Eye Control Gaming at CES 2011

I predict a lot of eye strain if this becomes mainstream. I'll stick to my fingers and thumbs.

Sony to Unlicensed Controllers: F.U.

   You know that knockoff PS3 controller from Hong Kong that you bought for $10? The one with the fake Playstation logo and the rubbery d-pad? Thanks to Sony's recent firmware update to v3.50, that PS3 knockoff controller has been rendered obsolete. It won't work and the Playstation 3 won't recognize it as a controller. Sony's official word:

"SCEA does not support continued functionality of counterfeit or unlicensed controllers in system software updates and these devices may cease to function in the future because of system software updates."

   I normally support Sony but this is a nutty move. Locking out unlicensed controllers makes sense from a business perspective in that it forces consumers to purchase officially licensed controllers which Sony earns revenue and licensing revenue from to fill the corporate coffers. However, from a common sense standpoint, it creates a lot of pissed off customers who're going to be flooding Sony's customer help line with complaints that their knockoff controllers no longer work. That's a nightmare scenario for their phone staff as well as their online support staff who have to answer the same question from a few thousand people.