Tag Archives: controller

Consoles

5 Ways To Customize Your Xbox Just For You

Most avid gamers agree that the controller they use can have a huge effect on their efficiency. That’s why so many spend time researching the rankings of the best controllers for the Xbox Series X|S when contemplating an improve from the controller that shipped with their system. Besides serving to you battle enemies in your favourite video games, your controller can add a contact of uniqueness to your gaming setup, and the Xbox Design Lab may also help you do it. A fast have a look at a number of the coolest custom Xbox controllers designed within the lab could persuade you to channel your interior Picasso to create a controller that speaks to who you might be as a gamer.

You can customise virtually each exterior a part of the controller, together with the physique, again case, D-pad, bumpers, triggers, thumbsticks, ABXY buttons, View, Menu, and Share buttons. All of those choices make it straightforward to create a controller that matches your private fashion. You can select the Xbox Wireless Controller or Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 as a canvas to customise with quite a lot of patterns and colours, together with Shock Blue, Pulse Red, and Electric Volt. If you wish to personalize your controller additional, you may add a laser-engraved message to your design. 

If you are a fan of the Fallout collection, you may create a Fallout-themed controller that includes Vault Boy, Brotherhood of Steel, Pip-Boy, and Mutant designs, with unique high circumstances and aspect caps, customizable button kinds, and metallic triggers, and D-pads. Given the vary of choices, visiting the Xbox Design Lab web site and taking part in round with completely different designs is one of the simplest ways to visualise what you may create. If you just like the outcomes, you may place your order on the web site, and it will be made to your specs and delivered inside 3 to 4 weeks. 

Smartphones

The Reason Your iPhone 15’s USB-C Is Slower Than Expected

Apple had to make changes to the USB Type-C design for the iPhone 15 and its Pro models due to the controller architecture. Unfortunately, this alteration resulted in a slower data transfer rate. The difference is significant, with a speed of 10Gbps for the Pro models compared to 480Mbps for the standard iPhone 15. It’s important to note that in order to take advantage of the faster data transfer, you will need a compatible USB-C Gen 3 cable, which is not included in the retail package provided by Apple. However, this discrepancy in USB standards does not seem to have a noticeable impact on charging speeds.

The iPhone 15 and its Pro counterpart can reach 50% battery capacity in approximately 30 minutes, while the iPhone 15 Plus and its Pro Max sibling take around 35 minutes. Furthermore, the maximum charging speed is the same for all models. The differences in silicon also affect other features, such as the exclusive ProRes video capture capability on external devices, which is only available on the iPhone 15 Pro models. This upgrade is particularly beneficial for creators, even though it may not be relevant for the average user. On a positive note, the USB Type-C port on all iPhone 15 models allows you to connect it to a larger display, which may be a desirable feature for some.

Consoles

What We Know About the Leaked New Xbox Series X Console

Recently, there has been a leak revealing some interesting details about the new Xbox Series X console. One of the most exciting findings is the introduction of the Xbox Universal Controller. Microsoft plans to make it the centerpiece of its gaming brand, allowing it to be used across various devices. While it bears a resemblance to the current controllers, there are a few notable changes.

The first noticeable difference is the two-tone design, which sets it apart from the standard design available now. It will also come with built-in support for Xbox Wireless 2 and Bluetooth 5.2. Additionally, the leaked documents indicate that the Xbox Universal Controller will feature haptic feedback, similar to the PlayStation 5’s DualSense controller. It will also have modular thumbsticks for customization and a rechargeable battery pack.

The controller will have an accelerometer, allowing it to detect movement and turn on automatically when picked up. Moreover, its modular design aims to make repair and disassembly easier, making it a more durable controller. Furthermore, a dedicated app will provide users with a simple way to pair and sync the accessory with multiple devices.

Gaming Accessories

How to Connect a GameCube Controller to Your Nintendo Switch

If you still have your GameCube controller from back in the 2000s or have recently purchased one, like the controller released alongside “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate,” you may be wondering how to connect it to your Nintendo Switch. The original GameCube controller’s connector is not directly compatible with the Switch, but with the right add-on, you can work around this limitation.

