New Technology 2011 Gadgets, Best Gadgets, Desktop Gadgets

Why should iPhone users have all the fun? A new app for Android smartphones lets you use your PS3’s controller to play mobile games right on your droid.

Developed by Dancing Pixel Studios, Sixaxis Controller is a sort of tweak for Android smartphones that allows you to pair your DualShock 3 controller with your droid to play games that support key bindings. It’s an app exclusive to rooted phones since it requires super-user access.

From Dancing Pixel’s website:

Sixaxis Controller is an Android application which allows the Sixaxis and DualShock 3 Playstation controllers to be used as bluetooth input devices on many mobile phones and tablets. This enables the ultimate gaming experience to be had in a completely portable form factor.

Up to four controllers are supported at once, and key mappings are completely configurable, as well as the analog sticks, which are currently emulated as digital key presses.

Before you get too excited, you must understand that this doesn’t work with every rooted Android phone under the sun. Sixaxis Controller uses a special Bluetooth protocol which isn’t available on most droids from HTC or some of the latest Samsung phones. The devs are looking for a solution but, at the moment, the easiest workaround is to install a custom ROM like CyanogenMod which supports the required Bluetooth protocol.

If you want to check whether your phone supports Sixaxis Controller, use the Sixaxis Compatibility Checker app from the link embedded at the end. If you get an error, it means your phone doesn’t support the said Bluetooth protocol.

However, if your phone is actually compatible, follow the instructions below to get it working.

Important Note: We were unable to test this app because of its incompatibility with our Galaxy S II. Let us know in the comments section on Facebook of your experience.

Step 1: Purchase, download and install the Sixaxis Controller from the Android Market (link embedded at the end).

Step 2: If your phone is compatible, download the Sixaxis Pairing Tool for Windows from here. Once installed and launched, you will see a window that has a line which says Current Master: Searching.

Step 3: You must now connect your DualShock 3 controller via USB to your PC (cable is included with every PS3) and the text in Step 2 will change to a sort of code in the format xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx. This is the Bluetooth address with which the DualShock 3 controller is currently paired with.

Step 4: You need to find the Bluetooth address of your phone. This can be found inside the Sixaxis Controller app. At the bottom you will see Local Bluetooth Address. This address must be entered into the desktop Pairing Tool. Once entered, click on Update.

Step 5: Disconnect the DualShock 3 controller from your PC and press the PS/Home button it. If you followed the steps correctly and if your phone is compatible, the DualShock 3 controller will now be paired with your Android smartphone. Pressing left/right/up/down on the d-pad will show up in the app.

Step 6: Tap on Change Input Method from inside the app on your phone and select Sixaxis Controller.

You shall now be able to play any games that support key bindings (read: custom controls). Emulators such as NESoid, PSX4Droid etc. support key bindings, so you can use them to play games on your Android phone with a DualShock 3 controller. If your phone is HDMI ready, you can connect your phone with a supported display to get the ultimate portable gaming experience.

Download Sixaxis Compatibility Checker [Market Link]
Download Sixaxis Controller [Market Link]

(via Android Police)

You can follow us on Twitter or join our Facebook fanpage to keep yourself updated on all the latest from Microsoft, Google and Apple.

Subscribe to our RSS Feed !

Powered By WizardRSS.com | Full Text RSS Feed | Amazon Plugin | Settlement Statement | WordPress Tutorials