ForceTek XIO: the gaming controller that hurts you, not the TV (video)

Forget the Wiimote, PlayStation Move and Kinect; here’s a controller that actually makes you feel the games. At E3 earlier this week, startup firm ForceTek was seen demoing its XIO Virtual Gaming System — a rather fancy name for a force-feedback arm exoskeleton that “provides a controlled resistance” to your arm and wrist movement. The rig sure looks like a great addition for action games — imagine feeling a virtual basketball bouncing, or your virtual machine gun recoiling, or even the reaction force from a virtual punch. Want it now? Try next year, when the XIO will apparently ship at a “competitive” price comparable to that of a guitar for Guitar Hero. See the controller in action after the break, and try not to wince.

Continue reading ForceTek XIO: the gaming controller that hurts you, not the TV (video)

ForceTek XIO: the gaming controller that hurts you, not the TV (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 21:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink DVICE  |  sourceSeriouslyE3 (YouTube), Awesome Game Blog  | Email this | Comments

Razer Starcraft II and Xbox 360 peripherals hands-on

Razer Starcraft II and Xbox 360 peripherals hands-on

Razer‘s meteoric rise from second-tier mouse maker to top-shelf peripheral guru has been nothing short of incredible, and its success has enabled it to start to focus a little more on the niche groups. Such is its latest addition: a keyboard, mouse, and headset designed just for RTS gamers, and specifically for Starcraft II. We spent some time sampling their APM-enhancing abilities, and checked out the latest revision of the company’s upcoming Xbox 360 Onza controller too. It’s all after the break.

Continue reading Razer Starcraft II and Xbox 360 peripherals hands-on

Razer Starcraft II and Xbox 360 peripherals hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 09:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rock Band 3 purportedly gaining keytar peripheral, infinite amounts of our love

Look, we’ve no qualms with keyboards — Elton John is permanently embedded in our playlists, it’ll be the first instrument we teach our robotic children, and it’s easily the most underrated part of Justin Bieber’s spectacularness. But there’s no arguing that having a keytar peripheral is far, far more awesome in the grand scheme of things. According to the same mole on ArsTechnica that has correctly nailed a new PS3 bundle, the PSP go and Xbox 360 price cuts, Rock Band 3 will feature a new keytar peripheral, which will undoubtedly destroy our productivity for an indefinite amount of time. We’re also told that Mad Catz will be taking over the production of RB hardware, leaving Harmonix only responsible for touching up the software. There’s still no indication of when this mythical device will be hitting your local Game Stop, but it’s certainly safe to slide your pre-order alert system to Orange.

Rock Band 3 purportedly gaining keytar peripheral, infinite amounts of our love originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 May 2010 15:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wii Rowing Machine aims to sculpt abs, achieves belly laughs (video)

CTA strikes again! The company known for its unorthodox (and rather silly) game controllers is back with a plastic drawbar / foot pedal combo that is supposed to be “very similar to a rowing machine you would find at the gym,” although we highly doubt it. Designed for games like Wii Sports Resort and Jillian Michaels’ Angry Sports Resort, this is something that would probably only enter your home as an ill-considered Christmas gift before gathering dust in the back of a closet, alongside your Bowling Ball and Football controllers. But we must admit, even if the company’s products are dubious, its infomercials are an endless source of entertainment. See for yourself after the break. As for the rowing machine, it’s up for pre-order now at Amazon, as if you care.

Continue reading Wii Rowing Machine aims to sculpt abs, achieves belly laughs (video)

Wii Rowing Machine aims to sculpt abs, achieves belly laughs (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 May 2010 13:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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IntensaFIRE click-on mod bringing programmable / rapid fire modes to PS3 controller

Xbox 360 gamers may have had a solid year head start, but PlayStation 3 loyalists will soon be able to join the programmable / rapid fire party, too. BGRMods has announced that its much-hyped IntensaFIRE controller mod is finally coming to Sony’s latest console, bringing with it fewer installation steps and an equal amount of tinkering possibilities. This new board requires no glue and no solder; users simply “click” it into place and enjoy the spoils of having rapid-fire potential at their fingertips. Purportedly, the mod is useful in “all PlayStation games,” and it’ll begin shipping out on May 21st for those who just can’t game without a macro. We’re told that the $69.95 device will also be making its public debut at E3, so you can bet your bottom dollar we’ll be hitting the show floor in hopes of snagging a bit of hands-on time come June.

