Compal gaming 2-in-1 laptop concept has controls hidden on its back

Handheld gaming PCs are becoming a bit more popular these days, especially with major brands getting in on the game, pun intended. But while these small computers seem impressive for packing that much power inside, their designs make them less useful for anything else unless you connect an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Not only do gaming laptops offer more power, they can also be used for other purposes. Conversely, you need to connect a game controller and put the laptop down on a table, which loses the appeal of being able to play anytime, anywhere. Compal has an idea that attempts to bridge the best of both worlds, though its 2-in-1 gaming laptop design does raise just as many questions as it answers.

Designer: Compal

2-in-1 laptops and tablets that have touchscreens do offer a compromise when it comes to gaming with a controller. Just like with smartphones, it’s theoretically possible to put virtual joysticks and buttons, but those are actually awkward and more cumbersome to use on such a large screen. And just like on smartphones, it also means covering up part of the screen with their thumbs, and most PC games don’t take that into account.

The Compal Rover Play concept solves that by putting the controls on the back of the tablet half of the 2-in-1 laptop, almost like those paddles on the back of modern controllers. These aren’t simple buttons, though, as they would make the laptop look rather odd and unusable when not used to play games. Instead, there are panels on the back of the laptop that slide and fold slightly outward, creating an angled structure that’s like grips on a controller.

These FlexiRear Controllers have ultrasonic sensors that don’t use physical buttons to register presses and gestures. The idea is that instead of using the touchscreen on the front, you use those sensors on the back to control the game. The concept doesn’t exactly explain how those gestures would map to standard controller input, but it’s not difficult to imagine some specialized software making that conversion.

The biggest hurdle for this rather intriguing design is how such controls would feel alien to gamers. Not only would it require a considerable amount of learning effort, switching between this non-standard input method and a conventional controller could also prove to be confusing. Still, Rover Play is an interesting design that aims to bring the best of both worlds, but it’s still a little bit raw for any PC maker to implement in an actual product.

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World’s smallest smartphone turns into a gaming handheld with this case

Gaming smartphones are quite the novelty in the mobile world, but despite their advertised or actual gaming chops, they often lack the necessary controls that would put them on par with consoles. Conversely, most of these gaming smartphones have designs that make them a little less appropriate for more formal environments with their flashy RGB lighting and distinctive motifs. A middle ground between these two extremes would be to slap on some controllers on “normal” but premium handsets, effective but also a little too mundane these days. This rather unusual phone case, however, tries to add a new flavor to mobile gaming by introducing not only an unusual controller design but also by making it exclusive to one of the weirdest and cutest smartphones in the market.

Designer: Sugar Cubes (via Retro Dodo)

The Unihertz Jelly Star is obviously not your typical smartphone. With a size that’s no larger than a credit card, the tiny device is advertised as the world’s smallest Android 13 smartphone, a title no one will probably try to wrest away from it anyway. With a 3-inch screen, a transparent colored back, and some rather reasonable specs for its size, the Jelly Star is probably also the world’s cutest smartphone.

A Chinese accessory maker by the name of Sugar Cubes is taking that cuteness and turning it into something that even gamers will find alluring. Rather than simply attaching controllers, which would be gigantic compared to the Jelly Star, you will instead insert the tiny phone into a large, boxy case that transforms it into a rather unusual gaming handheld that is more reminiscent of the “Game & Watch” devices of old than any modern handheld console. Even the controls themselves are in non-standard locations, even though they provide most of the standard buttons, including a joystick.

There seem to be two designs for the Sugar Cube Jelly. One has the Unihertz Jelly Star lying horizontally and near the top, giving the device a more Game Boy-like appearance, though short in stature. The other has the phone standing vertically in the middle, flanked by two sets of controls, a design closer to the Nintendo Switch by some stretch of the imagination. Details on how the small phone will be inserted into the case are still slim, though it seems that the vertical design will simply have the Jelly Star slip into the case from the side, with one of the controllers swinging open like a flap.

The unconventional and eye-catching design of the Sugar Cube Jelly makes it perfect for branded merchandise, theming the colors and decals accordingly. That said, there’s still no word on when this product will actually hit the market, or if it will even be made available outside of China. Even then, the Unihertz Jelly Star isn’t exactly oozing with power, so while you might be able to comfortably run some retro games via emulation, forget about boasting your odd contraption while playing Genshin Impact.

