Japan scores official Bluetooth PS3 keyboard for ¥5,000

Official PS3 Keyboard

Yesterday, Sony took the wraps off a PlayStation-branded 3D TV and gave us our first serious look at the Vita, but our friends across that big wet thing we call the Pacific scored an extra little hardware goody — an official PS3 keyboard. If you’ve ever seen a Bluetooth keyboard there isn’t much surprising here, though it does feature a PS button for powering the console on and off. Instead of a touchpad Sony went with a Thinkpad-style nub which will be loved by some, but loathed by others. And don’t worry, pairing this thin one-pounder with other devices should be quite simple. Folks in the Land of the Rising Sun can pick one up on June 30th for ¥5,000 (about $62), but there’s no word on a stateside release. Treat yourself to the machine translated PR and another pic after the break.

Continue reading Japan scores official Bluetooth PS3 keyboard for ¥5,000

Japan scores official Bluetooth PS3 keyboard for ¥5,000 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 17:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony introduces PlayStation-brand 3D monitor and 3D glasses, bundle available for $499

Jack Tretton just announced PS3 gamers can get into the 3D game for much less this fall when the company launches a 24-inch monitor and active shutter LCD glasses under the PlayStation brand. $499 gets the monitor, a pair of glasses, an HDMI cable and a copy of Resistance, while additional pairs of glasses — which are compatible with TVs from other manufacturers and can be used to give two split-screen gamers their own full screen view — are $69. That’s a competitive package to be sure, but many will likely still need to be convinced slipping on the specs is worthwhile, and competitors like Vizio are slipping passive 3D glasses TVs in with similar price points and similar features.

Update: Sony has issued a press release (included after the break) with full specs: it’s a 1080p edge LED lit LCD with two HDMI inputs, stereo speakers, an integrated subwoofer and claims to be the first display at this size with “quad speed frame sequential display technology”. The glasses charge via USB and will be available at the same time as the screen this fall.

Continue reading Sony introduces PlayStation-brand 3D monitor and 3D glasses, bundle available for $499

Sony introduces PlayStation-brand 3D monitor and 3D glasses, bundle available for $499 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 20:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony’s PS3 claims the lead in Netflix streaming, adds VOD from Best Buy’s CinemaNow

Sony planned the PlayStation 3 from the start as a movie playing powerhouse, but it may not have predicted so many would end up using it for Netflix streaming. CEO Jack Tretton just hit the stage at the company’s E3 keynote to announce it is the leading Netflix streamer, accounting for 30% of the video watched on the service. While this is somewhat surprising maybe it shouldn’t be — consoles far outpace other TV connected streamers in install base, and between the Xbox 360, Wii, and Sony’s box, the PS3 is the only one that lets you watch without an additional subscription and in HD. Also announced is a new partnership bringing video on-demand movies from the Best Buy-owned CinemaNow service. With any luck, the retail giant will add a subscription element or partner with Redbox and make this interesting, but until then it’s just another footnote on the list of providers currently offered on the PS3.

Continue reading Sony’s PS3 claims the lead in Netflix streaming, adds VOD from Best Buy’s CinemaNow

Sony’s PS3 claims the lead in Netflix streaming, adds VOD from Best Buy’s CinemaNow originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 20:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Live from Sony’s E3 2011 keynote!

The world hasn’t been kind to Sony as of late, but today is Sony’s day to shine — we’re reporting live from E3 2011 this evening, where the company is about to show off its latest toys. There’s little doubt we’ll hear about that fancy new Next Generation Portable, but what might it be called? And might there be a pair of PlayStation-certified tablets alongside the monster handheld? How about a library full of PSOne titles to make the Xperia Play relevant, or a price drop for Sony’s venerable PlayStation 3 console? Find out for yourself right here, in this very post, when our live coverage kicks off at the times below.

2:00PM – Hawaii
5:00PM – Pacific
6:00PM – Mountain
7:00PM – Central
8:00PM – Eastern
1:00AM – London (June 7th)
2:00AM – Paris (June 7th)
4:00AM – Moscow (June 7th)
9:00AM – Tokyo (June 7th)

Continue reading Live from Sony’s E3 2011 keynote!

Live from Sony’s E3 2011 keynote! originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 19:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Batarang controllers to be thrown at E3, come back in October

Batarang controllers to be thrown at E3, come back in October

If multiple batmobiles, a bat-usb stick, and a bat-puter aren’t enough to convince you Bruce Wayne is a vain egomaniac, maybe these Batman: Arkham City batarang controllers will give you pause. In traditional bat-gadget fashion, these Xbox 360 and Ps3 controllers boast a cheesy bat-aesthetic (such as bat-start and select / back buttons), dual rumble motors, comfort-soft grips, and seven switchable splashes of LED color. Although physically the two controllers are pretty similar, Ol’ Bats seems to favor the PlayStation 3, giving its controller not only the popular Xbox 360 button / analog layout, but an internal battery, detachable charging cable, and batman-themed USB RF receiver, to boot. The Xbox variant? A dated, wired affair — but hey, at least it’s got that Xbox guide button, right? The controllers will be on display next week at E3, courtesy of Power-A, and will hit store shelves when Batman: Arkham City ships in October, leaving you little excuse not to be geared up and ready when the bat-phone rings. Hit the break for the official press release… or, you know, have Robin do it for you.

