Here at E3, PDP is showing off a handful of new gaming accessories for those looking to jump on the third-party bandwagon. The company has refreshed its line of Afterglow controllers that now sport a second edition label. Much like the previous models, the family will include accessories for PS3, Xbox 360 and two for Wii. The major difference that you’ll notice is a portion of the peripherals is now black — a bit of a departure from the clear interior-lit controllers that we’ve seen previously. In addition to the recharged versions of the Afterglow add-ons, the outfit also allowed us to go ears-on with a wireless stereo gaming headset that will sport the same illuminated moniker.

Here, you’ll have your choice for either white or black (and then red, blue or green interiors) for the set of cans that provide a quite cozy fit — thanks in part to the extra padding around the earcups. We gave them a spin with latest Call of Duty offering and were quite pleased with the sound quality, too. Three sound modes provide a bit of customization, allowing you to choose between pure audio, bass boost and 3D expander listening pre-sets. An LED on the tip of the unit’s mic will keep you informed as to which selection you’ve made. Speaking of controls, all of the in-game adjustments that you’ll need to make can be easily done from the left side. You can expect around 10 hours of gameplay on a single charge, an auxiliary jack for your mobile devices and connection to your console via USB dongle. When the headset arrives in September, it will set you back $89.95 and play nice with PS3, Xbox, Wii and PC. If you’re still curious about further visual details, head for the gallery below and take a closer look.

PDP Afterglow 2.0 controllers and stereo wireless headset hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 21:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Although we managed to get our mitts on the Wii U and updated GamePad here at E3 following Nintendo’s keynote, the recently unveiled Pro Controller turned out to be harder to find. We were thankfully able to visit the company’s amusement park massive booth on the show floor where we discovered the wireless peripheral, along with a GamePad, tethered to a demo of the upcoming title, Rayman Legends. Join us past the break for our initial impressions in text and on camera.

Continue reading Nintendo Wii U Pro Controller hands-on (video)

Nintendo Wii U Pro Controller hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 03:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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After Sony’s PlayStation keynote last night here at E3, PlayStation.Blog made a sort-of-surprise announcement when it officially detailed the $40 Move Racing Wheel — something we only caught passing glimpses of during our liveblog. Naturally, we decided to drop by Sony’s booth to find out whether the peripheral might potentially pass muster for you serious virtual racers out there. Our verdict after some racing in LittleBigPlanet Karting? Definitely not, but it sure is interesting despite a few quirks. Join us past the break where we’ll break it down with text and video.

Continue reading Sony PlayStation Move Racing Wheel hands-on (video)

Sony PlayStation Move Racing Wheel hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jun 2012 21:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Over that past couple years, we’ve found that Razer’s usually good for a surprise or two at any trade show it attends, and today at E3 we got to lay eyes on the latest product to emerge from the company’s skunkworks. Called Artemis, that lovely bit of kit you see above is a prototype Razer’s cooked up for MechWarrior Online aficionados. It features modular construction with one section housing 12 mechanical keys and sliding throttle input, a central unit housing an 8-inch LCD display (to serve as a secondary screen during gameplay) and an adjustable force-feedback flight stick module.

Naturally, what we saw on the show floor wasn’t functional, but Razer told us that all of the controls are integrated and will be fully customizable — so key/button combos can be used — when it hits the market. Razer informed us that, while they do plan to sell Artemis in some form, for now they are simply soliciting feedback on this initial design so that it can be tailored to player preferences before being sold. The prototype took around five months to construct, so with the iterations that are likely to ensue after E3, it’s safe to say that Artemis won’t go on sale anytime soon. But, the game it’s built for isn’t even out of closed beta yet, so it makes sense for Razer to take its time and get it right. While you wait for version 2.0, check out our gallery of pics below, and the promo video after the break.

Continue reading Razer unveils Artemis prototype controller for MechWarrior Online, we go eyes-on

Razer unveils Artemis prototype controller for MechWarrior Online, we go eyes-on originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jun 2012 20:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo wasn’t particularly forthcoming with the specs at its keynote earlier today — and, well, some things are probably best not mentioned when attempting to hype up your new console. Like, say, the three to five hour battery life on the Wii U GamePad. That’s the word coming from a spec sheet posted by the gaming giant. Of course, that usage depends on factors like the brightness of the screen, and Nintendo warns that things may end up being shorter in the end. The slightly better news here is that you can plug the controller in to charge while playing, so that’s something, right?