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MSI Liberator GP10 Pedal Controller wants to make your feet as productive as your fingers

Despite stereotypes of living very sedentary lifestyles, gamers, especially those leaning towards pro levels, tend to have very dexterous fingers that seem to fly across keys or push buttons at superhuman speeds. That’s not exactly surprising, considering every second counts in a game, especially in the more competitive titles. Unfortunately, even the fastest gamer only has two hands with five fingers each, but those aren’t the only limbs available to humans, though. Musicians have long been utilizing their feet not just to tap to the beat but to also control the music they’re playing or add effects and flourish. Gamers are in just as much need of more controls, and this RGB-lit foot pedal from MSI is offering gamers that competitive edge they need to step up their game when their hands are already too busy to make that saving throw.

Designer: MSI

Pedal controllers aren’t exactly new, but they have mostly been more in use in the music industries, from traditional pedals on keyboards to the more nuanced controllers for MIDI devices, synthesizers, and other audio-creation equipment. Of course, everyone could do with a few more buttons or keys they can press to make their work easier or faster, especially gamers who often find their keyboards or controllers still insufficient to meet their demands. That’s what the MSI Liberator GP10 tries to bring to your setup so you can free your fingers for more important actions.

In a nutshell, this foot switch adds three programmable buttons you can map to almost any action you can think of. Think of having three more buttons on your mouse or three customizable keys on your keyboard, except you don’t need an extra finger to use them. And if three buttons aren’t enough, you can actually hook up as many as four of these footswitches at once, presuming you have the space and mental capacity to add 12 more buttons to your setup.

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Unlike their musical cousins, however, you really can only tap the “button” at the bottom of your feet or hit the two side buttons by tilting your feet to the left or to the right. There’s no lever mechanism that you can gradually lower or raise, which would have been useful for actions like increasing or decreasing volume, brush sizes, opacity, and more. After all, the MSI Liberator GP10 isn’t just for gamers, though that’s the primary target audience. Even creators and coders can benefit from having a few extra keys at their disposal.

As usual as having extra buttons might be, it’s probably arguable whether such a controller would actually be comfortable or ergonomic in the long run. People are indeed advised to move their feet once in a while to keep the blood flowing, and MSI promises that the MSI Liberator is designed with ergonomics in mind. That said, the repetitive action that plagues mouse users could result in the same strain injury on your foot if you don’t pay attention and take breaks often, as you should always do anyway.

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This Official Backbone One Carrying Case Is Sleek and Convenient

The rise of remote gaming in the early 2020s introduced the ability to play full-scale console and PC games remotely on mobile devices. Some of that hype may have been a bust when it came to cloud-based services like Google Stadia, which shuttered in January because it simply “hadn’t gained the traction” Google wanted. But at least the trend brought with it a huge boon: really cool controllers that looked great, felt great, and plugged into your phone to control local consoles through apps like the PS Remote App and Xbox Remote Play, or play console-quality games through Apple Arcade or Google Play Pass.

Backbone One, at least the original Backbone One from 2020, set the basis for great smartphone controllers that made gaming on the go far more viable than ever before. Last year, Backbone came out with the PlayStation version of its mobile controller, using a similar button layout and visual style at the excellent DualSense controller. And now there’s a second-gen refresh, complete with a stylish and sleek carrying case that only costs $24.99 on the official Backbone store. Backbone’s newest controller update is exciting (thanks to an improved D-Pad and broader compatibility with devices) but the real star of the show is the brand-new official Backbone carrying case.

Designer: Backbone

The carrying case comes in two, very slick-looking colorways: Black and White. The latter is also the official “PlayStation Edition” carrying case, thanks to its usage of DualSense colors around the exterior chassis. The PlayStation logo is neatly displayed on the upper right corner instead of the usual “Backbone” lettering. This chassis looks both compact and durable, thanks to Backbone’s “firm outer shell and molded interior”. Both case designs come with a bright orange zipper that looks sharp regardless of which colorway you choose.

Backbone One’s official carrying case is going for an MSRP of $24.99, and is rated to be compatible with any existing Backbone One controller for iOS or Android devices. It looks like the controller sits snugly inside the case, and you can even use it with the iPhone adapter installed onto the Backbone controller. Once inside, the carrying case’s foam molding should keep it in one spot, without exposing it to the wear-and-tear often caused by constant shaking and bumping during transport.

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This innovative controller replaces your keyboard to take your gaming to the next level

Before mobile gaming became the lucrative industry that it is today, the gaming industry was traditionally split between PCs and consoles, with each side having its preferred input device. The reality, however, is that this line between camps has always been blurry. Console players lack the precision of a mouse of aiming, while PC gamers sometimes grab a controller for titles that are sometimes better played with a joystick and buttons. Unfortunately, the latter also sacrifices the precision of a mouse and the versatility of having so many keys to use.

The best of both worlds would definitely give any gamer a winning edge, which is exactly what this one-of-a-kind controller is offering, letting you put away your keyboard while keeping your mouse and still have access to 22 buttons that you can customize to your gaming needs.

