This image gave me a start when I first saw it. My buddy Peter wantd to play a PC game with a gamepad, so he took the gamepad of his XBOX 360, connected it to his PC, installed a driver and had fun:
Up to now, getting a controller working with a PC was extremely difficult. The german elektor magazine once managed to wire a Nintendo 64 controller up for usage on a PC; but had no chance in the end. The circuit was complex, the driver bad, and nobody really used the thingy.
This move from Microsoft’s IMHO is a sign how serious the company takes its XBOX 360 system, and how high they rate the need for its success. The XBOX 360 is a bit more expensive than the Nintendo Wii(more on Nintendo another day, pls remind me, anyone)-but this move by Microsoft “equalizes” the prices a bit.
Good PC gamepads cost 50$ or so last time I checked, and from what I feel the XBOX 360’s controller is excellent. Now, a gamer who purchases an XBOX 360, automatically gets a gamepad for his PC as well. And should the XBOX ever die, the controller’s can be recycled or sold to fellow PC gamers. This adds in a load of “future safety”, and this is something that many people love!
Overall, when offering stuff to customers, try to make it as compatible as possible. You may loose a bit of sales at first, but the universal compatibility will make your product more popular. The Handera 330 was extremely popular due to its Palm III style connector, which alowed recycling of peripherals that Palm themselfes had declared dead(m500).
What do you think?
Technorati tags:
Compatibility
Console wars
XBOX 360
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I’m all for reuseability. I have a Logitech keyboard that works with m500 and T|T2 but, of course, is useless to my T|E2. I’d also like Palm to wake up to the fact that Nokia has sold more mobile phones than anyone else and make the Palms able to use a Nokia charger: everyone’s got at least one lieing around somewhere. This would simplify packing for travel as well.
Why not buy a USB adaptor? You can get them to fit any of the now-gen systems (and many retro systems), and they only cost between $15 and $25 (Canadian).
Reusability…that’s why I love my IR-keyboard. I’ve been using it with a Clie SJ30, a TE, T3 etc. And it even works with my SDA (WinMobile phone).
It maybe was the best investment I’ve ever made…
Hi,
about the USB adaptor. Yeah, I know…but the problem is that the XBOX 360 gamepad can do its tricks right out of the box…
Best regards
Tam Hanna
The USB adapters are kind of bulky for laptop or iMac usage. I’m looking forward to using the Xbox 360 controller on my Mac once I make the next-gen console leap.
Soon, I’m going to pick up the small ThinkOutside Bluetooth keyboard for use on my iMac and LifeDrive interchangeably. I have a tiny NYC apartment, and I need all the space and interoperability I can get!
I’m curious – is there any software that would enable me to use my pc ir keyboard (logitech) with my Palm Lifedrive rather than have to buy a Palm/PDA specific keyboard given both are IR connected?
Hi,
no idea for the LifeDrive…sorry!
Best regards
Tam Hanna
Can I control Windows interface with it?
Rico,
It would act as a standard gamepad for games (like any logitech, etc.), so I’m sure there is software somewhere that will do it… Just a matter of working yout google magic… for istance: “control Windows” gamepad might work…
Good luck,
Ryan