Nintendo offers an official GameCube to USB adapter plug for $70 that allows you to connect up to four wired GameCube controllers to your Nintendo Switch. When plugged in, the Switch recognizes the GameCube controllers as generic USB controllers, giving you the freedom to customize button layouts. You can even utilize features like rumble, but only in supported games such as “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.” Once you have the adapter, here’s how to use it:

  1. Turn on your Nintendo Switch in TV mode.
  2. Connect both of the adapter’s USB plugs into the two USB ports on the side of your Switch dock.
  3. Connect the GameCube controller to one of the open GameCube ports on the adapter.
  4. Press any button on the GameCube controller to activate it.

Once the controller is activated, you can use it to play compatible games. Just remember that the adapter needs to be plugged into the Switch dock, meaning you can’t use the GameCube controllers in handheld mode.

Gaming

5 Forgotten Features Of The Original Xbox That Are Pure Nostalgia

The first-generation Xbox controller bundled with the original Xbox systems, known as the Duke, will instantly transport any old school Xbox gamer back to the good old days. The Duke was known for its large size and distinctive design.

The Duke controller, originally designed by Denise Chaudhari and her team, featured innovative elements like its offset thumbstick placement. Its bigger size appealed to gamers with larger hands, offering a comfortable grip and ergonomic feel. Despite being bulky, the Duke had excellent build quality and durability, making it a reliable companion for countless gaming sessions.

Even though the Duke controller didn’t have wireless functionality and faced criticism for its size, it remains an iconic symbol of the original Xbox era. Third-party accessory makers like Hyperkin have recognized the nostalgia attached to the Duke and have released accurate replicas for the Xbox One, capturing the essence of the original controller.

The Duke’s influence on future controller designs is undeniable. Its unique features, such as the offset thumbsticks and oversized Xbox button, have influenced subsequent Xbox gamepads and contributed to the brand’s distinct identity. The controller holds sentimental value for those who grew up with the original Xbox, reminding them of the countless hours spent playing their favorite games (and the occasional hand cramps).

Technology

How To Connect A PS4 Controller To Your PC

Connecting a PlayStation 4 controller to a PC is most commonly done through Bluetooth. Here’s how you can do it:

  1. Click the Start menu.
  2. Type Bluetooth in the search field.
  3. Click Bluetooth and other devices in the search results.
  4. Toggle on the switch next to Bluetooth.
  5. Press and hold both the Share and PS buttons on the PS4 controller to enter the pairing mode where the light blinks.
  6. Click Add Bluetooth or other device.
  7. Select the Bluetooth category.
  8. Choose the option that says DualShock 4 controller.
  9. Wait for the controller’s light bar to stop blinking and turn solid, indicating that it has successfully paired with the PC.

While connecting via Bluetooth is simple, it can sometimes lead to input lag and disconnections, especially during fast-paced video games that require quick reactions. To avoid such issues, there are other connection options available if your PC doesn’t have Bluetooth.

Gaming

How To Connect Your PS5 Controller To Your PC

The DualSense controller, known for its comfort and various additional features such as the touchpad, motion controls, and haptic feedback, is not only limited to the PS5. If you want to use these features while playing on your PC, there is both good news and bad news to consider.

The good news is that it is possible to use all the advanced features of the DualSense controller while playing PC games. However, the bad news is that the ability to use these features depends on several factors, with the most significant one being whether the game you’re playing already has DualSense feature mapping.

In general, if you’re playing a game on your PC that is also available on PS5 (such as “Marvel’s Spider-Man,” “Death Stranding,” “Final Fantasy VII Remake,” etc.) and you have any external input modifiers like Steam Input disabled, then the advanced features should work as intended. However, if you’re playing other games or software, these features may not work natively. In such cases, you can try using an XInput wrapper like DualSenseX to manually enable the features, but even then, it may not guarantee their functionality.