OBsIV’s XIM4 console adapter... app based tuning is an important next step. (via XIM)
The XIM3 was amazing (see the tear-down)… does the XIM4 live up to the same standards?
Ask any gamer on the planet and they will tell you there are two factions that have been raging a debate with one another over the better part of two decades concerning which platform is the best for gaming, consoles or PCs. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, consoles such as the PS4 and Xbox One allow users to simply buy the game they want, pop it in and begin playing almost instantly with surprisingly good graphics. The graphics themselves however, cannot be changed to a higher resolution and players are restricted to using a limited set of peripherals and controllers. PC gamers on the other hand, buy the game, install it, download game patches, update hardware drivers and then roll the dice as to whether game servers are overloaded before they can play (Sim City anyone?). Not to mention the DRM that’s usually implemented requiring an online connection just to engage in single-player games. They are however, unrivaled when it comes to the game’s resolutions, which can be adjusted on a massive scale for ultra-realistic game-play.
PCs also have the advantage when it comes to input devices, controllers, keyboards and mice (as well as the Kinect) can all be used, which can give some gamers the advantage over others when playing against one another. In an effort to bring that particular advantage to console gamers, OBsIV developed a bridge of sorts that allows users to hookup a keyboard and mouse to their console flavor of choice. Known as the XIM (Xbox Input Machine), the device allows gamers to connect PC peripherals to their game consoles simply by plugging them in to the adapter via USB ports. Unlike the previous versions where a hardline connection to a PC was required, users can customize the controls to configure them for the game being played via an Android-based (running version 2.3.3) mobile device app. The reason behind the app is that console games have native input centered on the gaming pads, so in order for a keyboard and mouse to function correctly it uses new technology, known as Smart Translators, which requires a certain profile for said games. This includes the use of wireless peripherals as well, which can communicate with the console via a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection. Unfortunately for users that already own an older XIM device (XIM and XIM3) will not be able to use the new technology due to hardware limitations, however XIM Edge users will have limited availability with a reduced amount of configurations (or rather games). As it stands at this point, the XIM4 module is currently being tested for Xbox One users only and will eventually hit the market at some point this year. PS4 users will have to wait until the developers find a way to get the Smart Translators to work with the DualShock 4 controllers, which shouldn’t take too long.
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