Tag Archives: gaming controllers

Razer Kishi V2 tries to make gaming on Android more enjoyable

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There is no shortage of mobile games that push our phones’ hardware to the limits, and all of them are designed primarily to be controlled through the touch screen. After all, there is nothing more off-putting than having to scramble to pull out a game controller from your bag and attach it to your phone in order to spend a few minutes of free time on your favorite title. At the same time, however, There has also been a rise in the sophistication of mobile games as they try to compete with consoles and PCs for attention and profits. Fortunately, controllers have also become more sophisticated as well, and the latest version of Razer’s Kishi tries to upgrade the gaming experience for more Android phones.

Designer: Razer

The Razer Kishi, both V1 and V2, fall under the class of telescopic game controllers that can expand horizontally to accommodate phones of varying heights. Unlike most of its kind, however, the Kishi connects to a phone not via unreliable Bluetooth but through the phone’s USB-C port. That makes the connection more stable and faster and has the added bonus of saving Razer from having to put a bulky and heavy battery inside the controllers. The Kishi is powered by your own phone, while the phone can be charged via a passthrough connection.

The problem with the initial Razer Kishi is that it was designed to fit smartphones of a specific design and size. The Kishi V2 corrects this by using a flatter bridge so that it can tightly embrace more phones in a tight snug. It might even fit foldable phones like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 if one is so inclined to pair the two together. That’s not the only thing that has changed, however, and the Razer Kishi V2 has more features that try to improve the mobile gamer’s quality of life.

For one, the latest Kishi controller may look like it has the exact same buttons as its predecessor, but underneath, it switched away from using membranes to new microswitches. What this means in practice is that buttons will have a more tactile feel when you press on them, making them feel more clicky and giving a more believable console-like experience. If avid typers are very particular about the switches that their keyboards use, gamers can be equally picky about button switches inside their controllers.

Razer also throws in two customizable multi-function buttons beside the trigger buttons. The functions of these buttons can be set using Razer’s app, where most of the controller’s extra features can also be accessed. Speaking of software, the controller has a dedicated button to launch the Nexus app, Razer’s hub that collects games installed on your phone as well as those available through game streaming services like Xbox Game Pass and NVIDIA GeForce NOW.

Unlike the previous Kishi, the Razer Kishi V2 is currently available only for Android phones, though the list of supported phones has grown quite a lot thanks to that new design. One designed for iPhones is promised to come later this year, though no estimated launch window has been revealed. Despite recent big news about the company’s two eco-friendly mice, the Razer Kishi V2 is a bit silent on the sustainability front, showing that Razer still has a long way to go in making environmental awareness the rule, not the special exception.

The post Razer Kishi V2 tries to make gaming on Android more enjoyable first appeared on Yanko Design.

Customizable gaming controller switches D-pad and thumbstick position on demand for an ergonomic design

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Gaming sector is overtaking the movies and music industry – with even more rise in the graph expected in the coming years. PC and console gaming has been perfectly mirrored by mobile gaming and handheld consoles, which in turn has led to more users becoming aware of the high-end gaming titles on offer on the big screen. Add to that the cloud gaming option, and we are talking of expansion into a userbase who could not play graphics intensive titles due to hardware limitations on their PC.

Gaming controllers have consequently gained popularity as well, since players always want to have the right set of tools to gain a tactical advantage in-game. The more platforms a gamer has, the more he/she has to invest in the right gaming controller for the different options like Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, high-end PC, Stadia, GeForce Now, and many more. General wisdom suggests, you have one configurable gaming controller that can change its character depending on the platform it is being used with.

Designer: Crivty Design

For example, the thumbsticks on the DualShock 4 are placed adjacent to each other while on the Xbox One controller it’s asymmetrical. The directional pad on the Xbox’s controller is adjacent to the right analog stick, and on the DualShock, it is placed on the flipside to the Xbox’s offering. As a player, you might prefer one controller for an RPG and another for a racing sim due to the setup of these buttons. Having the freedom to switch the D-pad and joystick depending on which title you are playing, is much wanted. Crivty Design’s compact multi-platform game controller brings this functionality to the fore.

Unlike the current generation gaming controllers, this one is compact, and also comes with the promise of ergonomic comfort which is very important for gamers. The minimally designed controller has a dynamic curving form that aesthetically seems right on point. Just with the push of a swap button, the configuration can be toggled in the blink of an eye. The buttons on the left-hand side of the controller display the indicators depending on which platform you are playing on currently. Even the guide button (for Xbox) or the PS button (for PlayStation) displays the respective logo based on the platform this controller is being used for. Essentially it is a completely customizable experience that’s the USP of the gaming controller.

