I’ve reviewed the night-vision goggles and Mad Catz 360 accessories for Modern Warfare 2. But what about the Playstation 3 peripherals? More »
Microsoft UK’s Xbox marketing blitz continues apace with two new fronts being opened up in the battle for Xmas console mindshare.
We know the deal with Japan and the official Bluetooth PS3 headset, but that’s of only trivial interest to most of you. Of a more direct interest should be the US details, which Sony have divulged today. The headset will, aside from launching in a bundle with SOCOM: Confrontation, also be sold individually, and will see a release sometime in “spring”. As for pricing, you may as well buy SOCOM, as the SOCOM/headset bundle will cost you $US 60, with the headset alone costing you $US 50.
Official Bluetooth Headset for the PLAYSTATION 3 [PlayStation.Blog]
Sony Computer Entertainment Japan has just announced a Bluetooth wireless headset for the PS3 — which we previously covered. The headset is priced at ¥5,000 ($A55) and will be released in Japan on October 30. It is bundled with a cradle that can be used to charge the headset, and the headset offers up to 8 hours of talk time and up to 300 hours of standby. It has an operating range of up to approximately 10 meters — or roughly 33 feet.
Hit the jump for the press release.
Alriii-iiight, more wacky patent lawsuits! Copper Innovations Group, who you’ve never heard of, are suing both Nintendo and Sony, claiming both companies are copying a device they patented in 1996. Which you’ve never heard of. Apparently twelve years ago, Copper filed for a patent which “covers a method for connecting devices to a system and sorting their inputs by means of hardware identification numbers tied to each transmission”. In other words, a similar system to the way your Bluetooth Wii Remotes and PS3 controllers are assigned to player 1, 2, 3 etc. The Sixaxis, PS3 Blu-Ray Remote, Wii Remote and Wii Nunchuk are all named in the suit as products infringing on Copper’s patent. Not only are they seeking damages and legal costs, they’re looking at scoring an injunction that would prohibit Sony and Nintendo from further infringing on the patent. Good luck with that. Nintendo, Sony face new patent suit [GameSpot]
Remember that dangling dongle “solution” for Guitar Hero III for the PlayStation 3? You may be in for a similar treat with Rock Band, as 1UP reveals that the game’s wireless guitars won’t actually use the built-in Bluetooth wireless capabilities for that game either, instead opting for a custom 2.4GHz hardware option. Don’t worry, Harmonix just says this is for the “first generation” guitar controllers, which may mean you have the option to re-buy wireless Bluetooth controllers at a later date.
This certainly won’t sit well with anyone looking for a dangle free PS3. If Rock Band is indeed going with a USB dongle for the “wireless” guitar controller, I sure hope it plans on included a USB hub with the PS3 version as future PlayStation 3 owners who are stuck with only two USB ports in the 40GB model will have a tough time plugging in a full band.
Further details on the Rock Band dongle bungle at 1UP.
PS3 owners looking for a luxury keyboard might consider the Cordless MediaBoard Pro Bluetooth Keyboard from Logitech. Beyond its piano black exterior sure to magnetise dust to match your PS3, the keyboard features basic SIXAXIS button controls and web browsing media shortcuts during 200 hours of battery life. And while the built-in touchpad won’t be ideal for an FPS, it will make simple mouse tasks couch-convenient.
Logitech’s new Cordless Bluetooth Vantage Headset is a high quality, noise-filtering device that runs up to 12 hours on rechargeable batteries. That’s the length of some multiplayer fests for many of our readers, but Bluetooth sucks the battery power. And besides, it will match your keyboard beautifully. Both peripherals are priced at a hefty $US80 and will be in stores this November.
Logitech Accessories [gizmodo] More »
