But Creative and Sound Blaster have never given up the good fight. Are their Arena Surround gaming headsets a must have for PC gamers or just another added frill? Let's see.

Loved
Approaching Footsteps: What initially drew my interest to the Arena headphones was reading a review from someone who claimed that the quasi-cans actually improved their first-person shooter game. "Not for a minute," I thought. Then I tried them. Turns out they do, to a degree. I'm a camping sniper. I don't spawn camp, not by a long shot, but I do camp. And when I'm playing with my back to the stairs, or the roof, or what have you, I tend to grow paranoid. In the past I'd swivel around every few minutes to make sure there wasn't anyone back there... watching. Now I can actually hear someone creeping up on me. Their footfalls or shuffles giving them away as they try to creep up on me. It's pretty amazing.

Comfort: Extended PC gaming sessions often leave me with sore ears. That's because with wife and son, my late night gaming requires headphones. But these earpads are light and padded just right. The headset itself also features a comfy pad that rests on your head to hold them in place. And they're super light.

In-Line Volume and Mute: Simple and lit to show when it is muted, the USB cord also features an in-line, easy-to-use volume button.

Detachable Microphone: The swing-down boom microphone is at the end of a flexible piece of rubber and, the best part, you can easily pop it off if you don't plan on using it.

A Microphone That Listens: The Arena headsets features extra microphones on the boom that can be used for active noise cancellation while speaking to people. It's a neat feature that works great in noisy environments, but may be a bit too vigorous in your normal gaming setting.

Software Suite: There's a nice collection of software that comes with your headphones including an audio console and programs that can make your voice sound like a man, a woman, robots or orcs.

Hated
Price: $100 seems a bit steep for these lightweight, mixer-free headphones. But maybe I'm just stingy with how much I'm willing to spend on audio.

USB: It is, I think, often contradictory to sell USB headphones for gaming. The problem is that if you're using USB headphones then chances are some of your computer's resources are being needlessly sucked up. Also there's the issue that once you plug a USB headset in you can no longer use any sound card or speakers you have set up until you unplug the set.

While the lack of a mixer to fine-tune your audio experience is a bit of a bummer and the price a bit high, the excellent 3D positional surround sound is a huge plus. In the end you're going to have to decide how much processing power you're willing to give up via USB sound in favor of plug-and-play audio.

The Arena Surround USB Gaming Headset was developed by Sound Blaster for the PC. Retails for $99.99 USD. A pair of the headphones were given to us by the manufacturer for reviewing purposes. Used headphones for a variety of games, podcasts, and audio over the course of several months.

Confused by our reviews? Read our review FAQ.

It is strange to think that there is now an entire generation of gamers who never had to suffer the pain/thrill of holding on to one of these during a marathon gaming session. But now, thanks to retrogaming pushers Legacy - you may remember them from the Atari Flashback 2 - the Classic USB Joystick Controller can wreck current-gen wrists as well.

Ideal for MAME usage, this should work out of the box on Windows, OS X and Linux 'puters. Your tendons may not thank you, but for just $14.99 semi-authentic 1970s gameplay can be yours.

Man's Necessities: Air, Water, and USB Atari 2600 Joysticks [Gizmodo]

I had no idea this was such a common problem that someone would create and sell this sort of thing. Then again, I live in California where it's always 60 degrees and fair outside. But really, I think whomever made this did so just so people would look like total idiots playing wireless controllers with wired hands.

Awesome Gadget of the Week: USB Heated Gaming Gloves [Team Teabag]

This little gadget plugs snugly into one of your PS3's USB ports, looking for all the world like it was meant to be there. The hub not only adds three more USB ports, bringing the total to either 4 or 6 depending on which system you own, but it also adds a card reader slot that handles both SD cards and Sony's own memory sticks.

Very nicely done, Nyko. A peripheral that people actually need that doesn't screw with the form factor of the system. The Nyko Media Hub should be in stores next month with an MSRP of $19.95.