[Thanks, Kristofer B]

IntensaFIRE click-on mod bringing programmable / rapid fire modes to PS3 controller originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 16 May 2010 22:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wii Controller Demo gets active, Android and Wiimote handle Donkey Kong on video

We knew the Wii Controller Demo app (now known as “Wii Controller IME”) was close to being able to interact with Android in a meaningful way, but we certainly didn’t expect to see Average Joes playing Donkey Kong on their Nexus One devices this soon. Not that we’re kvetching or anything — and in fact, we’d argue that this landed at a perfect time for you hard-workin’ Android owners to give this all a spin over the weekend. Jump on past the break for a look at the setup procedure as well as bona fide proof that a Wiimote and Android can indeed work together for the greater good. Mind those coconuts, though.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Update: Whoa, we just spotted that this app is actually pikipirs’ completely free Wiimote Controller app (available now to download in alpha), which just so happened to surface at about the same time as Ryan Frawley’s Will Controller IME (also available now). The more the merrier, right?

Continue reading Wii Controller Demo gets active, Android and Wiimote handle Donkey Kong on video

Wii Controller Demo gets active, Android and Wiimote handle Donkey Kong on video originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 09 May 2010 01:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AmpliTube iRig brings axe slingers closer to their iPhone, creative side (video)

Oh sure, we’ve seen something similar from PRS, but the reviews on the Guitarbud were — how do you say? — less than stellar. For those looking high and low for a decent alternative, IK Multimedia has outed the equally seductive AmpliTube iRig, a software / hardware tandem that enables axe slingers to jack their guitar or bass into an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch and tweak their sound with a variety of amps and effects (up to 10 stomps, 5 amps, 5 cabinets and 2 microphones). The dongle also has a headphone jack for keeping your wailing to yourself (read: it’s mom and neighbor approved), and if you’re sporting a jailbroken device, you could also record your newest masterpiece while this hums along in the background. It’s a beautiful thought, no? It’s up for pre-order right now at $39.99, and you can peek a video of the solution in action just after the break.

Continue reading AmpliTube iRig brings axe slingers closer to their iPhone, creative side (video)

AmpliTube iRig brings axe slingers closer to their iPhone, creative side (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 May 2010 21:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wii Controller Demo brings your Wiimote and Android phone 2gether, 4ever

Ryan Frawley still has a fair bit of work ahead of him, but his Wii Controller Demo app for Android sure holds an awful lot of promise. Available now for no charge (though a $1 paid version is available for those who dig his work), this here software allows Android users to create a Bluetooth link between their Wii remote and handset, and then log input information on the mobile’s display. As of now, there’s not a whole lot of value outside of Wiimote troubleshooting, but it’s a few lines of code away from being able to act as a controller for gaming. Just think — a Wiimote, your Android phone, an emulator, an HDMI output and four other nerds surrounding your television. Needless to say, we’ll be keeping a close eye out for updates coming to this one.

[Thanks, Jonathan]

Wii Controller Demo brings your Wiimote and Android phone 2gether, 4ever originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 May 2010 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Nintendo Life  |  sourceAndroLib  | Email this | Comments

Nintendo ships Wii Classic Controller Pro to sweaty-palmed Americans

Nothing like coming through on a promise, right? You bet. If you’ll recall, the Big N assured us all back in January that the jumbo-sized Wii Classic Controller Pro would begin shipping to America in April, and sure enough, that’s exactly what it has done. After giving the Japanese a few months head-start, both the white and black accessories are now shipping from none other than Amazon for the tidy sum of $19.99 apiece. And yes, gift wrapping is available for a nominal fee.

Nintendo ships Wii Classic Controller Pro to sweaty-palmed Americans originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Apr 2010 12:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crazed turntablists transform sneakers into sound controllers, righteous beats result (video)

We’re generally quite wary of any video meant to “go viral” and “sell a lot of shoes” (or sell a lot of whatever), but from time to time something comes along and cracks our jaded shell. Case in point: the new Japanese campaign for Nike’s Free Run+ running shoes sees experimental musician / DJ Daito Manabe and co. bangin’ out a tune with the company’s newest. The kicks are outfitted with flex sensors (which change resistance when bent), allowing some impressive control of effects via Max/MSP and Ableton Max for Live. Have you ever wanted to hear a hip-hop version of Thus Spoke Zarathustra? How about one performed on running shoes? You’re in luck — we got it for you after the break.

Continue reading Crazed turntablists transform sneakers into sound controllers, righteous beats result (video)

Crazed turntablists transform sneakers into sound controllers, righteous beats result (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 15:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceCreate Digital Music  | Email this | Comments