Hardware

Earlier this week at the PlayStation Meeting, Sony officially pulled the wraps off of the eagerly anticipated and heavily-rumored upgrade to the original PlayStation 4 console, the PS4 Pro. Confirmed outright just days before E3 by Andrew House, the console, then known under the assumed codename ‘NEO’, is the first of its kind: a mid-cycle refresh harnessing more power than the original, and utilizing the capabilities of 4K resolution and HDR imaging.

A slimmer, more power-efficient redesign of today’s readily-available PlayStation 4 was first speculated on earlier in the year when Macquarie Securities analyst Damian Thong spoke with the Wall Street Journal. Damian suggested the company would introduce the model, and with the company’s noted history of doing so previously, there was little doubt to be had.

The rumors of a more capable and better-equipped PS4 console, once referred to as the PlayStation 4K and PlayStation 4.5, has been a storied journey. Earlier this year, Sony’s Andrew House confirmed the development of this then mystery machine, putting an end to the longstanding rumors just days before E3.

Fanatec has just announced the latest addition in its extensive lineup of sim racing accessories: the CSL Elite wheel base and pedal set. The new model sits below the existing high-end Clubsport V2 model, but is usefully more powerful than the original V1. It is compatible with both Xbox One and PC platforms.

What a year this has been for both games and hardware. Sony finally acknowledged the development and existence of the forthcoming PlayStation 4 ‘NEO’, otherwise referred to as “PlayStation 4.5” and “PlayStation 4K”. This left a number of interested parties wondering whether the original model would be downsized to compete with the newly-released Xbox One S.

Well that was fast. After rumours started circulating earlier this week about an event in New York City, Sony has gone and confirmed a PlayStation Meeting next month.

The story of the better-equipped and more-powerful upgrade to the original PlayStation 4 has been a fabled one. While what initially began as rumors have since been officially confirmed by Sony’s Andrew House prior to E3, the question of “When?” has loomed ever since.

The Xbox One S seems to have had a great launch: the redesigned console has caught the attention of fans thanks to it’s sleek looks, faster operating system and slightly increased performance. One such version of the One S that has flown off shelves is the meaty 2TB model which is nearing the end of it’s first batch of stock. However, if you’re hoping to land the white 2TB console in the future, prepare for disappointment — Microsoft will not be restocking this particular model of the console.

https://youtu.be/rm60PyKdFUo

Sony has recently released details regarding the package appearance of PS4 video games that will feature compatibility with the PlayStation VR headset. This information will undoubtedly help the customers purchasing the games at local retail stores.

The PlayStation VR headset is going to be the newest addition to the realm of virtual reality accessories once it appears on store shelves October 13th. Prior to release, prospective buyers in the US and Canada looking to find out more about the product – including taking it on that all-important test drive – should be pleased to hear that Sony has established places to experience virtual reality for free.

Although modern driving simulators tend to model gear changing fairly well, without the proper accessory right in your hand, it is hardly possible to capture the true joy of manual shifting. The new shifter from Pro Sim focuses in on that exact problem, by offering an enhanced experience through a partnership with respected engineering company Quaife.

PlayStation VR had a strong showing at Sony’s E3 conference earlier this week, with plenty of demos on display, the likes of which including Batman: Arkham VR and Star Wars Battlefront X-Wing VR Mission. With these and plenty others in the pipeline, and those that were on the show floor, the industry is fairly optimistic about the adoption of VR headsets.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGxxXkDqRS8

In amongst the many announcements made at last week’s Copper Box blow-out of Gran Turismo Sport, Thrustmaster made a quiet reveal of their own on the show floor, showing off a new wheel coming in the future that will presumably be the official steering wheel of GT Sport.

One of the latest advances to herald a whole new approach to manufacturing, 3D printing is a way of building three-dimensional objects using the digital instructions of a computer as a guide. This unique piece of technology has become a veritable breeding ground, spawning various portable and compact objects, many of which can be conveniently used just as their ‘real’ counterparts. 3D printing technology is also being heavily considered for science and general home-use.

Prominent accessory manufacturer Thrustmaster is back in the spotlight with another interesting product – the TMX Force Feedback racing wheel, with highly adaptive force feedback effect. The new steering wheel has been officially designed for Xbox One, but the manufacturer ensures full compatibility on Windows platform PC’s as well.

You’ve heard the whispers by now, whispers of a more powerful and better equipped PlayStation 4 machine. Intended to handle higher-end gaming experiences and to serve as a better launchpad for Sony’s VR peripheral – the rumored “PlayStation 4.5” is just that machine, and it just might be closer than we all think.

Ford versus Chevy. Ferrari versus McLaren. Sony versus Microsoft. Some grudge matches seem almost as old as time itself, with console gamers being all too familiar with the third matchup. Exclusive titles on each console are only one aspect of the tough choice gamers face when picking a system: the number of friends on PSN or Xbox Live matters too, since players are restricted to those ecosystems. That might not be the case for much longer, however.

Thrustmaster continues their vie for peripheral domination with their newest add-on, benefiting those with the company’s TH8A and TH8 RS shifter assemblies – the TH8 Sequential Knob.