Sep 21 2016

Connect a PS4 Controller to a Mac

I recently discovered Steam for video games (very late adopter over here) and for most games I prefer a controller to the keyboard/mouse thing. What to do?

English: A Sony PlayStation 2 DualShock 2 cont...

English: A Sony PlayStation 2 DualShock 2 controller. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

(NOTE: the picture above is of a PS2 controller. This article is about connecting a PS4 controller. But I didn’t have a photo of a PS4 controller I could use for free. You might be able to use a PS2 controller as well. As always, YMMV.)

Turns out it’s fairly easy — OK, super easy — to use a PS4 controller on a Mac, which is what I have. Basically, you plug it in and it works. Wireless usage via Bluetooth is also possible, although I’m old so I prefer wired.

Click through to Macworld.co.uk to see full instructions.

If you’re looking for a great controller for playing games on a Mac, look no further than the PS4 DualShock. The stock gamepad for the PlayStation 4 is a great controller, and it’s easy to set up. In this feature, we’ll show you how to connect a PS4 gamepad to your Mac

Source: How to connect a PS4 games controller to a Mac – Features – Macworld UK


Jan 07 2016

Bluetooth Pregnancy Test at CES (Why Do We Need This?)

Elle.com reports on a new Bluetooth pregnancy test from the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). My question: why do we need this?

(Note: the picture below is just a public domain pic of a not-Bluetoooth pregnancy test from Wikipedia.)

English: Pregnancy Test Svenska: Ett positivt ...

English: Pregnancy Test Svenska: Ett positivt graviditetstest (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

For the record, you have to pee on a stick, but this fancy new stick connects to your iPhone via Bluetooth.

But also! You can watch soothing videos while you wait three minutes for the results. From Elle.com:

The company released its Pregnancy PRO Digital Pregnancy Test at the Consumer Electronics Show this week. The sticks, which look just like your typical pregnancy tests, sync with a smartphone app via Bluetooth. You then urinate on the stick, as you normally would, and the app notifies you once it detects a sample. Then, a countdown clock shows three minutes until the result is ready. While you await the anxiety-ridden three minutes, you can click on “Calm Me,” “Educate Me,” or “Entertain Me” to either learn about fertility or just watch puppy videos to ease your nerves.

Oy vey. Maybe it won’t catch on.

Source: First Response Unveils Bluetooth Pregnancy Test – First Response Pregnancy PRO at CES (Elle.com)


Feb 02 2015

Puresounds Wireless Bluetooth Headphones (DaddyDeal)

Limited-time DaddyDeal on some wireless headphones – act now if you want ’em.

UPDATE: Um, sorry about that. The deal expired already. The price is still pretty good, assuming the headphones are good. Read the comments, do your research, caveat buyor. We’ve never used these ‘phones and have no knowledge of their quality.

Amazon.com: Wireless Bluetooth Headphones with NFC – Puresounds Foldable Wireless Head Phones (White) with Built in Microphone: Electronics.