Nintendo clocks Wii U controller life in at three to five hours on a charge originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jun 2012 20:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nyko’s Free Fighter joystick was unveiled earlier today, and now that E3 2012 has officially begun, we decided we’d head out to the show floor and get our grubby mitts on the thing in person. Anyone who’s spent time in an arcade will feel right at home laying hands on Free Fighter, as it uses

authentic Sanwa Denshi components — the buttons provide a pleasant, loose clicking sensation when pressed, and the stick itself is fluid, yet precise. We got a chance to play a bit of Soul Caliber with a pair of Nyko’s controllers, where we found the programmable macros and turbo functions to be quite useful, given our meager digital fighting skills.

Setting macros up is easy peasy: simply press and hold one of the keys until it changes color from red to blue, then input over 20 directional or button commands as you like. Custom turbo creation is similarly simple, just press both the turbo key and button you want turbo-fied, then tap chosen button up to five times in the cadence of your choosing and you’re good to go. These two features will appeal to novices, as they make fighting games more accessible, but it’ll also help pros rack up combos, too. And for those who aren’t into one-on-one combat, Nyko informed us that because of the Free Fighter’s modular design, the company may make a compatible flight stick or other controller modules in the future.

Nyko Free Fighter arcade joystick hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jun 2012 19:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Every June, Nyko outs all sorts of gaming peripherals at E3, and this year is no different. It’s latest is the ambidextrous Free Fighter arcade-style joystick for PS3 that can be set up for either left- or right-handed gamers. It can be further customized to suit button-mashers of all styles with two variable-speed turbo keys and four programmable macros to let you perform complex combos with a single press. Plus, every button’s backlit, and the whole thing comes with a detachable, expandable base to keep it from sliding around in your lap while you’re hurling hadoukens and slinging sonic booms. It’ll hit store shelves in September with $180 price tag, but if you can’t wait until then, check the gallery of press pics below and stay tuned for our hands-on from the E3 show floor.

Continue reading Nyko Free Fighter joystick brings flexible controls, arcade flair to the PS3

Nyko Free Fighter joystick brings flexible controls, arcade flair to the PS3 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jun 2012 13:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We didn’t spot it on stage during the pre-E3 2012 press conference, but Sony’s PlayStation Blog is showing off a new PS Move Racing Wheel on the way. This framework apparently fits around the Move, featuring different grip styles with twist throttles and paddle shifters depending on what kind of racing you’d like to do. The “precise motion tracking” afforded by the Move appears to be targeted at titles like the upcoming LittleBigPlanet Karting, but it’s hard to see how this will be real wheel, or even controller, alternative for serious gamers. It certainly seems to be fair competition for Microsoft’s Wireless Speed Wheel that was introduced last year or the Nintendo Wii Wheel, but frankly we’re surprised that’s a battle anyone else wanted to be in. Either way, we expect to get our hands on it this week before it hits stores this fall for $39.99.

Sony reveals $40 PlayStation Move Racing Wheel for LittleBigPlanet Karting and more originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 22:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sick of trying to control your 360 using Kinect, semaphore and advanced flailing? Modgod Ben Heck, deciding he wanted to be more Minority Report and less lunatic, has been working on Power Glove 2.0 to improve the console’s navigation experience. The prototype glove is tricked out with Arduino, an accelerometer, a gyroscope and some fingertip buttons. With the addition of IR and a little coding magic, the 360′s interface can be controlled via subtle gestures, with increased functionality / style points also apparent. Check out the latest episode of The Ben Heck Show after the break for a detailed walkthrough of the project and a demo of the glove in action.

Continue reading Ben Heck makes Super Glove mod for Kinect, takes strain out of gestures (video)

Ben Heck makes Super Glove mod for Kinect, takes strain out of gestures (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 17:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aside from officially detailing tweaks to its Wii U Gamepad today, Nintendo has announced a secondary controller for those who’d prefer a more traditional control method. Dubbed as the Pro Controller, the wireless peripheral has a remarkably similar shape and button layout to what comes standard with the Xbox 360 — albeit with a duo a of joysticks and Nintendo-focused function buttons. You’ll also notice that it’s the first Wii U accessory to be colored in black, rather the white we’ve become accustomed to. It doesn’t stop there either. While showing more video of how the Gamepad functions, it and the Wii U were also shown in the murdered-out hue for the first time — eye pleasing to say the least. There’s not word on pricing for the Pro Controller or whether the system will be released in both black and white just yet, but we’ll be sure to bring you more details from the show floor at E3 when we have them. Click past the break for a look at the console and Gamepad in their darker attire.