Designer: Nicolas Franco

Click Here to Buy Now: $84 $119 (29% off). Hurry, only 30 left! Raised over $100,000.

There are pros and cons to the different input methods that gamers use. Of course, there is no perfect device, and users unfortunately have to compromise when picking one over the other. If only you could combine keyboard, mouse, and controller without sacrificing any of them and still have a compact and portable setup. That might sound like a pipe dream, but that’s exactly what the Hex Evo brings to the table, offering a no-compromise way of combining the precision of a mouse with the flexibility and comfort of a gaming controller.

Fully Repairable Controller – Buy official replacement modules (joystick, battery, motherboard, and more) and easily swap out damaged parts for brand new ones. No soldering required.

Compatible with consoles, PCs, and Macs, the Hex Evo Left Hand Gaming Controller completely changes the game to give you the edge that you need for comfortable gaming and glorious victory. Best of all, the controller is built for easy repair, with replacement parts available to make it possible to do on your own, and never have to suffer the pain of joystick drift or using an old, degraded battery.

Combine the Best of Both Worlds – Gain an edge over your opponents by combining the precision of mouse aim with the freedom of controller movement.

Fully Replace the Keyboard – You can perform all the in-game actions that you would do with the keyboard with a true analog stick and 22 mappable inputs.

At first glance, the Hex Evo looks like the left half of a typical game controller. It allows you to precisely aim with the mouse while moving with the convenience of an analog joystick, something that feels awkward and unnatural with the typical combination of keyboard and mouse. That’s just scratching the surface, though, because the Hex Evo is fully customizable, enabling you to set it to controller or keyboard mode, and grants you access to no less than 22 “buttons” that you can map to any function. You can even assign macros, combo presses, or even assign buttons to a combination of keypresses, making it appealing not only to gamers, but also to those looking to upgrade their setup in the productivity space.

Game Comfortably – Hold the Hex Evo wherever you feel most comfortable.

The ingenious secret to this feat is the Shift key that practically doubles the number of buttons available. There’s also the fact that you can press two buttons together to create a different action, which can also be combined with the Shift key to expand the available options. And with a motion sensor, which you can again pair with the Shift key, you have two more inputs to use for any purpose you can think of. No other controller can ever match this level of customization, and that’s not even counting the programmable buttons you might have on your gaming mouse.

Ultra-portable Setup – The Hex Evo takes a fraction of the space any keyboard does, which means you can easily take it and your mouse anywhere you go, and never miss a chance to game.

The Hex Evo isn’t just a marvel of technology, it’s also an example of great product design. From its ergonomic form and high performance, to the use of durable materials and injection molding process, the controller was designed right from the start to cater to gamers’ needs and tastes. It even comes with an Evo Case that has removable foam inserts to fit both the Hex Evo and your favorite gaming mouse, letting you take your powerful gaming weapons anywhere. So step up your game and take your productivity to new heights with the revolutionary Hex Evo Left Hand Gaming Controller.

Click Here to Buy Now: $84 $119 (29% off). Hurry, only 30 left! Raised over $100,000.

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The PlayStation Access controller design is already well-received by disabled gamers

The PlayStation 5 Access Controller, which Yanko Design featured when it was first unveiled on World Disability Day, is now in the hands of several key voices in the disabled gaming community as previews began rolling out earlier today. So far, its reception is skewing positive across the board as Sony simultaneously revealed the controller’s packaging and peripheral Logitech G Adaptive Gaming Kit – with the latter available sometime in January 2024, at least one month after the global release of the PlayStation 5 Access Controller on December 6.

In fact, Grant Stoner, one of the most outspoken accessibility-focused video game journalists in the field, called the Access Controller “one of the five accessibility successes of 2023 so far” in a recent report on IGN.

On a broader note, we had great things to say about Microsoft’s widening array of accessibility accessories for Xbox and PC gamers in 2022. It’s safe to say that Sony’s recent push into making its own games and controllers more accessible can only bode well for a future where all gamers are included in the excitement and zeitgeist of new game releases as the gaming hobby continues growing in popularity.

Designer: Sony

Disabled reviewer Dynamic Reactions had the chance to go hands-on with the new Access Controller in IGN’s official preview of the new hardware, commending everything from the customizability of the buttons to the intuitiveness of its design – both from a hardware perspective, as well as in terms of how easy it was to set up and calibrate/recalibrate in the PlayStation 5’s internal menu.

Evidently, the Access Controller unlocks entirely new styles of play for those who struggle to play with standard controllers, such as in fighting games or action-heavy games where many buttons need to be pushed or held together in close succession, such as when doling out combos. Dynamic Reactions chimed in on how the Access Controller made that possible for her, saying, “Combos can be extremely tedious at best and incredibly painful at worst when you’re gaming with dexterity issues.”

