Hasta La Gadget!

It wouldn’t take a genius to figure out that Native Instruments was going to release some hardware to cozy up to that shiny new iOS version of Traktor DJ. And here it is — the Kontrol Z1 — a two-channel mixer with a built-in audio interface specifically for iPad and iPhone. Plug this into your iDevice, and Traktor DJ gets full pre-cue functionality, plus some proper (club-level, 24-bit) audio output, not to mention dedicated faders and 3-band EQ controls. The hardware (which is similar in size to the Kontrol F1) means you can break out the mixer section, leaving the touchscreen display dedicated to transport and performance. The Z1 will keep your iDevice charged up, too (it needs to be plugged in), so you’re good for that epic Balearic chill-out set. Likewise, it also works with Traktor Pro 2, if you’re looking to integrate something a little smaller into your laptop setup. It’ll need a lightning adapter to work with the latest devices, and costs $199 / €199 from your favorite DJ outlet. The app won’t support the hardware until a June 24th update, but in the meantime, roll past the break for the demo video.

Filed under: Cellphones, Peripherals, Tablets

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Source: Native Instruments

Sony just wrapped its E3 press event, delighting attendees and future console buyers with showstopping news: a $399 retail price and lack of used game restrictions on the PlayStation 4. Now, with all those important bits behind us, it’s time to once again focus on the hardware, specifically the PS4 controller. We got our grips on the controller immediately following Sony’s E3 2013 presser — our first chance to check out the new DualShock — and it feels great!

We’re glad to say that the thumbsticks have dramatically improved and no longer allow your thumbs to easily slip out. The triggers are also much improved, with a little lip enabling a comfortable cradle. The front face buttons are nigh identical with the DualShock 3, as is the d-pad (despite a slight visual alteration) — the biggest difference is the new touchpad. It’s clicky and feels like a surprisingly nice addition to the DualShock. It’s easily clickable from the standard two hand position on a controller, though the share and options buttons are a bit out of reach (at least for our small hands). We’ll have a closer look at the DualShock 4 this week from E3 and some impressions of it with actual games, so stay tuned for more from E3 2013!

Update: We’ve got our hands-on video embedded after the break, so head on down to check it out.

Zach Honig and Ben Gilbert contributed to this report.

Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals, HD, Sony

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In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you’d like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with “Insert Coin” as the subject line.

The problem with capturing panoramic stills with your phone is that you need to keep a steady motion when panning around, but we all know that only a robot can perform such feat perfectly. That’s why this little BubblePod caught our attention. The device is essentially a mini clockwork turntable so no battery is required — just wind it up, slip an iOS, Android or BB10 device into the silicone grip, fire up the BubblePix app and hit the BubblePod’s release button for a steady 40-second rewind.

The sample panoramic shots (or “bubbles”) we saw have almost no visible stitching, and the app can simultaneously record an audio clip to capture the atmosphere as well. Better yet, in addition to its rubberized base, the BubblePod is also built with a universal tripod mount plus a wine bottle insert mount!

This Kickstarter project will offer a unit if you pledge a minimum of £15 (about $23) for the limited early bird offer or £20 (about $31) later on, plus £5 (about $8) to ship outside the UK. Do check out the demo video after the break, and feel free to grab yourself a BubblePod before funding ends on July 9th.

Filed under: Peripherals, Mobile

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Source: Kickstarter

E3 2013 is nearly upon us, and this year’s press briefing lineup is an eensy bit different from past years — most notably, there are four stage presentations on Monday alone, and Nintendo’s sitting this year out. Rather than spreading out the gaming news cavalcade across one and a half days, 2013’s press briefings are all Monday (excepting Nintendo’s live video broadcast on Tuesday morning, of course, which we’ll have available ahead of its 10AM EDT kickoff on Wednesday morning).

The full list for tomorrow’s proceedings follows, including timestamps and links for you to set your alarm clocks and clicking fingers by (respectively):

• 12:30PM to 2:00PM EDT: Microsoft Xbox briefing liveblog
• 4:00PM to 5:00PM EDT: Electronic Arts briefing liveblog
• 6:00PM to 7:00PM EDT: Ubisoft briefing liveblog
• 9:00PM to 12:00AM EDT: Sony PlayStation briefing liveblog

[Image credit: ‘halo666‘]

Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals, Software, HD, Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo

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Listen, you probably shouldn’t be here. The iPad is a pure and carefully honed machine. If its designers wanted you to use some kind of ludicrous hybrid contraption that fused a tablet with a physical keyboard and doubled the weight, they’d have built one for you. But they didn’t. So go away and don’t come back until you’ve saved enough money to buy a MacBook Air. (Still here? Good, because we’re about to compare three of the latest iPad keyboard cases: the ClamCase Pro, Logitech’s Folio and Belkin’s Ultimate Keyboard, designed to fit 2nd, 3rd and 4th-gen tablets. Read on for more.)

Filed under: Peripherals, Tablets

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