NYKO Media Hub Announced for the PlayStation 3™
Details Surface on Upcoming Three Port USB Hub with Multi-Card Reader

LOS ANGELES - July 2, 2008

Nyko Technologies®, the premier gaming peripherals manufacturer, today revealed details for its upcoming Media Hub for the PlayStation 3™. The Media Hub easily attaches to the console, adding three additional USB ports and a media card reader slot that supports SD cards and Memory Sticks. Compatible with all PS3 models, the Media Hub matches the color and contour of the system to expand its media capabilities while maintaining a clean form factor.

The all-new Media Hub from Nyko attaches to any available USB port and enables the connection of three additional USB devices including flash drives, PSP, MP3 players and additional controllers. Its unique design requires no tools or internal modifications, draws its power directly from the PS3, and easily installs in just seconds.

“We found that many of our customers who had purchased the popular 40 GB version of the PS3, which has less USB ports and no media card reader, were looking for an affordable solution to expand with these features,” said Chris Arbogast, Director of Marketing at Nyko Technologies. “With the Media Hub, an additional three USB ports and a media card reader are now possible for all PS3 models, allowing consumers to enjoy the full capabilities of their multimedia system no matter which model they choose.”

Nyko’s Media Hub for PS3 is expected to hit store shelves by August 2008 for the suggested retail price of $19.99. Please visit www.nyko.com for more information.

CONTRACT - Software/Hardware Tester

Description of Duties

—-> * Creating and executing a test plan for Wii’s USB devices <-—-
* Executing test plans with great attention to detail and documenting bugs
* Writing test procedure documents, gathering, and learning required software/hardware
* Reproducing bug reports and helping find work-arounds or resolutions

The talky-talk going around surmises that it involves USB HDDs to store all those swell WiiWare games Ninty's been pushing out. Me, I think it's a USB George Foreman grill, but then I don't represent the cutting edge of blog thought.

Nintendo Looking Into USB Attachments? [Nintencast, via Codenamerevolution and others]

So does it work? From what we can tell, you need to prod a real mouse in the right direction, and then your mind sort of takes care of the rest. So in one word—no.

OCZ to launch 'brain mouse': Neural Impulse Actuator for multi-core PCs [QJ Net]

Fortunately, I was wrong. I stopped by the Nyko suite yesterday at CES to get it from the source. Unfortunately, no working demo was available for me (of little faith) to try out, but the Nyko marketing dudes confirmed it flat out. Yes, the Nyko Play Adaptor will let you use your guitar controllers on the PlayStation 3, courtesy of a magical little toggle switch that solves the current hardware and software issues that are keeping thousands of PlayStation 2s still hooked up.

Hopefully, I'll get Nyko to get us a working sample. I currently have e-mails firing off every hour on the hour begging for one. Michael McWhertor

PS3 Charging Base, PS2 Controller Adapter Coming [Kotaku]

So, did Sony fix that niggling upscaling issue for PS3 owners who have 1080i support but not 720p? Hell no. Instead, the PS3 will now "automatically be displayed at the maximum resolution possible, according to the following order: 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p, Standard (NTSC)". Uh. Great?

On the plus side, support has been added for the Blu-ray remote control and USB peripherals"including steering wheels and flight sticks". Guitar Hero controller fix? Nah.

Additionally, under System Settings, a hard disk back up utility has been added to allow back up or restore of hard disk data. Interested parties should out the full statement after the jump for more info, while PS3 owners without 720p support should kindly piss off per Sony's request. Michael McWhertor

Sony Computer Entertainment America today introduced new features and settings to the PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3 ) computer entertainment system as part of the latest firmware update, version 1.30. Among the key updates is support for a Blu-ray Disc (BD) remote control and the ability to select the output format for BD/DVD video through an HDMI cable.

In addition to offering developers the ability to create more immersive games, the Blu-ray format delivers the ultimate in high-definition video through the highest resolution available today (1080p). Now PS3 owners can register a remote control for easier playback of movies on BD discs. The Bluetooth -enabled remote control will be available at retail later this month for $24.99. Also, to suit your TV's specification, you can now select the video output format (automatic, RGB, or Y Pb/Cb Pr/Cr) for Blu-ray disc playback using an HDMI cable.

In addition to the updates related to the Blu-ray player, firmware 1.30 includes the following.

