Zelda DS.. Yeah.. still want one.

Steampunk Joystick

For Those Who Love Fighting Games

via Steampunk Fighting Stick — For Those Who Love Fighting Games And Really Hot Water – G4tv.com.

Mad Catz offers alternative to Xbox 360 Wireless N Networking Adapter

Mad Catz offers alternative to Xbox 360 Wireless N Networking Adapter

via Joystiq – ULTRAFEED by JC Fletcher on 11/16/09

 

Following the release of Microsoft’s improved Wireless N Networking Adapter for Xbox 360, Mad Catz has announced its own wireless adapter, which improves upon Microsoft’s device in a couple of ways. First, the adapter, essentially an Ethernet bridge, works with the PS3, allowing for the use of the 802.11n standard with Sony’s console.

Second, and most importantly, the Mad Catz adapter improves upon the most reviled feature of the Microsoft model: the price. At $79.99 (£49.99/€59.99 in the UK and Europe), the Mad Catz Wireless-N Gaming Adapter is no impulse buy, but it’s exactly twenty dollars better than Microsoft’s version. Mad Catz told Joystiq that its device is currently shipping to North American and European retailers and will be available in the company’s online store this week.

Mad Catz offers alternative to Xbox 360 Wireless N Networking Adapteroriginally appeared on 

Comcast announces new bandwidth throttling scheme

Comcast announces new bandwidth throttling scheme

via 

Microsoft Seemingly Confirms Blu-ray For Xbox 360

via 

Sony to drop the Blu-ray from a PS3?

I was talking with one of my gaming friends over the weekend and somebody set up us the bomb on this one. According to this rumor, Sony is working on a new marketing strategy and system.

In order to get the PS3 more market saturation and order to compete in the casual gaming [PogoWolf: Nintendo, Natal, and that whole motion controller thing] market Sony is working on a new SKU for the slim PS3 that removes the Blu-Ray player itself.

This new SKU removes the most expensive part of the PS3 allowing Sony to drop the price to around $150 and still leave most of the standard PS3 hardware.    I was informed that this new version will also be available in an array of colors and what are being called “tattoos” (skins) for the system and that the first release model will be in white to differentiate the system from the full PS3 SKUs.
It was also been stated that Sony will release a piggy-back Blu-ray player for this new SKU sometime after launch.  It will connect to the system via the USB port and will offer a full Blu-ray movies and gaming experience. [PogoWolf:  Think of the HD-DVD drive for the Xbox 360]

This ‘arcade’ version of the PS3 will connect to the PSN, using the built in Wi-Fi in order to download games and demos.  Some of the smaller PS3 games might even show up on the PSN for these ‘Arcade’ users.  I was also informed that Sony is looking into allowing users, using a code, to ‘store’ their digital copy of a movie they have bought for streaming from the PSN.

However in order to cover the costs of the bandwidth needed to download Blu-Ray based games Sony is to create a new ‘Platinum’ pay for version of the PSN for Arcade customers    The standard PSN will still be free but the Platinum version will offer premium content and exclusives not available to the free PSN customers and will cost about $49.99 for a full year.
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PogoWolf:
Most likely this is complete BS…

But it’s really not a bad idea. It would be the first console to go to a complete digital delivery way of distributing its games and content. Granted downloading full 25gig games would be a bit of a bitch. However, it’s known that a lot of space on the Blu-Rays are duplicate files to help load times and no compression on audio and textures because there’s all that extra room. Remove the redundant files and compress not only the audio and textures (lossless mind you) but then ‘ZIP’ the package.. and even the downloads shouldn’t be too bad. Hell Sony might even be able to stream the games to the system the same way sites like GameTap does.

The Playstation is watching you…

Sony’s newest EyeToy, the PlayStation Eye for the PS3 is unveiled

Sony revealed today the new PlayStation Eye for the PS3.  The next model of Eye-Toy, now with a build in microphone and takes advantge of “huge advances in USB camera and microphone technology”  (from what?  the Eye-Toy?!)

