Gaming giant Valve made waves when it released its revolutionary trackpad-based Steam Controller last June after two years in the making.
Now, it’s looking to its community of users to help design accessories and alternative versions for the gamepad. The company has released its CAD files under a Creative Commons license so anyone can download, alter and extend them as they see fit.
Whether you have an idea for improving the controller’s ergonomics or creating an arcade-style button layout suitable for fighting games, you can now experiment with its official design files that are compatible with modeling software as well as 3D printers.
Valve has also included a couple of alternative designs for the controller’s battery door that can accommodate the USB wireless receiver dongle.
It’s a great way to extend the life and utility of the controller for gamers, while allowing the community to get involved and actively share their ideas.
However, it’s worth noting that while you can use these files to create and share your creations all you like, Valve says you’ll have to contact the company if you want to sell them.
Moov’s new fitness tracker will coach you through your workout
Moov has launched its new wearable fitness device – MOOV NOW – which is available for pre-order, with a limited number being sold at a discounted price of $59.99 instead of $99.99.
The band itself is designed to be lightweight and breathable, and is worn on the ankle as opposed to the wrist. It comes in Aqua Blue, Fusion Red, Blizzard White and Stealth Black colours.
MOOV NOW tracks your activity while you work out, and provides visual and audio feedback about your workout via the accompanying app .
For example, if you’re pounding the pavement too hard when you run, the device will advise you on how to land softer. Or if you’re moving too slow throughout your workout, it’ll tell you to pick up the pace.
MOOV NOW comes with 12 pre-programmed 7-minute workouts in its app, which it coaches you through while suggesting new techniques and ways to push yourself.
As well as monitoring your form and fitness, it also features a sleep tracker and a social platform where you can connect with your friends and share your workouts and activity levels.
While it doesn’t monitor your heart rate directly, MOOV NOW has support for third party heart rate monitors.
Interestingly, Moov has chosen not to include a rechargeable battery and has instead opted to go for a six month battery, which users will need to replace when it runs out.
➤ MOOV NOW
Read next: Jawbone UP3 review: A fully-featured activity tracker that refuses to stay on my wrist
Dell brings its edgeless display to the powerhouse XPS 15
Microsoft may have just unveiled an awesome laptop , but that doesn’t mean other hardware makers are staying behind. Dell just refreshed its laptop line-up , with the headline device being its new XPS 15 with an ‘edgeless’ display – and it might be the the smallest 15-inch laptop ever.
Though rumors about a Surface Pro 4 with an edgeless display didn’t come to fruition, Dell pioneered that design with the XPS 13 (they call it an ‘Infinity Edge,’ but it’s basically just ridiculously small bezels). Now it’s available on a larger screen, and it looks pretty darn sweet.
With a 15-inch panel, it’s definitely aimed at power users, backed up by its high-end specs: configurations are available with, a 4K touchscreen display, Core i7 Skylake processors, an Nvidia GeForce GTX 960M, 16 GB of RAM and a 1 TB PCIe SSD.
Those specs will run up the bill quickly, but pricing starts at just $1000 for the 1080p display model with a core i3 CPU and 8GB of RAM, and you can still get the dedicated graphics card with a $1200 i5 configuration. For comparison, you’ll have to shell out at least $1900 if you want dedicated graphics on the Surface Book.
Meanwhile, the company is also releasing the convertible XPS 12, which fits a ridiculously high density 4K display into a 12-inch panel with small bezels. It’s also refreshing its XPS 13 with Skylake CPUs and more storage and RAM options. Better yet, Dell claims the battery can last up to an insane 18 hours with the 1080p screen.
All the laptops include Thunderbolt USB-C ports, and according to WSJ , the company has also worked directly with Microsoft to improve its trackpads. Hopefully Microsoft joining the laptop game will spur other OEMs into making their products bette r too.
➤ Dell brings Windows 10 to Life with New XPS Devices [Windows 10 Blog]