Keyboards and mice connect to and control next-gen game consoles with XIM4 adapter (video)
Perhaps you’re a long-time PC gamer, but the massive marketing campaigns waged by Microsoft and Sony have had the desired effect, and you’ve taken the next-gen plunge. But in doing so, must you exchange your mad mouse and keyboard skills for the clumsy controls offered by DualShock and Xbox controllers? Nay! For a new XIM adapter is here to hook your PC peripherals to your Xbox One or PlayStation 4, providing you the precision PC control you’re accustomed to — and allow you to use your existing Bluetooth or USB headsets to work with those consoles too.
This newest XIM currently works with Xbox One, and you can see a video of a prototype device being used to play on Call of Duty: Ghosts after the break. Aside from bringing next-gen compatibility, XIM4 also has a companion app that lets you configure your controls wirelessly with your Android device running 2.3.3 and up — as opposed to the old adapters that required you to wire them up to a PC to do so. You see, for XIM’s tech to work, users must download a different profile for every game, as each title has its own control quirks — but as new games come out, the app prompts users automatically to download the latest profiles. The XIM4 won’t be released until next year, but a beta will be opening up soon to folks who own a XIM Edge (the previous-gen XIM that works with Xbox 360 and PS3), and work is ongoing to get it functioning with Sony’s DualShock 4. Stay tuned.
[Thanks, Nicolas]
Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals
Source: XIM3
Avenger Reflex aims to improve Xbox One and PS4 input times, looks bananas
Those Xbox One and PlayStation 4 gamepads you’ve got look a little underdressed, and not nearly enough like Batman. Thankfully, the Avenger Reflex is here to fix both issues in one fell swoop, appending a shell to either the XB1 or PS4 gamepad that promises “faster response time” and levers to hit the four main face buttons without having to lift your thumbs from either thumbstick.
As you might’ve already guessed, the Reflex is simply the latest iteration in the Avenger series. It adds one new trick: dubbed the “bionic edge,” a lever below your left thumb “removes all need to move your thumb from your analog stick.” We’ll have to give it a shot before trusting that claim; we’ve got until “late March,” when the Avenger Reflex goes on sale for $70 (pre-orders are available now for 20 percent off if you use discount code “REFLEX”).
The company started back in 2011 with an Xbox 360 gamepad shell, eventually evolving several successful iterations. Beyond the Avenger controller series, the company also makes the occasionally controversial, always bizarre Delta Six gaming peripheral.
Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals, HD, Sony, Microsoft
Google’s 2013 Zeitgeist includes Mandela, iPhones and a 3D trend map (video)
Google is back again with its annual list of the most popular searches of the year — only this time, with a 3D twist. In addition to old-fashioned 2D charts, the internet giant’s 2013 Zeitgeist includes a trend globe that lets you see what major cities were looking for on any given day. Google+ also plays a large role, as you can share and browse the social network’s most memorable public photos.
Like in years past, 2013′s top searches were a mixture of tech and tragedy. The deaths of Nelson Mandela and Paul Walker led the world’s queries, but many also spent a lot of time looking for the iPhone 5s, Galaxy S 4 and PlayStation 4. Other notable searches ranged from serious matters like the Boston Marathon bombing to the silliness of the Harlem Shake. Want to see more? Hop past the break, where we have both the full top 10 list as well as Google’s year-in-review video.
Top 10 Global Searches
- Nelson Mandela
- Paul Walker
- iPhone 5s
- Cory Monteith
- Harlem Shake
- Boston Marathon
- Royal Baby
- Samsung Galaxy S4
- PlayStation 4
- North Korea
Filed under: Internet, Apple, Samsung, Sony, Google
Via: Google Official Blog
Source: Google Zeitgeist
Minecraft creeps to PlayStation 3 on December 17th
The extensive console exclusivity period Microsoft enjoyed with Minecaft on Xbox 360 is coming to a close, as the first-person world-building game digs in on PlayStation 3 tomorrow. Like its 360 brethren, Minecraft on PS3 is limited by the console’s minuscule RAM — the procedurally-generated worlds you’ll explore are just a wee bit smaller than what’s possible on a computer.
Of course, PlayStation 3 isn’t the last stop for the Minecraft train: Vita, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One versions are all expected at some point in 2014. It’s unclear whether the PlayStation version of Minecraft will experience the same flood of add-on, PlayStation-specific content as DLC post-launch, but developer Mojang says that, “would be cool!” We can’t help but agree. As far as price is concerned, Mojang and Sony aren’t saying; we’re gonna take a wild guess that it’ll be about the same as on 360, where it’s $20.
Filed under: Gaming, Software, HD, Sony
Source: US PlayStation Blog
PlayStation 4 on top in November next-gen console sales according to NPD
Confirming what we already suspected, sales tracking firm NPD reports that the PlayStation 4 outsold the Xbox One in North America during November. As of latest numbers, the Playstation 4 is in 2.1 million homes compared to the Xbox One’s 2 million — a great start for both consoles and a paltry sales difference. Sony released a statement from SCEA head Jack Tretton, which said, “Demand continues to overwhelm supply, but we’re working hard to get PS4 units into the hands of customers throughout the holiday season.” The full statement is just beyond the break.
