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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NGP to be less ‘investment heavy,’ more ‘affordable’

After years of losses in its PS3 division, it’s no surprise that Sony’s not attempting a fiscal encore. Just the opposite, in fact. Massaru Kato, Sony’s Chief Financial Officer, stated recently that the upcoming NGP handheld won’t be as “investment heavy” as previous platforms. What does this mean? Sony probably won’t pour cash into developing new semiconductors just for its new handheld, and will instead opt to build NGP hardware with off-the-shelf and readily available components. This could translate to competitive pricing versus Nintendo’s 3DS (we hope), but it’s all quiet on the pricing front at Sony HQ. That’s liable to change at E3 next week, but regardless we’d rather not have to wait four years just to hear Yoshida’s good news again.

NGP to be less ‘investment heavy,’ more ‘affordable’ originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 May 2011 18:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Xperia Play finally lands at O2 UK, available in black or white

It took a while, but that O2-exclusive (for the UK) white Xperia Play is finally with us. Earlier this month, the UK carrier had promised to deliver the Play in June, but evidently things have gone better than expected, as we now see “in stock” signage next to both the black and white models of Sony Ericsson’s gaming phone. Pricing is identical for both color variants, starting at “free” when attached to expensive (£34 per month) two-year contracts and peaking at £430 ($702) on pre-pay deals. O2 also throws in a matching multimedia dock plus three bonus games to sweeten the deal. We’re guessing that Android 2.3.3 update that Sony Ericsson just rolled out for the Xperia Play might finally have allayed O2’s software concerns, which has allowed it to now start selling the device in earnest.

Xperia Play finally lands at O2 UK, available in black or white originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 May 2011 06:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony announces 160GB PlayStation 3 bundle with Call of Duty: Black Ops

If you still haven’t given in to your hankering for a PlayStation 3, you might want to check out this promotion Sony is teasing. The company just announced a limited edition PS3 bundle pairing Call of Duty: Black Ops with a 160GB console. For $299, Sony’s also throwing in the First Strike content pack — not too shabby, considering that’s the standard price for a bare console. Depending on your proclivities, that may or may not trump a complimentary RC toy or Michael Jackson singalong, but if you’ve got a taste for first-person shooters, it should be right up your alley. First-time buyers can find it next week, starting on May 31.

Sony announces 160GB PlayStation 3 bundle with Call of Duty: Black Ops originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 May 2011 16:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony to remaster select PSP titles for PlayStation 3, allow cross-device continuous gameplay

As much as you love your PSP, we suspect that its low graphics definition is starting to bug even the most devoted fans. Sure, you can wait for the almighty NGP, but for the time being, Sony’s offering the next best thing for you game connoisseurs: the PSP Remaster series for PlayStation 3. As the name says for itself, Sony will be porting select portable game titles to the PS3 in high-def Blu-ray flavor, and some may even come with new add-on content plus stereoscopic 3D support. But that’s not all: gamers will also be able to share game save data between the two platforms, meaning you can pick up where you left off on your preferred device. Pretty neat, though it’ll be interesting to see how much Sony and the studios wants to charge for what are essentially the same games you already own. The first PSP Remaster title announced is Monster Hunter Portable 3rd, but this is only heading to Japan at an unknown date — gamers in other countries will just have to keep squinting at the PSP for now.

Continue reading Sony to remaster select PSP titles for PlayStation 3, allow cross-device continuous gameplay

Sony to remaster select PSP titles for PlayStation 3, allow cross-device continuous gameplay originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 May 2011 04:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyperkin’s PS3 Remotext weds Blu-ray remote with keypad controller, DualShock 3 frets

With the PSN finally back up, it’s time for important things — you know, messaging your buds for a Black Ops pwning spree or hitting up Netflix. Hyperkin’s Remotext for PS3 wants to help you get back into action with its hybrid remote / controller / chatpad. It features a slide-out Blu-ray remote panel, QWERTY keypad — better positioned than SONY’s offering — and two analog nubs with a near-complete set of gaming controls. There’s no sign of rear triggers, and Bluetooth connectivity is absent too, but it does come with a wireless USB receiver and rechargeable battery so you’re not left scrounging between the couch cushions for AAs. Although we’re doubtful it’ll prove functional for gaming, it could be appropriate for PS3s that spend more time sitting at the movies than getting their Move on. The DualShock 3 shouldn’t have much to worry about, but we’ll find out at E3, when the Remotext will be officially showcased. There’s no word on pricing or availability yet, but if you’re dying for more in the meantime, a press release is beyond the break.

