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New Sony controller patent is rich with opportunities

by Griffin McElroy { Oct 21st 2009 at 3:15PM }

Sure, Sony's orb-tipped PlayStation Motion Controller has yet to land in our laps, but that doesn't mean the company's not allowed to test the waters of other peripheral designs. Siliconera recently uncovered a series of patent illustrations for a new Sony-developed remote. There's little info about the controller in the patent filing, but based on its shape and the manner in which the dotted hand is holding it, we've come up with a few titles which might implement the device.

Buzz: Extreme Buzzer Trivia Challenge
Champagne Shake N' Spray
Box Cutter: Deluxe Edition
Imagine: Pipe Bombz
Scene It?!: The Game Where You Pretend to Masturbate
Arthur Fonzarelli's Thumbs-Up Training Program
Stranglin' Ostriches

Spotted: Popcorn box o' Xbox 360 peripherals

by James Ransom-Wiley { Sep 23rd 2009 at 1:44PM }

Click to jump in!

Joystiq has obtained official box art for an apparent Xbox 360 peripheral bundle. Diving a hand into the "popcorn" box (warning: contents inedible), one looks to pull out the following:

(1) Mini Universal Media Remote (the original Pro pack-in!)
(1) Wireless Network Adapter (apparently not the 802.11n version)
(1) Xbox Live 3-Month Gold Card
(1) 800 Microsoft Points Card
(0) No actual popcorn

While pricing and release details have yet to surface (though box art has been created for various European territories), we expect this package of dusty inventory -- hey, it's called "flexibility" people! -- to coincide with the release of the remote-less, WiFi-less Elite Holiday Bundle in the coming months.

Gallery: Xbox 360 Popcorn Box

Australia's PS3 Ultimate Blu-ray Movie Kit is only kind of ultimate

by Griffin McElroy { Aug 29th 2009 at 10:00PM }

The word "Ultimate" really gets thrown around a bit much in retail circles -- for instance, in our minds, the "Ultimate Blu-ray Movie Kit" would possess every Blu-ray movie ever made, a PS3 Slim, a machine that somehow produced delicious sandwiches, and a date with which to watch the aforementioned films. The date would also have to hate sandwiches, because -- hey, hands off, those are our sandwiches.

Sadly, Australia's recently released "PS3 Ultimate Blu-ray Movie Kit" doesn't include any of those things -- rather, the $60 AUD (or $51 U.S.) bundle only comes with a PS3 remote and two films. Both of the two currently available bundles come with 300, but their second films vary -- one includes 10,000 B.C., while the other comes with Batman Begins. If you're having a hard time choosing between the two, then you should probably get out of our sight and never come back.

[Via Engadget]

Logitech bringing PS3 'Harmony' to its remotes [update]

by Randy Nelson { Mar 20th 2009 at 3:30PM }

Considering all of the technology Sony managed to cram into PS3, the omission of an IR receiver -- something what was standard on PS2 -- still boggles our minds. It's also forced hardcore home theater junkies to invest in extra IR-to-Bluetooth hardware in order to control their consoles using a single remote. Engadget has stumbled upon an apparent answer to their prayers: a Bluetooth add-on from Logitech that will enable its Harmony remotes to work with PS3.

The E-R0001 "PlayStation 3 Harmony Adapter" turned up on the FCC's website, but has yet to be formally announced by Logitech. As such, there's no word on which Harmony remotes it will work with. We've contacted Logitech in hopes of finding that out -- along with other details -- and will update you when we hear back.

[Update: Logitech has updated its blog with more details on the device from global gaming product marketing manager, Troy Petersen. You can read his comment after the break.]

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Sony patent brings Wii-like interface to PS2

by Andrew Yoon { Mar 16th 2009 at 8:30PM }

Sony is looking into new ways of extending the PS2's life cycle far beyond the promised "ten years." A new patent discovered by the watchdogs at Siliconera points to a new gameplay system that has users waving a wand in front of a camera connected to the PS2.

