PlayStation 3 accessories

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[edit] SIXAXIS

The nearly final PlayStation 3 controller. Its design is nearly identical to that of the DualShock.
Enlarge
The nearly final PlayStation 3 controller. Its design is nearly identical to that of the DualShock.

The SIXAXIS is the official wireless controller for the Sony PlayStation 3. In Japan, individual SIXAXIS controllers will be available for purchase simultaneously with the console's launch, without a USB to USB mini wire, at a price of JP¥5000 including tax (about US$40).[1] Individual SIXAXIS controllers will also be available at launch in the United States for US$49.99 and 59.99 in Canada.[2]

The 2005 "Boomerang" or "Banana" controller was officially abandoned.
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The 2005 "Boomerang" or "Banana" controller was officially abandoned.

[edit] History

At E³ 2005, Sony showcased their "boomerang" design. Sony stated that the original controller "was very clearly designed as a design concept, and was never intended to be the final controller, despite what everybody said about it"; later, however, company officials conceded that it was "obviously a surprise to the industry" seeming to suggest otherwise. [3].

This was replaced by an upgraded wireless version of the DualShock 2 at E³ 2006.

Until Sony announced the name in early October [4], reviewers had been calling the controller "DualShake." [5]

[edit] New features and improvements

The controller can operate wirelessly over Bluetooth. It also features a USB mini-B port, which can be used to connect a USB cable for internal battery charging and wired operation, and the battery can be replaced when it passes beyond its lifespan. The controller can be seamlessly swapped from wireless to wired operation, and can be charged automatically upon connection. The controller can operate up to 30 hours on a full charge. Up to 7 simultaneous controllers are supported natively by the console.[1]

A major feature of the controller is the ability to sense both rotational orientation and translational acceleration along all three dimensional axes, providing a full six degrees of freedom.[6]

The SIXAXIS features finer analogue sensitivity than the DualShock 2, increased to 10-bit precision from the 8-bit precision of the DualShock 2. The controller also features more trigger-like R2 and L2 buttons, with an increased range of depression. In the place of the "Analog" mode button switch of previous dual analog models is a jewel-like "PS button" with the PlayStation logo, which can be used to access the home menu and turn the console on or off. A row of four numbered LED port indicators are on the top of the controller, to identify and distinguish multiple wireless controllers.[6]

[edit] Features lost

Sony has stated that because of these sensors, the rumble feature of the previous controllers has been removed, reasoning that the vibration interferes with motion-sensing.[6] This is contradictory to Nintendo's Wii Remote which still offers a complex vibration feature while having a more complex position sensoring feature. Haptics developer Immersion Corporation (who successfully sued Sony)[7] expressed skepticism of Sony's rationale,[8] and has since introduced tilt and motion-sensing which filters out vibration in software[9] and has offered the corporation a deal in an attempt to reintroduce the rumble function.[10] So far, Sony has ignored Immersion's skepticism and are confident that the motion sensing in SIXAXIS would far exceed what rumble could have done.

   
“
 It seems like the folks at Immersion are looking to sort of negotiate through the press and try to make their case to us. But, I think from Sony's point of view, we have a design path that would enhance the experience for the gamers, and we're looking to move forward and not continue down the path that we did down before. But to better the experience, we've talked about how there's a potential for that rumble to interfere with the SIXAXIS controller.
   
”

——Peter Dille on the SIXAXIS controller[11]

[edit] Memory Card Adaptor

The PlayStation 3 Memory Card Adaptor is a device that allows data to be transferred to and from the PlayStation & PlayStation 2 memory cards to the PlayStation 3's hard disk. The device connects to the PS3's USB port on one end through a USB Mini-B cable (not included), and features a legacy PlayStation 2 memory card port on the other end. The adaptor will be available for purchase simultaneously with the console's launch, at a price of JP¥1500 (including tax) in Japan,[1] and US$14.99 in the United States.[2]

[edit] BD Remote

Using Bluetooth, the PlayStation 3 BD Remote allows users to easily control videos and music on Blu-ray Disc and DVD. In Japan, the device will be available starting December 7, 2006, and will cost JP¥3,800 (about US$35).[1] The device will be available in North America in December for US$24.99.[1]

[edit] A/V Cables

At Gamer's Day 06, Sony revealed that the PS3 will not be packaged with component or HDMI cables. The official HDMI cable will retail for $50.00. Other HDMI cables will also be compatible.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d Sony Computer Entertainment (2006-10-03). ACCESSORIES FOR PLAYSTATION®3 BECOME AVAILABLE. Press release. Retrieved on 2006-10-03.
  2. ^ a b Sony Computer Entertainment America (2006-10-19). SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT AMERICA ANNOUNCES EXTENSIVE LINE UP OF GAME TITLES FOR PLAYSTATION®3. Press release. Retrieved on 2006-10-19.
  3. ^ Fahey, Rob (2006-05-12). E³: Sony's Phil Harrison. GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved on 2006-08-30.
  4. ^ http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3929&Itemid=2
  5. ^ http://www.askmen.com/gaming/ps2/Warhawk-PS3/preview-1-1.html
  6. ^ a b c Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (2006-05-09). SCE ANNOUNCES NEW CONTROLLER FOR PLAYSTATION®3. Press release. Retrieved on 2006-05-24.
  7. ^ Immersion Corporation (2005-03-08). Immersion Obtains $90.7 Million Judgment in Patent Infringement Case Against Sony. Press release. Retrieved on 2006-07-01.
  8. ^ Murdey, Chase (2006-05-17). Ready to Rumble? Immersion's Victor Viegas on PlayStation 3's Lack of Vibration. Gamasutra. CMP Media LLC. Retrieved on 2006-07-01.
  9. ^ Immersion Corporation (2006-06-19). Immersion Corporation Introduces Next-Generation Vibration Technology for Video Console Gaming Systems. Press release. Retrieved on 2006-07-01.
  10. ^ Hatfield, Daemon (2006-6-19). Immersion Offers to Rumble PS3. IGN. IGN Entertainment, Inc.. Retrieved on 2006-11-15.
  11. ^ http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/06/the-engadget-interview-peter-dille-sony-computer-entertainment/

[edit] See also

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