Continue reading Hyperkin’s PS3 Remotext weds Blu-ray remote with keypad controller, DualShock 3 frets

Hyperkin’s PS3 Remotext weds Blu-ray remote with keypad controller, DualShock 3 frets originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 22 May 2011 10:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony reportedly tells developers PlayStation Store will return May 24th

We wouldn’t recommend setting aside time to enjoy your “Welcome Back” package just yet, but it looks like we now have our first solid indication of when the PlayStation Store will finally return to PlayStation 3 and PSP users. According to a memo reportedly sent by Sony to its publishing partners and obtained by Gamasutra, the store is set to return on Tuesday, May 24th — assuming there aren’t any more unforeseen hiccups, that is. That will also, of course, bring with it a backlog of new games and other content that should have been released by now, although those will apparently be released in stages over the following weeks, rather than all at once.

Sony reportedly tells developers PlayStation Store will return May 24th originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 May 2011 11:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Ericsson’s PlayStation Phone Coming to Verizon This Month

The Xperia Play, also known as the PlayStation phone, will be available for pre-order starting Thursday. Photo: Charlie Sorrel

If you’ve been itching to get your twitchy thumbs on the Xperia Play, Sony Ericsson’s much-anticipated PlayStation phone, you don’t have to wait much longer.

The PlayStation phone will be available through Verizon Wireless starting May 26th, but you can pre-order it starting Thursday. It’ll be available for $200 with a two-year contract.

PlayStation phone rumors first began way back in 2008, but didn’t start gaining traction until last fall, when detailed specs and leaked images cropped up. Gadget Lab got a chance to get our hands on the Xperia Play when it was officially announced at Mobile World Congress in February.

The Xperia Play will come stocked with seven free game titles: Asphalt 6: Adrenaline, The Sims 3, Madden NFL 11, Crash Bandicoot, Bruce Lee Dragon Warrior, Star Battalion, and Tetris. Verizon’s mobile app store will have 50 other games available for download when the phone launches.

Sony Ericsson’s PlayStation phone will run Android 2.3 on a 1GHz Qualcomm processor and will feature a front facing camera and a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera. Underneath the 4-inch capacitive touchscreen is a slide-out gaming pad with PlayStation keys, a touch joystick, and a D-pad.

Sony Ericsson’s PlayStation Phone Ready to Hit Verizon [All Things D]


Sony Ericsson Xperia Play hits Verizon for $200 on-contract, in stores May 26th

It may not have been the first in the world to get it, but Verizon can now at least claim to be the first US carrier to offer the long fabled, oft-leaked PlayStation Phone, otherwise known as the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play. It will be available for pre-order on the carrier’s website starting May 19th, and be available in stores on May 26th for the usual $199.99 on a two-year contract. That, of course, gets you the first PlayStation Certified handset with console-style controls — a real D-pad and PlayStation face and shoulder buttons, plus a pair of miniature touchpads for dual-analog gameplay on the go. You’ll also get seven games pre-loaded on the device (including Madden NFL 11 and The Sims 3) but, as we saw in our recent hands-on with the Verizon version of the phone, you won’t get Sony Ericsson’s custom skin — the carrier has instead opted for a mostly stock UI with only some SE wallpapers and widgets. As Verizon also notes, those opting for the phone will have to sign up for both a Nationwide Talk plan and a smartphone data package as well, the former of which start at $39.99 a month, while an unlimited data plan will run you $29.99. Head on past the break for the full press release.

Continue reading Sony Ericsson Xperia Play hits Verizon for $200 on-contract, in stores May 26th

Sony Ericsson Xperia Play hits Verizon for $200 on-contract, in stores May 26th originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 May 2011 10:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Ericsson Xperia Play hits Verizon for $200 on-contract

It may not have been the first in the world to get it, but Verizon can now at least claim to be the first US carrier to offer the long fabled, oft-leaked PlayStation Phone, otherwise known as the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play. It will be available for pre-order on the carrier’s website starting May 19th, and be available in stores on May 26th for the usual $199.99 on a two-year contract. That, of course, gets you the first PlayStation Certified handset with console-style controls — a real D-pad and PlayStation face and shoulder buttons, plus a pair of miniature touchpads for dual-analog gameplay on the go. You’ll also get six games pre-loaded on the device (including Madden NFL 11 and The Sims 3) but, as we saw in our recent hands-on with the Verizon version of the phone, you won’t get Sony Ericsson’s custom skin — the carrier has instead opted for a mostly stock UI with only some SE wallpapers and widgets. As Verizon also notes, those opting for the phone will have to sign up for both a Nationwide Talk plan and a smartphone data package as well, the former of which start at $39.99 a month, while an unlimited data plan will run you $29.99. Head on past the break for the full press release.

Continue reading Sony Ericsson Xperia Play hits Verizon for $200 on-contract

Sony Ericsson Xperia Play hits Verizon for $200 on-contract originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 May 2011 10:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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