Sounds very much like the Wii to us, but there are apparently other uses in the works. Another patent diagram shows ring controllers, worn around a person's fingers, that transmit light and data. This kind of experience may lead to even more freeform methods of play, as players will no longer have to grasp a controller.

Before you get too excited (or digusted), remember this: not all patents come to fruition as actual products. Sony filed another patent last year for a unique break-apart controller that has yet to turn up. To get a further glance into the potential future, check out Siliconera's full report.

Break-apart controller patent discovered

by Andrew Yoon { Oct 30th 2008 at 11:15AM }

Not too long ago, there were rumors of a new Wii-like PS3 controller that could break apart, depending on what kind of game it was being used on. Well, looks like those rumors have turned into a patent, recently filed by a Gary Zalewski from SCEA. The break-apart controller emits an ultrasonic beam of sound and light, which can be interpreted by the PlayStation Eye to track your movement. This would effectively emulate the Wii's motion sensing, without potentially infringing on any of Nintendo's copyrights.

Whether or not this device will come to fruition is unclear. Not all patents become real-world devices. This could be PS3 tech ... or maybe even PS4 tech.

[Via NeoGAF]

Rumor: Microsoft has Wii-mote copycat coming

by Terrence Stasse { Apr 7th 2008 at 8:00PM }

MTV News recently posted an interesting piece of gossip concerning Microsoft's possible answer to Wii-mote. According to an anonymous developer, Microsoft has had this project in the wings since summer 2007 and hopes to have it out before the end of the year. Believe it or not it's rumored that of all companies, Rare has been working on it. Rare is a games software company, so why they'd be tasked with making hardware is beyond us, but it would answer some lingering questions ...

Rare's The Fast and The Furriest for XBLA is going to use the Vision Cam, and the "X-mote" is rumored to use the Vision Cam. Rare is also hard at work on another 360 project that is as-of-yet unrevealed, and is supposed to hit before the year is out. Combined with the fact that Microsoft is already rumored to be working a motion-sensing controller, and the fact that they don't seem too concerned with with the second half of 2008 make us think that this could be plausible.

But does plausible mean desirable? Read on ...

[Via N4G]

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Nintendo to sell Wii Wheel separately in Japan

by Kyle Orland { Feb 27th 2008 at 5:00PM }

What's the only thing better than a plastic wheel attachment for your Wii remote? Plastic wheels for all your friends' remotes, of course! Unfortunately, each copy of Mario Kart Wii only comes with one of Nintendo's ~~revolutionary~~ ~~necessary~~ new Wii Wheels.

Japanese gamers shouldn't worry, though, as Famitsu (machine translation) reveals that Nintendo will be offering additional wheels for sales at the bargain price of 1200 yen (about $11). No word on whether Americans will get the same chance, but with the market for useless plastic attachments for the Wii remote being what it is, we imagine a similar deal will come stateside eventually.

[Via SiliconEra]

The uber compassionate One-handed Wiimote mod

by Griffin McElroy { Feb 19th 2008 at 10:30PM }

A wide majority of gamers don't have to worry about the logistics of actually interacting with their video games of choice -- the simplicity of picking up a controller and playing a game is the main draw of home consoles. However, gamers who suffer from certain physical handicaps are often not in the minds of console and controller designers, often excluding them with peripherals they may find difficult to use. Luckily, the Earth's got people like Ryan Culy.

Culy designed the pictured Wii Remote/Nunchuk hybrid with one of his friends, who had lost most of his left arm, in mind. By moving the C and Z buttons from the 'Chuk to the Wiimote, and by detaching the joystick and motion sensor so that they could be controlled by an elbow, the two peripherals can now be used with one arm. It's a very kind gesture from Culy -- one we hope will inspire future console and peripheral designers to keep gamers of all shapes and sizes in mind when they create their products.