Continue reading Batarang controllers to be thrown at E3, come back in October

Batarang controllers to be thrown at E3, come back in October originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 04 Jun 2011 21:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eee Pad Transformer caught playing nice with PS3 controller (update: hands-on video)

Earlier this week the Eee Pad Transformer scored itself a sweet upgrade in the form of Android 3.1, and with it came USB host support. When we did our hands-on with the Honeycomb update we couldn’t demo the feature because, well, the Xoom doesn’t have any USB ports. But that Transformer keyboard dock has a pair of 2.0 jacks and someone was kind enough to post a YouTube vid of a PS3 controller and the ASUS tablet getting their game on. Theoretically, this should work with any USB gamepad, including those for the Xbox 360. The only drawback? You’ve got to be wired in — no Bluetooth support here. Follow the break to see it in action and satisfy your Android-loving curiosity.

[Thanks, Ben]

Update: We managed to have a quick go on the same setup at Computex, and the tethered PS3 controller worked perfectly. Unsurprisingly though, we had no luck with the Bluetooth connection. Quick hands-on video after the break.

Continue reading Eee Pad Transformer caught playing nice with PS3 controller (update: hands-on video)

Eee Pad Transformer caught playing nice with PS3 controller (update: hands-on video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 04 Jun 2011 15:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Turtle Beach announces PX3 and Z6A gaming headsets, set to debut at E3

Turtle Beach impressed the pants off of us last month with its Ear Force PX5 headset, which is why our mouths began watering when we found out that the company has two new gaming products on the way — the Ear Force PX3 and Z6A. Much like the PX5, the wireless PX3 (pictured above) boasts 18 interchangeable audio settings and supports additional presets that users can download directly from Turtle Beach. Though it was designed with PS3 users in mind, the PX3 can also run on an Xbox 360 and is the first Turtle Beach headset to feature a rechargeable, ten-hour battery.

The PC and Xbox-friendly, surround sound Z6A, meanwhile, rocks eight amplified speakers (including two subwoofers) and is juiced by a 5.1 channel amp that promises to bathe your head with booming bass. The USB-powered device may leave you tethered to your console, but at least it will house your ears in an oversized mesh cushion, which may make those late-night gaming marathons a little more bearable. The PX3 will retail for about $150, with the Z6A set at around $100, and both headsets will be on display at E3 next week in Los Angeles, so we’ll be sure to give you our feedback once we get our paws on them. For now, you can sate your appetite with the full PR and an image of the Z6A — both of which are waiting for you after the break.

Updated: The Z6A is designed for both PC and Xbox platforms.

Continue reading Turtle Beach announces PX3 and Z6A gaming headsets, set to debut at E3

Turtle Beach announces PX3 and Z6A gaming headsets, set to debut at E3 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Memorex intros Nintendo DS game-changing case, other not-so-game-changing accessories

The Nintendo DS line has had many redesigns up to the present 3DS, but one thing that hasn’t changed are the tiny, easily lost cartridges. Enter Memorex’s $20 Universal Game Selector Case, announced as part of its gaming accessory lineup for E3. The UGSC stores up to three games and hooks up to the cartridge port on any DS, letting you swap between them using a signal routing switch. We’ve seen cases similar to this in the past, but Memorex’s take is the first to support 3DS titles as well. Based on the renders, the unit looks to make for a weird fit and some noticeable extra thickness (10.5mm to be exact), especially on the DSi XL, but hopefully we’ll get a better idea of how it feels in hand at E3. From a functionality perspective, the case does seem rather useful for those with forgetful tendencies, if a bit underwhelming for anybody else. Memorex will also be displaying its new third-party PS3 and Wii motion controllers at the E3, which are viewable in the gallery below, and there’s a press release with details after the break.

Continue reading Memorex intros Nintendo DS game-changing case, other not-so-game-changing accessories

Memorex intros Nintendo DS game-changing case, other not-so-game-changing accessories originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony unveils Japan-only 160GB PlayStation 3 bundle with Tales of Xillia

In the market for a new PS3 but find the portable version a little out of your price / taste range? Then you might consider Sony‘s just-announced Tales of Xillia X Edition, which bundles everyone’s favorite RPG of unwavering convictions with a 160GB limited-edition console. The rig comes in the standard charcoal black, adorned with metallic red and gold artwork featuring characters from the series. It will also be Japanese-only for now, though Tales die-hards can always have it exported, if you’re willing to go above and beyond the MSRP of ¥37,980 ($470). The set goes on sale September 8, giving you plenty of time to consider trading up your Michael Jackson This is It pack.

Sony unveils Japan-only 160GB PlayStation 3 bundle with Tales of Xillia originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 May 2011 00:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CNC mill and Sixaxis controller make beautiful DIY music together (video)

CNC controlled by Sixaxis

Have you ever thought to yourself, “my CNC mill is pretty cool, but I really want to make it more awesomer”? Well, first, “awesomer” totally isn’t word, and second, have we got a hack for you! A reader wrote in to the DIY hub Adafruit to show off his CNC being operated by a PS3 Sixaxis controller — mimicking features found on high-end machines that allow you to trigger jobs from a distance and manually control the mill. Best of all, it’s a pretty simple mod that uses a program called QtsixA to map the gamepad as a keyboard and mouse, allowing you to interact with a Linux box running EMC2, which is used for controlling the mill, lathe, plasma torch, or a number of other fun and dangerous tools. Check out the video after the break.

Continue reading CNC mill and Sixaxis controller make beautiful DIY music together (video)

CNC mill and Sixaxis controller make beautiful DIY music together (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 May 2011 21:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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