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'Fortnite' now lets you use a Bluetooth controller to play on your phone
Epic Games is helping to level the playing field for Fortnite players on mobile with its latest patch. The update brings support for Bluetooth controllers to iOS and Android versions of the hit battle royale game (as promised back in November). Switching from touchscreen to an external gamepad should make the experience less fidgety on the go. And that could be critical when you're locked in a cross-play battle with PC and console players.
The Xbox One gamepad finally works like it should on Android
This week, XDA Developers discovered that Google has added full Android support for Microsoft's Bluetooth-enabled Xbox controller. Previously, gamers could connect their Android devices to the controller, but the button mapping in many games was incorrect. Yesterday, Google marked a two-year-old bug report on the issue as fixed and indicated the controller will work with Android Pie.
The latest Xbox One gamepad innovation: trigger grips
As sure as the sun sets, Microsoft spent some time at Gamescom talking about a new variant of its killer Xbox One gamepad. This time, it's one themed around PlayerUnknown's BattleGrounds. But rather than just being a superficial upgrade as is the norm, this one features a functional embellishment too: a grippy texture on the tops of the triggers. Cool. There's also a subtle digital camo pattern replete with scuffs and scrapes from battle. The metallic D-pad shows a similar kind of wear, and there's a blue-zone-esque circle around the left thumbstick. It ships in October and pre-orders are open right now.
The best PC-gaming gear for students
While many of you will likely make your school computer some sort of all-purpose laptop, a few of you need something that can also withstand extensive gameplay sessions. For that reason, we've included in our back-to-school guide a handful of gaming-specific notebooks along with three GPUs, should your existing rig be due for an upgrade. Already have a system you're happy with? Treat yourself to a mouse, keyboard, or a game or three.
First Xbox One 'Tech Series' controller adds tactical styling
Console players with money to burn might find their stock controllers just a little too drab one day and go hunting for a more stylish gamepad. Xbox One owners are particularly in luck, since Microsoft seems to add new color and design schemes every few months. The latest remix of the console's standard wireless controller comes in the new Tech series, and the first in that line looks perfect for the aesthete in your life that appreciates geometric designs and military chic.
The best PC gaming controller
By Kimber Streams This post was done in partnership with The Wirecutter, a buyer's guide to the best technology. Read the full article here. After putting in 15 hours of research and testing—in addition to hundreds of hours gaming on controllers in years past—and enlisting the help of an experienced panel of gamers, we found that the Sony DualShock 4 Wireless Controller (yes, the one that comes with the PlayStation 4) is the best gaming controller to use with your computer. In fact, we concluded that all the best PC controllers are console controllers. But a gaming controller is a highly personal object, and your preferences may differ based on your hand size, gaming style, and operating system. If you already own a controller that you love, you probably don't need to buy a new one.
Wireless Xbox One controller adapter for Windows ships today
You won't have to wait much longer to use your Xbox One gamepad wirelessly with your PC. Microsoft announced today that its handy peripheral, revealed earlier this year, is now shipping to "most" retail stores around the world. If you're in the US, though, it looks like the Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows will be available starting today for $25. There's also a bundle kitted with an Xbox One controller, which is $55 extra -- or $80 total, to be specific. The USB-powered add-on is going to be useful for Windows 10 users who want to use it to play PC games, as well as with Xbox One titles being streamed to a nearby desktop, laptop or hybrid tablet.
1TB Xbox One with new controller spotted on Amazon
I spy with my little eye an Xbox One with 500GB more storage and a controller with a built-in 3.5mm headset port. Amazon has what appears to be a placeholder page for a 1TB Xbox One bundled with the newly designed controller and Halo: The Master Chief Collection, all for $400. It has a release date of June 15th. The listing is tucked away on Amazon and it doesn't include any photos, but it wouldn't be surprising if Microsoft is preparing an announcement for its E3 showcase -- also on June 15th. A Microsoft spokesperson had the following to say about the listing: "We're gearing up for an exciting E3 where we'll showcase more games and experiences. We have nothing further to share at this time."
Microsoft's new accessories include a wired Xbox One controller for PCs
If yesterday was Microsoft's day for announcing big news (read: a $2.5 billion acquisition), today is the day it moves on to less pressing topics. The company's hardware team just unveiled a few new accessories, including a wired Xbox One controller for PC gaming, and a portable Bluetooth keyboard that can pair with three different devices at once. Starting with the controller, this is basically the same one that already ships with the Xbox. In fact, because it comes with a battery pack in the box, you could use it wirelessly with the Xbone, in case you need a second controller. Heck, even the price is the same, at $60. The only difference? It includes a USB cable, allowing you to play on a Windows PC. Unfortunately, for now, at least, the controller can't be used wirelessly with a PC. Then again, the last-gen Xbox 360 controller started as wired-only, but later got a dongle, allowing you to use it wirelessly with Windows machines. So maybe Microsoft will follow a similar timetable here as well.
Xbox One will support up to eight controllers (update: PS4 supports four)
We've already gotten an intimate look at the Xbox One controller on multiple occasions, but Microsoft's just snuck in some new tidbits about how the gamepad will work with its new console. Ballmer and Co. quietly disclosed on the gaming machine's official site that the gamepads have a 30-foot range, and that up to eight of them can simultaneously connect to a single One. Naturally, developers will have to account for the additional controllers before you can hop into a Halo match with seven friends on a single machine. We can't imagine that divvying up a display into eight parts will result in a terribly comfortable experience, but there are certainly other ways to include extra folks in multiplayer games. Update: Shuhei Yoshida confirmed on Twitter that the PlayStation 4 will only support four controllers simultaneously -- so if you plan to game in person with more than a quartet per console, it looks like Xbox is the way to go.
