And you thought browser game tweets were irritating? Japanese adult game studio Tech Arts 3D developed the Onacon, a USB controller peripheral than runs on computer power — and that you put your ding-a-ling in.
Over the years sound has increasingly taken the back seat to the other important elements of a PC gaming experience from mouse and keyboard to the graphics and light-kits.
The standard Atari joystick was not designed for comfort. Or for gaming, really, if we are being honest. Retro cool aside, looking at it now it resembles something you would expect to find on a Soyuz mission control console.
Were you one of those folks that opted for the cheaper 20GB PlayStation 3 without the card reader and now regret that decision? Perhaps you picked up the 40GB version that lacks the card reader and only featured 2 USB ports in front? Sure, you could have a USB hub and a card reader dangling off the front of your console, or you could wait until August when Nyko releases the NYKO Media Hub for the PS3.
This little gadget plugs snugly into one of your PS3′s USB ports, looking for all the world like it was meant to be there. The hub not only adds three more USB ports, bringing the total to either 4 or 6 depending on which system you own, but it also adds a card reader slot that handles both SD cards and Sony’s own memory sticks.
Very nicely done, Nyko. A peripheral that people actually need that doesn’t screw with the form factor of the system. The Nyko Media Hub should be in stores next month with an MSRP of $US 19.95.
There’s plenty of chatter about a seeming run-of-the-mill job posting but, admittedly, it might foreshadow something even for those of us who have qualifications necessary to work for Nintendo. Here ’tis:
CONTRACT – Software/Hardware Tester
Description of Duties
—-> * Creating and executing a test plan for Wii’s USB devices < —-- * Executing test plans with great attention to detail and documenting bugs * Writing test procedure documents, gathering, and learning required software/hardware * Reproducing bug reports and helping find work-arounds or resolutions
The talky-talk going around surmises that it involves USB HDDs to store all those swell WiiWare games Ninty’s been pushing out. Me, I think it’s a USB George Foreman grill, but then I don’t represent the cutting edge of blog thought.
Nintendo Looking Into USB Attachments? [Nintencast, via Codenamerevolution and others]
With the Emotiv Epoc incident still fresh in our minds, a company called OCZ Technology is planning to release a $US 300 USB mind reading electroencephalograph (EEG) of their own. But their pitch is less about disappearing boulders than controlling a mouse with your mind in games you already own.
So does it work? From what we can tell, you need to prod a real mouse in the right direction, and then your mind sort of takes care of the rest. So in one word—no.
OCZ to launch ‘brain mouse’: Neural Impulse Actuator for multi-core PCs [QJ Net]
“Aren’t you a little short for a Wii Remote?”, asked the demure, incarcerated Princess of her would-be rescuer. “I’m a USB stick, and I’m here to rescue you!” he enthusiastically replied. The Princess smiled. It was all she could do to keep from crying. Impersonating a trademarked consumer electronics peripheral? They were never going to make it out of there alive. Wedisk USB Thumb Drive Gives False Hope to The Borrowers [Gizmodo AU]
Rock Band’s going to be taking up a lot of room on a lot of people’s living room floors. It’s also going to be taking up a lot of USB ports on your console of choice. The PS3, it should be OK, it’s got four USB ports already, but what about the 360? It’s only got two, so if you’re packing two guitars and a drum kit you’re staring into the eyes of a problem. Enter ViPowER’s USB adapter, which will ship with all 360 Rock Band bundles. Looks…functional. Bit of a pain that it’s not powered through the 360, though. Also a shame it’s not black and adorned with flaming skulls. Check Out Rock Band’s USB Hub [1UP]