According to [Half life source]:

The camera is a multi-tasking piece of equipment in that it will perform the normal tasks of taking photographs and creating video files for storage on the PS3 hard drive, but also comes with integrated software called EyeCreate that allows the user to create professional looking movies. The camera also sports a 120 frame-per-second rate (at 320 x 240, and 60 frames per second for 640 x 480), that allows for smooth video and even nice low-light operation. It has an adjustable zoom that features a 56 degree field of view for close-up work and a 75 degree field of view for a full view of you and part of the room.

There was no word on pricing… it will be interesting to see Sony’s price point.

 

Ok, so a little research shows some more information over at the [PS3 Fanboy site]

So the fan boy is saying that this isn’t a toy (which I gathered from Sony dropping the word ‘toy’ from the name) with features like ‘a noise reduction mic’, Low-light capture, Time lapse control, and a 4 channel audio input.

Now I just bought a new webcam, that about 1/2 the speed of this camera, minus the mic, for $30.  the PS-EYE is going for $59.99

Now I wonder if it’ll be PC (USB) compatible, but I would still call it a stretch to say this is a ‘revolutionary’ web cam.  Just what looks to be a good one.

Xbox 360 to us 65nm graphics chip…

The [Register hardware] is reporting that the next generation of Xbox 360 due in August, is to include the 65 nanometer ‘Jasper’ version of the graphics processing unit.  The TEN report also claimed MS is already working on Japser’s successor, ‘Valhalla’, due to be implement in Q3 2009.

Blu-Ray on the Xbox360.. in the news again.

Yep, this time over at [‘The Register: Hardware‘]

The report is reporting a rumor that Microsoft has ordered Xbox 360’s with Blu-Ray drives in a possible partnership with Asus.   It looks like Pegatron Technoloy will be doing the assembly of the new 360’s and we’re looking at about a 6 month turn around time.

Now Microsoft hasn’t ever confirmed or denied that it’s working on a blu-ray player for the 360, then have only confirmed they are NOT in talks with Sony over the technology.

 

[Update: 05/06/08]
According to Microsoft though, it’s not. Talking to Gamepro, a representative has been quick to step forward and deny this latest information saying that “games are what drive consumers to purchase game consoles, and [Microsoft] remains focused on providing the largest library of blockbuster games available.”
[Site]

(It would also help if Blu-Ray wasn’t so freaking slow!!!)

However.. [SLASHDOT] is reporting (and I quote)

“Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer had admitted that Microsoft had been working on support for Blu-ray under Windows during this year’s Mix08 conference. Rumors began to swirl and many began to expect Microsoft to announce a Blu-ray peripheral for the Xbox 360. However, Microsoft came out and denied all rumors, stating that they were not exploring any kind of Blu-ray add-on or in talks with Sony about integrating Blu-ray into the Xbox experience. After months of rumors and denials, the Xbox 360 with a Blu-ray disc drive is due to be manufactured soon and shipped in Q3 of 2008. Pegatron Technology, an OEM subsidiary of Asustek Computer, is reported to have received the winning order from Microsoft for a Blu-ray equipped Xbox 360.”

Which is what *I* said a while ago, M$ wasn’t in talks with Sony.. didn’t mean they weren’t working on getting Blu-Ray to the 360, or that it wasn’t coming for the 360 but for the ‘720’ or what ever the next Xbox is.

DX1 FULLY customizable keyboard

I’m the kind of guy that loves customizing his computer. No boring beige box and single monitor for me. I’ve got a nice window in the side of the case to show off my awesome hardware and liquid cooling system. The two wall-mounted LCDs help me stand out a bit too. However, one thing I haven’t really thought about is customizing my keyboard. Sure, I can program a few function keys to my liking, but nothing like this DX1 keyboard.

The DX1 is about as customizable as you can get. While it has only 25 keys, it’s not really meant for typing, but rather as a tool to aid you in whatever line of work (or play) you’re doing. Each key can be placed anywhere on the board, and moved on a whim. You’re welcome to assign shortcuts and macros to each key, however, you don’t need to worry about how it interacts with multiple programs as it will remember your preferences for each. This customizable keyboard will set you back more than most, at $139 it is a bit salty, but would be well worth it to some.

Source: UberReview
[Via CoolestGadgets]