- Selecting video output resolution has changed, allowing you to choose all the resolutions supported by the TV. The video will automatically be displayed at the maximum resolution possible, according to the following order: 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p, Standard (NTSC).

- Backup utility has been added as a feature under System Settings, enabling you to back up your PS3's hard disk data to storage media or restore data from storage media to the hard disk.

- USB peripherals designed for PlayStation 2 titles, including steering wheels and flight sticks, can now be used when playing PlayStation 2 games on the PS3 system.

To install the latest system software on your PS3 system, you can select the System Update feature, use a PC to download the update data and transfer it to the PS3 system through storage media or a USB mass storage device, or install it using update data included on a game disc. Further details are available at http://www.us.playstation.com/PS3/Network/Updates/default.html .

If you're one of "us", the XCM 360 XFPS (great name, guys) might be what you need. Here's what it supports (clearly English is not their first language):

We will release the XCM 360 XFPS very soon, the function of XCM 360 XFPS: 1.Can let your xbox 360 controller has auto fire function. 2.Compatible with PS 2 Dual shock 2 (you can use PS 2 Dual shock 2 controller on Xbox 360 console) 3.Compatible with PC mouse and keyboard, it might be able to use on Halo 3.

[SIC]

Keep in mind that not every game will support KB&M controls, so this may be a crap shoot. Pre-orders are open now, but I'd hold off for a solid review. Michael McWhertor

XCM Official Site [via MaxConsole]

You will be happy to hear that both the Playstation 2 keyboard by Logitech and the PS2's EyeToy work on the Playstation 3.

The keyboard, and I believe this is true of all USB keyboard, allows you to enter text in any text field and requires no set-up. You can go into the accessory settings on the console to tweak the settings if you'd like to, but you don't need to.

With the EyeToy, I plugged it into a USB port and went to Accessories and then Test Camera on the console's menu. In Test Camera it first said no device found, but a few seconds later a live image from the camera popped up with the words USB Camera next to it. This makes me think that any USB camera might work and that it's not the EyeToy specifically being detected.

I tried using the Xbox 360's Vision Camera and while it detected that a USB device was plugged in, it didn't work. Too bad, that would have been hilarious.

While the EyeToy sends live video to the PS3, I couldn't find anything to do with this ability, so I suppose we'll have to wait and see how they make use of it down the line. According to the online user manual for the PS3, once the network launches we will be able to both voice and video chat, so I suspect the EyeToy or any USB camera will work with that.

It's kinda cool that Sony left it open for gamers to use any USB device for things like the keyboard, camera and headset. I also love that you can use any Bluetooth headset with the console. Very neat. Brian Crecente

Emulation hound on the go-go? Check out this foldable, portable gamepad from Geekstuff4U.

Called simply the 'Pocket Gamepad', it's a stylish, silver-sprayed knock off of the SNES style controller, with an extra couple of trigger buttons for good measure. It also has programmable autofire. A detachable USB cable leads from the pad to your port.

It's a bit more pricy at $30.68 than I'd be willing to spend just to play some portable MAME shmups, but it's certainly a snazzy exercise in foldability. Florian Eckhardt

Pocket GamePad [Geekstuff4U] (via Racketboy)

So here's the list, according to the official press release, to clear matters up.

Both the 20 GB and 60 GB versions of the PS3 will include four USB 2.0 plugs, Bluetooth 2.0 support and wireless controller support.

Only the 60 GB version will have a built in MemoryStick/SD/Compact Flash Reader, though a rep told me that you can just plug a regual reader into the PS3 using a USB plug.

The 20GB will support ethernet, while the 60 GB will come with 802.11 b/g support.

Both versions will support 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i and 1080p output, though only the 60 GB version will have HDMI out. Both will also have AV multi-out and digital audio optical out.

Both versions will come with a read-only BD/DVD/CD Drive that can read Bluray at 2x, DVD at 8x and CD at 24x.

And for those wondering the device is 325 mm wide, 98 mm tall, 274 mm deep and weighs 5 kg.

The original spec sheet said the PS3 would have two HDMIs out and two ethernet ports, so not that much has been lost.

Hope that clears up at least a few things.