features two analog sticks, a D-pad, four face buttons, two shoulder buttons and two triggers.Just like its smaller predecessor, the Moga Pro features an integrated folding grip that secures Android phones (up to 3.2 inches wide) directly to the controller. The controller also comes with a stand for larger phones and tablets. The Moga Pivot App, meanwhile, helps players find and download compatible Android games from Google Play.The Moga Pro will launch this spring, and our friends at Engadget should go hands-on with device this week at CES.%Gallery-174963%
PowerA's Moga Android game controller grows in Pro model, arrives this spring
Remember the Moga? It's the Bluetooth-powered Android game controller unveiled in mid-2012 by gaming accessory manufacturer PowerA, in case you'd forgotten. With PowerA's just announced Moga Pro, however, the company's taking its original concept and blowing it out into a full-on gaming controller (reminiscent of what you use on Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3, as seen above). Like with the first Moga, the Moga Pro features four face buttons, two analog sticks, and two shoulder buttons -- additionally, the Pro has two triggers below each shoulder, making shooters all the more shoot-y. "But where does my Android phone go?" you're asking, right? Well it gets strapped into the stand attached to the top of the controller, of course. If it looks a bit awkward, that's because it is a bit awkward -- setting your expensive phone into a rubber rocker while making that rocker unstable by pressing buttons below it is a precarious situation. That said, our experience with the first Moga was relatively positive, despite the nagging fear that our phone was moments from falling to its death at any moment. The Pro model gets around this fear a bit with a separate stand for your phone, but it also keeps the design of the original (supporting Android phones up to 3.2-inches wide) should you wish to test your luck. We'll see just how different the Moga Pro is from its previous iteration when we go hands-on during CES 2013, later this week. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
PowerA's MOGA Bluetooth Android controller launching on October 21 for $50
Like playing Sonic CD on your Android device but sick of those pesky virtual buttons? How will you ever keep ahold of all those rings?! PowerA has one potential solution for you in its MOGA (mobile gaming system) Bluetooth controller, which arrives at "key retailers and carriers" on October 21 for $49.99. The MOGA comes with two analog sticks, four diamond-style face buttons, two shoulder buttons, and a Bluetooth transmitter for connection with any Android-powered device (Gingerbread or newer OS required). A companion app, available free on the Google Play store, enables the MOGA to work with select titles -- not all Android games support the controller, but PowerA promises more are being added all the time; deals with the likes of Gameloft, Atari, Namco, Sega, and Remedy Entertainment are already in place. Should you decide to pick one up this October, the MOGA comes with free copies of Sonic CD (!) and Pac-Man.
PowerA's phone controller is almost as cool as its iPhone Star Wars cases
PowerA predicts it will earn $50 million in retail revenue from its line of Skylanders accessories alone this year. Up next it's built some Medal of Honor: Warfighter controllers and will unveil its "MOGA" mobile gaming controller, the latter of which you can check out in the gallery below, along with an Arkham City batarang controller and other goodies.Oh, and it has a lineup of pretty awesome iPhone 4 Star Wars cases to match the Star Wars notification sounds you already have enabled on your mobile phone. Nerd.%Gallery-157431%
PowerA unveils MOGA Bluetooth controller for Android devices, we go hands-on
PowerA's best known as a company that crafts controllers and accessories for console gaming systems, but at E3 this year the firm is announcing its first foray into the mobile space: a Bluetooth controller for Android. Called the MOGA, its got dual analog sticks and shoulder buttons, along with a fold-out, spring-loaded center portion that holds phones of all sizes in place while you get your game on -- not unlike Gametel's controller we saw at CES. The front of the device is glossy black plastic, while the rear is swathed in rubber, with ribbed portions on the grips to keep it firmly in hand.%Gallery-156556% A companion app, available for free through the Google Play store, is also a part of the Moga experience. Called the MOGA Pivot app, it scans your phone for games compatible with the controller, lists them, and lets you launch them direct from the app. Not only that, it'll periodically update the games list as new games are acquired and it'll download patch kits automatically for existing games as they become compatible with the controller. Additionally, it's got a store (powered by Google Play) that'll let users download new compatible games, and titles in the Play Store will have a badge to let folks know which games work with Moga. Currently, the company has 14 games on board -- including Duke Nukem 3D, Virtua Tennis Challenge and Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II -- and are in talks with some other big publishers, so more titles will be supported in the coming weeks and months. We got a sneak peek at the MOGA ahead of E3 and talked with the folks from PowerA about their newest bit of kit, so join us after the break for our impressions.%Gallery-156553%
Batarang controllers to be thrown at E3, come back in October
If multiple batmobiles, a bat-usb stick, and a bat-puter aren't enough to convince you Bruce Wayne is a vain egomaniac, maybe these Batman: Arkham City batarang controllers will give you pause. In traditional bat-gadget fashion, these Xbox 360 and Ps3 controllers boast a cheesy bat-aesthetic (such as bat-start and select / back buttons), dual rumble motors, comfort-soft grips, and seven switchable splashes of LED color. Although physically the two controllers are pretty similar, Ol' Bats seems to favor the PlayStation 3, giving its controller not only the popular Xbox 360 button / analog layout, but an internal battery, detachable charging cable, and batman-themed USB RF receiver, to boot. The Xbox variant? A dated, wired affair -- but hey, at least it's got that Xbox guide button, right? The controllers will be on display next week at E3, courtesy of Power-A, and will hit store shelves when Batman: Arkham City ships in October, leaving you little excuse not to be geared up and ready when the bat-phone rings. Hit the break for the official press release... or, you know, have Robin do it for you.