Xbox One, meanwhile, was apparently November’s “fastest selling console,” with around 101K sold each day of availability (November 22nd through November 30th). Since the PS4 was available starting on November 15th, and the Xbox One went on sale starting November 22nd, the Xbox One caught up in sales so quickly because of higher demand. Or as NPD puts it, “When looking at sales on an average per-week basis, Xbox One led PS4.” Last month’s Xbox One launch was also Microsoft’s most successful console launch on record, which Microsoft’s assuredly enjoying.
SCEA CEO and president Jack Tretton:
“PlayStation 4 sales in North America and worldwide have been incredibly strong since launch, culminating in PS4 being recognized as the largest console launch in history. In North America alone, more than one million PS4 units were sold in only 24 hours and we’re pleased NPD has reported that PS4 was the top selling next gen platform for both hardware and software in November. We are humbled by the passion and excitement demonstrated by gamers for PS4. Demand continues to overwhelm supply, but we’re working hard to get PS4 units into the hands of customers throughout the holiday season.”
The next game from Braid’s creator supports the Oculus Rift
After indie game darling Braid‘s mass popularity, creator Jonathan Blow didn’t go crazy and buy a Lamborghini or something. He started a game studio instead, to create his next big thing: The Witness. Blow was on-stage at Sony’s big PlayStation 4 announcement event back in February (that was this year!), where he announced The Witness as headed to the PlayStation 4 as a “console exclusive” — a coup for Sony’s PlayStation 4 after Braid initially debuted exclusively on Microsoft’s Xbox 360 in 2008.
Since that announcement, Blow’s been in development mode. The Witness was featured at Sony’s PlayStation 4 review event, as well as trade shows like E3 and Gamescom, but he and his team have otherwise been pretty quiet. A few weeks ago, however, Blow posted a duo of enticing images (one of which is seen above) with the headline, “What could it mean??” The internet answered with the logical response: “Jonathan Blow possibly teasing Oculus [Rift] support for The Witness. This game seems like a perfect fit.” is Reddit’s headline. Surprising no one, The Witness — at least the PC version — will support the Oculus Rift.
“The main work we are doing is not for the Oculus,” Blow told Engadget. “But then, since we are doing 3D it is not that big a step to support the Oculus also, so we are implementing support for it.” In other news, apparently The Witness will support 3D televisions! It’s not clear how the headset will interact with the game in terms of gameplay input, but we’re thrilled enough by the thought of exploring The Witness‘ first-person open-world using the Oculus Rift. And hey, maybe there’ll be a consumer version in sight by the time The Witness launches in 2014!
Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals, Software, HD, Sony
Amazon opens digital PlayStation store in the UK
While Microsoft is slowly ramping up the price of exclusive Xbox One digital games in the UK, PlayStation 4 owners could soon witness the opposite. Following its launch in the US, Amazon has launched the PlayStation Network store on the other side of the Atlantic, letting you buy digital Playstation 3, Playstation 4 and Playstation Vita titles, as well as season passes and DLC, through its website. Although Amazon offered a number of launch promotions in the US, including $5 credit on digital orders, the company isn’t spreading the love to the UK and currently matches Sony’s PSN pricing. However, Sony’s decision to let PlayStation owners shop around for digital titles looks set to increase competition, lowering prices and helping you discover a Knack for finding the best game deals.
Filed under: Gaming, Sony, Amazon
Via: Eurogamer
Source: Amazon UK
Sony patent hints at a touch-enabled PlayStation Move controller
Sony’s PlayStation Move controller has helped bring motion-enabled gaming to PlayStation consoles for over three years, but hasn’t exactly set the world alight. To better compete with Microsoft’s controller-less Kinect and Nintendo’s Wii motion accessories, the company has been looking to extract more functionality from its wireless joystick, as evidenced in a recent filing with the US Patent Office. The patent, entitled “Flat Joystick Controller,” describes a controller not dissimilar to the PlayStation Move handheld we’ve come to know and kinda love, but Sony hints that an upgrade could come in the form of a touch-sensitive surface on the front of the handle.
The company says the new controller “enables control for a variety of applications and simulations while providing an intuitive interface,” allowing gamers to better control in-game characters and select elements without having to alter their grip. While the patent suggests Sony is only experimenting with the feature, similar to the hybrid DualShock/PlayStation Move controller patent it filed last year, we know that the company mulled an all-touch PS4 controller before settling on the DualShock 4, indicating that touch still has a big part to play in PlayStation’s future.
Via: Joystiq
Source: USPTO
PS4 creates 100,000 new users, 10 percent of Twitch traffic
It seems PS4 owners are more than a little curious when it comes to testing out a bit of Battlefield 4 livestreaming. Sony announced today that its new console has accounted for 10 percent of Twitch content since its launch last month. Confirming …
Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition coming to PS4 and Xbox One January 28th, but you can pre-order now
Lara Croft is making her way to Sony’s and Microsoft’s latest gaming consoles next month. At Spike’s VGX show, we got our first glimpse of Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition, which will be available for both PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on January 28th…
AIVAnet 