What you’re looking at is the new PlayStation 4, DualShock 4 controller. It still carries that familiar PlayStation controller shape but has been improved in order to house new features. The biggest change here is the addition of a new capacitive touchpad up front and new light bar on the top that can help display quick player information through pulses and color and is also said to interact with the new Eye camera. The start and select buttons are now gone and have been moved to a new “options” button while a new “share” button allows players to broadcast their gameplay in real time. Another improvement is the addition of dual stereo speakers on the controller itself along with the addition of a mic jack which the PS4 will now come bundled with a mic.
Sony did not show what the new PlayStation 4 however, only what the controller and new Eye camera look like. It’s a start. For more detailed information about the new DualShock 4, check out the press release below.
Press Release
NEW YORK, Feb. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) today announced Wireless Controller for PlayStation®4 (DUALSHOCK®4) and PlayStation®4 Eye, a new camera, along with PlayStation®4 (PS4™), its next generation computer entertainment system.
Wireless Controller for PlayStation®4 (DUALSHOCK®4)
Utilizing a similar design as the popular Wireless Controller for PlayStation®3(DUALSHOCK®3), DUALSHOCK®4 features new innovations to deliver better gaming experiences. DUALSHOCK®4 incorporates a new highly sensitive six-axis sensor, as well as a touch pad located on the front of the controller, which offers gamers completely new ways to play and interact with games.
DUALSHOCK®4 features a light bar on the top with three color LEDs that illuminate in various colors. The light bar illuminates to match the color of characters in a game to offer a simpler, more friendly way to identify players, even when playing side by side. The light bar also changes patterns during gameplay to provide useful information to gamers, such as when a character is critically low on health or has taken major damage.
In addition, DUALSHOCK®4 will come with a built-in speaker and stereo headset jack, enabling PS4 users to enjoy high-fidelity sound effects of games from both the TV and also from the controller. Combined with the Mono Headset that will be bundled with PS4, gamers will also be able to chat with friends playing online, while hearing sound effects from the controller in hand.
While integrating “SELECT” and “START” buttons on DUALSHOCK®3 Wireless Controller into a new “OPTIONS button”, DUALSHOCK®4 is newly equipped with a “SHARE button” to further enhance PS4?s social capabilities. The “SHARE button” allows gamers to easily broadcast their gameplay in real-time to friends through internet streaming services such as Ustream. Users can also share their triumphs and accomplishments by uploading video gameplay to Facebook with the “SHARE button”. Unlike streaming content via PC, users no longer have to convert data formats of their recorded gameplay, but can share it with ease. Additionally, gamers can charge DUALSHOCK®4 while PS4 is on standby or through a dedicated charging station. For convenience, DUALSHOCK®4 can also be charged with smartphone chargers via USB.
During the creation of DUALSHOCK®4, Sony Computer Entertainment worked with key partners in the development community to improve the feel of the left / right sticks and the trigger buttons, the result is a much tighter sense of control over in-game actions.
< Wireless Controller for PlayStation®4 (DUALSHOCK®4)>
External Dimensions
Approx. 162mm x 52mm x 98mm (width x height x depth)
(tentative, excludes largest projection)
Weight
Approx. 210g (tentative)
Keys / Switches
PS button, SHARE button, OPTIONS button,
Directional buttons (Up/Down/Left/Right),
Action buttons (Triangle, Circle, Cross, Square),
R1/L1/R2/L2 button, Left stick / L3 button, Right stick / R3 button, Pad Button
Touch Pad
2 Point Touch Pad, Click Mechanism, Capacitive Type
Motion Sensor
Six-axis motion sensing system (three-axis gyroscope, three-axis accelerometer)
Other Features
Light Bar, Vibration, Built-in Mono Speaker
Ports
USB (Micro B), Extension Port, Stereo Headset Jack
Wireless Communication
Bluetooth® Ver2.1+EDR
Battery
Type
Built-in Lithium-ion Rechargeable BatteryVoltage
DC3.7V (tentative)Capacity
1000mAh (tentative)
