Hasta La Gadget!

Microsoft may have axed its Flight Simulator franchise a little while back, but it appears that there are still enough virtual pilots out there to keep Mad Catz abuzz with making new apparatus. In fact, the notoriously expensive Saitek Pro Flight range will be seeing an addition of three new products in October. First we have the self-explanatory Backlit Information Panel, which could probably double as a pricey mood light if you have $149.00 / £129.99 / €149.99 to spare. Next up is the identically-priced Throttle, Pitch and Mixture System box that’s supposed to replicate the controls found on the Cessna, Piper and Money Bravo light aircrafts. If these two modules fail to drain your piggy bank, you could always fork out another $199.99 / £179.99 / €199.99 for the F16 / F35-inspired, die-cast alloy Combat Rudder Pedals. Bundle these with the other Saitek hardware and you might get close to having the full cockpit.

Continue reading Saitek keeps flight simulation alive with new gear, no word on robot air hostesses

Saitek keeps flight simulation alive with new gear, no word on robot air hostesses originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 08:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wireless gamepads are more convenient, but for latency, copper trumps 2.4GHz. What to do? Build hybrid controllers that can instantly cut the cord. It seems that’s what Microsoft’s thinking, as the company applied for a patent on just such a controller in March, using infrared, Bluetooth or RF technologies alongside a wired (possibly USB) connection and switch between the two “without permanent disruption to an ongoing game.” Of course, dual-mode controllers have been around for months in a slightly different form — Microsoft’s own Sidewinder X8 and the Razer Mamba did the same for the high-end gaming mouse. It also doesn’t bode well that this particular application clearly describes the original chunky Xbox.

Note: As some of you have surmised in comments, this is similar to how the PlayStation 3’s controllers work, though they hardly perform the task seamlessly. Meanwhile, Microsoft’s Xbox 360 Play & Charge kit doesn’t interrupt a game, but only uses the physical cable to charge a controller’s battery pack.

Microsoft patent application cuts controller cords, sews them back together originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 20:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We know you’ve been waiting on pins and needles, and at long last, the gap between announcement and “now shipping” has been closed. IK Multimedia has just revealed that its AmpliTube iRig adapter is shipping, enabling iPod touch, iPad and iPhone users to jack their guitar or bass directly into their iDevice and access all sorts of effects. From there, users can pipe the audio to a pair of headphones or a guitar amp, theoretically allowing your handheld to supplant your mess of pedals. We’re also told that the iRig can be used with line level signal sources such as synthesizers, keyboards or mixing consoles, so there’s that. It’s available as we speak for $39.99 (or €29.99 overseas), and users can expect an iPad-specific version of the AmpliTube app to be released in the near future.

Continue reading IK Multimedia ships AmpliTube iRig iPhone interface adapter

IK Multimedia ships AmpliTube iRig iPhone interface adapter originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Jul 2010 09:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Japan tends to be on the weird side of any coin, and The Fingerist does nothing to undermine that reputation. This accessory for the iPhone and iPod touch was conceived at a “mutton BBQ restaurant” when one dude said to another that he needed an amp for his guitar app. Lo and behold, after an apparently successful CES appearance, the axe-imitating speaker thingie — replete with a guitar strap and line-out to jack into real amplifiers — is now on sale for ¥14,800 (or $150 for the rest of us). We can’t wrap our minds around such an expense just for the privilege of fingering our touchscreens, but then you can make some pretty sweet music using these things (video evidence after the break).

Continue reading The Fingerist finds fame, retail opportunities in Japan (video)

The Fingerist finds fame, retail opportunities in Japan (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 09:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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With a name like “PS3 MMO Controller” there’s probably not much more that you need to know about this monstrous creation from Hori. It isn’t exactly Final Fantasy themed, but seems to be targeted for those who will be chocobo breeding in XIV. Its main component is, of course, the big white keyboard, but there’s also that extension on the left side, replicating the left portion of a Dual Shock and looking like something found on a Battlestar Galactica set (the original, natch). On the right side of the keyboard lies the other analog stick and full complement of buttons. We’re thinking we’d rather tackle the denizens of hell for real than attempt God of War 3 with this thing, but for the massive crowd it should do quite well — whenever it actually ships. Hori didn’t have a price in mine just yet either.

Hori’s PS3 MMO Controller is large and in charge originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 19 Jun 2010 12:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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