“On a regular dualsense if the combo is reachable I often find myself moving my left hand over to the other side of the controller stretching my fingers trying to hit every button at the right moment. The access controller eliminates this problem by allowing you to map two actions to one button of your choice in the profile section with the assign simultaneous press menu.”

The new PlayStation 5 Access Controller is set to release on December 6 for an MSRP of $89.99 USD/$119.99 CAD/¥12,980 JPY/€89.99/£79.99 according to a recent PlayStation Blog post. Logitech’s G Adaptive Gaming Kit will expand the controller’s functionality with even more plug-and-play buttons and triggers, gaming mats with a hook and loop system to arrange buttons, and velcro ties for mounting. It will launch sometime in January 2024 for an MSRP of $79.99 or equivalent.

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MagSafe compatible iPhone gaming controller makes gameplay precise and charging effortless

Hey iPhone gaming enthusiasts! Are you ready to take your mobile gaming experience to a new level? If you’ve ever wished to play your favorite console games on your iPhone, you’re in for a treat.

Thanks to the rise of cloud gaming, you can now delve into the worlds of impressive game titles right from your latest iPhone! To be your perfect gaming companion on that journey is the PocketPlay, a game controller designed to enhance the gaming adventure for iPhone users.

Designer: Ethan Chiang

Rendered on KeyShot: Click Here to Download Your Free Trial Now!

For a true gaming enthusiast, the convenience of playing on your iPhone is unbeatable, but the limitations of touchscreen controls have often left us yearning for something more. To that accord, iPhone gaming controllers have become an essential tool for avid gamers who crave precise controls.

These savvy gamers can now enjoy the advantages of proper controls, while others struggle with pesky touchscreens, by embracing the PocketPlay. It’s developed by combining the best aspects of other renowned controllers on the market, mimicking the established ergonomic grips of the Razer Kishi V2 and the Backbone One – with of course, subtle distinctions worth noting.

PocketPlay is sleek and innovative. Result of unwavering 3D modeling and rendering, PocketPlay is completely foldable and rotatable for easy transport and gameplay. Simply fold and slide it into your pocket or bag, and you’re good to go! Never again will you have to worry about lugging around bulky gaming gear.

D-pad has been a constant for many phone gaming controllers, but not with PocketPlay; the interesting, detachable design replaces it with diagonal buttons for precise control. Moreover, the subtly textured back adds the perfect grip, making every move feel natural and accurate.

PocketPlay makes use of MagSafe tech on the back to allow effortless charging while the iPhone remains fixed to the controller. This not only allows you to charge the game controller and iPhone simultaneously, you can actually do so while immersing yourself in the thrilling game session. If you’re convinced, upgrade your gaming arsenal with PocketPlay. Its compact size and ergonomic design make it a breeze to carry and effective to use, enabling you to transform any place into your gaming haven.

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Eliminate stick drift with the GameSir G7 SE controller that has a paintable faceplate and wired-only option

Pissed off with unreliable joysticks that have the same old stick drift in first-party controllers that shows up after some time of use? A small issue that’s the most likely reason you’ll buy a new one to avoid any in-game disadvantage. Unfortunately, most of the officially licensed gaming controllers are plagued with this problem but at last, GameSir wants to get rid of this for good.

The famous gaming accessories brand specializing in gamepads has unveiled its new G7 SE Controller for Xbox gaming consoles and PC platforms. The controller comes with specially designed magnetic anti-stick drift Hall Effect triggers/thumbsticks and much more. Sure, there are ones by 8BitDo and GuliKit that come with Hall effect sensors, but this one steps up the game to the next level.

Designer: GameSir

The gamepad is tested for 5 million cycles before it shows any sign of stick drift with this innovation. The Hall Effect joysticks named after Edwin Hall employ permanent magnets to measure the stick’s position and negate the stick drift that can develop with usage.

It’s based on the G7 controller released this year and is a wired-only version. G7 SE is also the first ever officially licensed Xbox controller with Hall Effect. Another unique perk is its magnetically removable, paint-friendly faceplate for a precisely customized look to reflect one’s personality. To prevent any accidental activation the gamepad has lockout switches for the rear buttons. Other common features include pulse-type vibration trigger motor and asymmetric vibration grip motor.

With a price tag of $50 (just $5 more than the G7) this is an absolute no-brainer option for gamers who are bugged with stick drift. The only thing that would have made it a sweet deal is the wireless connectivity feature, and we presume the predecessor will have this option. Although wired only means there’s less convenience but the assurance your controller won’t have any stick drift means complete peace of mind.

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