First early footage of Samba de Amigo for Wii

by Kyle Orland { Feb 18th 2008 at 1:45PM }

Since it was revealed months ago, rhythm gamers have wondered what Samba de Amigo for the Wii would actually look like in action. Now that Dutch site SegaOnline has put up what's reportedly the first footage from an early build of the game, it turns out that the Wii version looks ... a lot like the Dreamcast version.

While the return of the game's signature aesthetic and gameplay is inspiring, the actual controls displayed on the video are much less so. The below footage shows the on-screen "maraca" location sensor jumping around like a Mexican bean as the player shakes it up. A rough translation of the site's report even goes so far as to say that "this version is not even equipped with good control." Here's hoping Gearbox can fix that, er, minor problem by the time the game sees eventual release.

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New Nyko adapter to unwire Wii wired Nunchuk

by Kyle Orland { Jan 29th 2008 at 5:00PM }

Gaming peripheral maker Nyko today announced an adapter that promises to cut the cord on your existing wired Wii Nunchuks (metaphorically, of course). Not to be confused with the standalone wireless Nunchuk Nyko announced last month, the new adapter will connect to an existing wired Nunchuk, allowing it to communicate with a Wii remote up to 15 feet away (handy for people with a 15-foot wingspan!).

Don't worry about the Nunchuk cord drooping limply across your leg either -- according to the release, the adapter comes with a "self-standing Nunchuk sleeve" that has "a convenient compact cord management system keeping the existing Nunchuk cord organized and out of site [sic]."

The adapter, including two required AAA batteries, will retail for $19.99, making it $10 less than Nyko's standalone wireless Nunchuk (though the whole package is $10 more when combined with a $20 wired Nunchuk). Wire-hating gamers who already own four Nunchuks might want to look for it in February.

Purchase a Universal Media Remote for $12

by Dustin Burg { Sep 10th 2007 at 4:00PM }

Today, Amazon.com's gaming Deal of the Day is the Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote and they're offering it for 40% off of retail. For only $11.99 you too can own a fancy new Xbox 360 remote to navigate those DVDs, change channels, turn the volume up (or down) and complete standard remote control functions all from the comfort of your couch. True, it is the same remote that is included in the 360 HD DVD player bundle and it doesn't have a button designated for shutting off your TV (how'd they forget that?), but it's still a nice peripheral to add to your ever growing remote control collection. Purchase away.

PSP earphones and remote get redesigned

by Andrew Yoon { Aug 22nd 2007 at 6:30PM }

The PSP is changing in ways we never expected. The earphone and remote accessory is changing for the new PSP-2000. As you can see, the remote now has a reconfigured button layout -- could it be more intuitive than the original? We're assuming that the PSP-2000 requires this new remote due to the changed AV-compatible headphone jack.

Check out another picture of the redesigned earphones after the cut.

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Deal of the Day: Nyko "Blu Wave" remote

by Andrew Yoon { Aug 19th 2007 at 10:40PM }

Want to use something other than the PS3 controller to control movies on your system? Well, you can pick up Nyko's "Blu Wave" remote for a shockingly low $10 from amazon.com. However, there's one crucial flaw that prevents it from being an all-around great deal: the lack of a power button. You can, as some have done, use the RF adapter to teach other universal remotes (such as the Harmony) to interface with the PS3. Or, you can go for Sony's more expensive, but more elegant solution for $25.

[Via CAG]

Homemade Zapper-mote

by Eric Caoili { Jun 25th 2007 at 2:00PM }

All the weapon shells in the world couldn't match the radness of this modded Light Gun. Having already given his console wings, AcidMods' CyberPyrot affixed an IR sensor from a Wii remote into the barrel of his gray, plastic pistol, wiring the gun's trigger with the controller's.

The resulting apparatus looks a bit clunky, especially when you consider that the nunchuck hasn't even been hooked up yet, but CyberPyrot claims that it vastly improved his performance when playing Far Cry. Pew pew past the post break for more photos and a video of the refitted Zapper.

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