Update: Join us past the break to view the webstream for yourself!

Continue reading Nintendo teases Wii U Pro Controller, black Wii U hardware (update: video)

Nintendo teases Wii U Pro Controller, black Wii U hardware (update: video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 03 Jun 2012 18:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Looks like Nintendo didn’t want to wait for its proper E3 press conference to spill some Wii U details early — it just used its preview event to show the finished version of the Wii U controller, called the Gamepad, as well as a TV remote app. The Gamepad is decidedly wider than what we saw a year ago, with comfort clearly the top priority in other areas: the analog sticks have been moved further outwards and made clickable, while the back grip has been tweaked in the process. There’s also no doubt as to where to interact with NFC gadgets, either, as a dedicated spot below the directional pad will take all your device-to-device taps. As for the remote, it looks to be a straightforward number pad navigator with a programming guide, all steering your TV through infrared. Between this and the Wii U Pro Controller, though, it’s clear Nintendo hasn’t been sitting still in the past year, and has some home theater ambitions in the process. We’re curious as to what Nintendo is saving up for its bigger gala on Tuesday.

Update: Join us past the break to view the webstream for yourself!

Continue reading Nintendo shows final Wii U Gamepad, TV remote app (update: video)

Nintendo shows final Wii U Gamepad, TV remote app (update: video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 03 Jun 2012 18:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How could we forget the GAEMS personal gaming environment? Looking something like a cross between a laptop from the eighties, and a bomb disposal unit, the all-in-one Xbox system was always going to make an impression. Well, with E3 just around the corner, it looks like there might be another model on the way. All we know at the moment is that it’s called “Sentry,” and will have more of a personal entertainment leaning. This being based on the fact that on top of the Xbox gaming, GAMES only went as far to tease that services like Netflix, HULU and YouTube will be increasingly central to it. The firm is also revealing a new device with the working title “Project Vanguard,” about which it’s even more secretive. Either way, better make more room on that luggage rack.

Continue reading GAEMS announces new Sentry Xbox 360 suitcase, teases Project Vanguard

GAEMS announces new Sentry Xbox 360 suitcase, teases Project Vanguard originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 03 Jun 2012 06:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What is a DJ? Everyone who considers him or herself one can probably give you a unique answer. Is everyone with a music collection and a sense for good timing a DJ, or does their music collection have to exceed a certain number of gigabytes or slabs of vinyl to be in the club (no pun intended)? Audio playback devices are certainly getting more plentiful and powerful on a large scale; anyone who’s played with an iOS DJ app can tell you that. In the deeper end of the DJ pool, things aren’t expanding at such a frantic pace. But every once in a while a new toy crops up that adds depth and breadth to the way music nerds play back music. Native Instruments‘ just-released Traktor Kontrol F1 is a blinking slab of rainbow-tinged hardware with an intense devotion to manipulating samples. While boxes from Roland and Akai have been defining genres for decades, this 16-pad add-on takes the sampling game to a new arena. Will DJ’s want it? We feel it’s safe to say they will. At $279, should they buy it? That question’s a little more complicated.

Continue reading Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol F1 review

Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol F1 review originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 May 2012 17:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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.

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 CD — 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.

Continue reading PowerA unveils MOGA Bluetooth controller for Android devices, we go hands-on

PowerA unveils MOGA Bluetooth controller for Android devices, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 May 2012 16:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We got a look at N-Control’s Avenger Controller Elite just last month, and the company is rounding out the hardware’s May release with a full-court press on GameStop. The retailer’s online store is now selling both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 variants of the controller assist as straightforward, bundle-free $50 units. Company creator David Kotkin also tells us that the add-ons have had an extremely warm reception so far: although the Elite lineup had an unsung launch at GameStop on May 29th, it sold out on day one and is still in tight supply, with Xbox 360 examples currently on backorder as we write this. N-Control may have had a tough road in the past several months, but it looks as though that perseverance has paid off.