The post Customizable gaming controller switches D-pad and thumbstick position on demand for an ergonomic design first appeared on Yanko Design.

Here is What the Patent for Microsoft VR Mat Reveals

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If you are a gamer, you would be pleased to learn that Microsoft has filed a patent for a virtual reality floor mat. The VR floor mat can actually be used alongside a gaming console. In other words, the VR mat could double up as a controller that is based in virtual reality technology. The patent seems to have been filed on the 2nd of April, 2018. It was only published on the 3rd of October and has been picked up by several blogs and news websites. Although VR mats aren’t anything new, Microsoft’s attempt surely looks very promising. 

Microsoft VR mat seems to be a competitive strategy

Microsoft has been battling to remain profitable in the gaming arena. This has forced the company to think of novel ideas that will help it to remain profitable. As most gaming companies are yet to launch a VR mat studded with features, Microsoft may find itself having an edge over its competitors. The latest VR mat patent seems to have a number of interesting features that other similar mats in the market do not. Let us take a look at what makes this patent so special, and what you can expect from the product when it is eventually manufactured and made available in the market. 

Here are some of the most important features of Microsoft’s VR mat:

  • The mat comes with haptic feedback, and vibrates in a number of situations. 
  • Pressure sensors quickly understand where you are, and how you are trying to interact with the game
  • Thanks to the interlocking tiles, you can adjust your play space easily
  • Fiducial markers help you to selectively enhance VR experience depending on the activity region
  • Microsoft intends its VR mat to be used alongside a number of products including the Xbox One and 360 consoles

Microsoft’s patent highlights virtual reality’s importance in gaming

Certainly, Microsoft is not planning to give up on its VR game. On the contrary, its latest patent indicates that the tech giant is here for the long haul. The VR mat patent also reveals just how important virtual reality space is today. Though it is unclear at the moment if this VR mat will ever be produced for consumers, we can be sure that it is a promising product. If you have dabbled with VR products and are into gaming, do let us know what you feel about Microsoft’s new VR mat patent. Are you excited about it as much as we are?

The post Here is What the Patent for Microsoft VR Mat Reveals appeared first on Walyou.

PDP Afterglow 2.0 controllers and stereo wireless headset hands-on

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PDP Afterglow deluxe edition controllers and wireless headset hands and earson

Here at E3, PDP is showing off a handful of new gaming accessories for those looking to jump on the third-party bandwagon. The company has refreshed its line of Afterglow controllers that now sport a second edition label. Much like the previous models, the family will include accessories for PS3, Xbox 360 and two for Wii. The major difference that you'll notice is a portion of the peripherals is now black -- a bit of a departure from the clear interior-lit controllers that we've seen previously. In addition to the recharged versions of the Afterglow add-ons, the outfit also allowed us to go ears-on with a wireless stereo gaming headset that will sport the same illuminated moniker.

Here, you'll have your choice for either white or black (and then red, blue or green interiors) for the set of cans that provide a quite cozy fit -- thanks in part to the extra padding around the earcups. We gave them a spin with latest Call of Duty offering and were quite pleased with the sound quality, too. Three sound modes provide a bit of customization, allowing you to choose between pure audio, bass boost and 3D expander listening pre-sets. An LED on the tip of the unit's mic will keep you informed as to which selection you've made. Speaking of controls, all of the in-game adjustments that you'll need to make can be easily done from the left side. You can expect around 10 hours of gameplay on a single charge, an auxiliary jack for your mobile devices and connection to your console via USB dongle. When the headset arrives in September, it will set you back $89.95 and play nice with PS3, Xbox, Wii and PC. If you're still curious about further visual details, head for the gallery below and take a closer look.

Gallery: PDP Afterglow 2.0 controllers and stereo wireless headset hands-on

PDP Afterglow 2.0 controllers and stereo wireless headset hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 21:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft patent details pressure-sensitive Xbox controller for storing players’ profiles

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Microsoft patent details pressure-sensitive Xbox controller for storing players' profiles

Biometrics and laptop security go together like business meetings and boardrooms, but this Microsoft patent hints that gaming could be the next frontier for fingerprint recognition. The claims for "personalization using a hand-pressure signature" detail a product that may look like your standard 360 controller, but it features sensors to detect a user's identity. It seems that, based on each gamer's unique hand pressure patterns, the controller can determine who is holding the device at any given moment and deliver personalized content based on that user's gaming profile. Whatever Microsoft's mystery controller may be, E3 is just a few weeks away, so perhaps we'll learn more then.

Microsoft patent details pressure-sensitive Xbox controller for storing players' profiles originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 May 2012 16:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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