TechBloggin.com

Filed under: Household, Networking

As the global economy curls up into the fetal position in the face of rising energy costs, we’re as determined as anyone to be as energy efficient as possible — as long as it’s completely convenient, of course. Mi Casa Verde hopes to help with that with Vera, a Z-Wave / 802.11 hub with an exceptionally robust web interface for monitoring the energy usage of devices in your home as well as turning them off, setting up scenes, events and timers, and operating locks and security cameras. Since it’s a low impact little device running a stripped down version of Linux, it operates on less power than desktop-based solutions — a benefit that Mi Casa Verde claims makes it one of the few systems that save more power than they use. Its retail price will be competitive, with the box at $299 and a secure remote access gateway at $8 per month, but Mi Casa Verde is trying to entice would-be testers with a pre-street sale price of $149 and one year of free remote access service — that option will be available through October 31st, with the final product available to conscientious tree-huggers (tech savvy and otherwise, the company hopes) everywhere on November 15th.

[Thanks, Dmitry]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: Samuel Axon

written by

Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals

Even with today’s wireless video game controllers, you can’t stay untethered forever. After a few hours of gaming on the PlayStation 3, you’ll have to plug in that SIXAXIS or DualShock 3 USB cable to charge. Starting December 18th, Sony Japan will offer an AC adapter intended for PS3 controllers at a price of ¥2,800 (just under $30). Like third party solutions we’ve seen, it has two USB ports so you’ll be able to do two controllers or toss in a Bluetooth headset. Nothing yet on availability outside of Japan, but if we get word we’ll be all over it, ’cause we feel slightly guilty for leaving the PS3 on overnight to charge — what with the world’s dwindling energy supply and all.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: Samuel Axon

written by

Filed under: Gaming

According to gamesindustry.biz, Microsoft is confirming a slight revision to its Xbox 360 controller design. Apparently, the new iteration of the gamepad includes enhancements to its d-pad, which admittedly has always been somewhat lacking. In Microsoft’s words: “The new limited edition green wireless controller offers enhancements to d-pad functionality, which will add to the experience of playing games where the d-pad is the primary control mechanism.” We’d like to think that this d-pad tweak will finally give us an opportunity to level up in COD4 from Corporal to Lieutenant General in no time.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: Joshua Topolsky

written by

Filed under: Gaming

Console modders out there have been doing crazy things with controllers for a while now, and while this latest piece isn’t as crazy as the one-handed Access Controller, it’s still good for a double-take — check out this wired 360 controller shoehorned into a DualShock3 shell, complete with green LEDs. THe modder, RDC, says it works great, rumble included, but that there’s no headset connector and the L2 and R2 triggers aren’t analog — both things he’s hoping to fix in the next version. We’d suggest keeping the DS3 buttons as well — while the colorful 360 buttons look pretty hot against that black case, we’d rather break this thing out and blow minds stealth-style.

[Thanks, Aguiluz]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: Nilay Patel

written by

Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals

Oh, brother. Let the onslaught begin. Now that games like Rock Band and Guitar Hero have proven to be huge money makers, not to mention how profitable those ridiculous shells for the Wiimote are, we’re betting that EA Games is just the next of many that will soon bundle peripherals with games. According to EA’s David McCarthy, his firm will be “using a peripheral strategy to some extent, even over the course of the next 12 months.” Thankfully, he did note that extras would only be bundled “if it really does enrich the experience of gameplay and doesn’t create a barrier to entry for consumers.” We can see it now: $80 sports titles that create all sorts of relationship problems with the partner who actually values a kempt living room.

[Via Joystiq, image courtesy of HouseOfNintendo]

Read - McCarthy speaks
Read - McCarthy elaborates

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: Darren Murph

written by

Filed under: Peripherals

Some fairly fantastic homegrown controllers have graced our eyes before, but seriously, we have no idea how a human brain could actually keep track of all the possibilities on this one. Regrettably, we have no idea how many square inches (feet?) this thing encompasses, but the aptly-dubbed Ambassador was reportedly built with arcade buttons, an aluminum top panel and a wooden case with the sole purpose of controlling Ableton Live music software. Of course, a custom driver had to be created just to take everything in, and quite frankly, we’re not too sure this thing was actually hand built as opposed to being ganked from a UFO’s control hub.

[Via MAKE]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: Darren Murph

written by

Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals

For Rock Band players that have also had some experience with a bona fide six-string, getting used to that plastic strum bar can take some work. For one gamer in particular, he decided to spend that time doing something a bit more productive than getting acclimated, like adding in an actual guitar string. There’s also a switch mechanism that gets triggered by said string, which then sends an input to the game. Pretty swank, we say — check out the video for yourself after the jump!Continue reading Rock Band mod adds actual guitar string, touch of class to axe

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: Darren Murph

written by

Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals

Oh sure, one could argue (quite successfully, we might add) that Nyko’s Wireless Nunchuck was quite the blessing for those sick and tired of the factory tether, but what about all us chaps and dames who already purchased Nintendo’s version of the Nunchuck? Fret not, Wii faithful, as Nyko is coming to your rescue once more. The aptly-titled Cord-Free Adapter for Wii Nunchuck enables current wired Nunchuck owners to simply holster their peripherals, wind up the cord and enjoy all sorts of wireless freedom. Granted, we still feel that this February-bound accessory is priced a touch high at $19.99, but hey, it’s cheaper than buying an all new third-party ‘chuck, eh?

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: Darren Murph

written by