Continue reading N-Control Avenger Controller Elite reaches GameStop, sells like gangbusters

N-Control Avenger Controller Elite reaches GameStop, sells like gangbusters originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 May 2012 04:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Garmin may be in the early stages of navigating its way from the narrow roads of portable GPS to the in-car infotainment highway, but the company appears to be on the right path, directing focus away from dedicated compact devices and towards permanent in-dash installations. The latest advancement places a greater emphasis on improving control systems, marking a potential departure from the touchscreen in favor of a console-mounted multi-controller that enables adjustments while minimizing distractions. The system combines a proximity-sensing rotary controller that displays the appropriate interface as your hand approaches, along with a touchpad and a variety of selection buttons with functionality that varies depending on the current menu. In addition to the obvious GPS module, the system would enable HVAC control, car monitoring and even smartphone app integration. The multi-sensor controller is still in the concept phase — the project doesn’t even have a proper name yet — but it does appear to be a practical solution for future vehicle interfaces. You’ll find a few more details in the blog post after the break.

Continue reading Garmin multi-sensor controller concept replaces touchscreen interface with in-console dial rig

Garmin multi-sensor controller concept replaces touchscreen interface with in-console dial rig originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 07:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The iCade Arcade Cabinet famously began life as an April Fool’s joke, pulling the video game equivalent of Pinocchio by transforming in a real salable product. The $100 arcade machine-shaped iPad enclosure / controller hit the sweet spot between functionality and retro gaming nostalgia, proving successful enough that Ion found itself with a solid reason to expand the line. Notable amongst the new arrivals are the iCade Core, which offers up the same feature set as the original iCade in a more portable joystick form, and the iCade Mobile, a re-imagining of the product as an oversized iPhone case. The Core carries the same price tag as its predecessor, while the Mobile clocks in at $20 less. So, are these additions worthy of the iCade name? Or would the line have been better served as a one-off? Insert a coin and find out after the break.

Continue reading Ion iCade Mobile and iCade Core review

Ion iCade Mobile and iCade Core review originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 May 2012 15:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Let’s face it: right now, the head nods and other rudimentary controls of Google’s Project Glass are mostly useful for looking good, sharing photos and not much else. A US patent application submitted last September and just now published, however, raises the possibility of more sophisticated control coming from your hands. A ring, a bracelet or a even a fake fingernail with an infrared-reflective layer would serve as a gesture control marker for a receiver on heads-up display glasses. Having this extra control would give the glasses-mounted computing room to grow by learning gestures, and it could even depend on multiple ornaments for more sophisticated commands — at least, if you don’t mind looking like a very nerdy Liberace. We can imagine the headaches a hand-based method might cause for very enthusiastic talkers, among other possible hiccups, so don’t be surprised if Project Glass goes without any kind of ring input. That said, we suspect that Sauron would approve.

Google patent application could give Project Glass one true ring controller to rule them all originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 May 2012 12:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The litany of exciting Maker Faire products continues with MaKey MaKey, a device that turns anything capable of conducting electricity into a controller. Developed by MIT Media Lab students Jay Silver and Eric Rosenbaum, you simply run an alligator clip from the board to an object and hold a connecting wire in your hand. Connecting over USB, it’s entirely programming-free, but if you find your interest piqued, you can flip the board over to use the Arduino module baked into the hardware. It’s already surpassed its original $25,000 Kickstarter goal and when the run begins, you’ll be able to pick up everything you need for just $35 — but if you can’t wait that long, head on down to the Bay Area this weekend.

[Thanks, Ryan]

Continue reading MaKey, MaKey turns the whole world into a keyboard

MaKey, MaKey turns the whole world into a keyboard originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 May 2012 01:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Biometrics and laptop security go together like business meetings and boardrooms, but this Microsoft patent hints that gaming could be the next frontier for fingerprint recognition. The claims for “personalization using a hand-pressure signature” detail a product that may look like your standard 360 controller, but it features sensors to detect a user’s identity. It seems that, based on each gamer’s unique hand pressure patterns, the controller can determine who is holding the device at any given moment and deliver personalized content based on that user’s gaming profile. Whatever Microsoft’s mystery controller may be, E3 is just a few weeks away, so perhaps we’ll learn more then.

Microsoft patent details pressure-sensitive Xbox controller for storing players’ profiles originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 May 2012 16:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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