Anbernic’s New Wireless Controller Has a Screen and Heart Rate Monitor
▼ Summary
– Anbernic has announced a new wireless controller, the RG G01, which features upgrades like a front color display and a heart rate sensor.
– The built-in display allows for on-controller adjustments like remapping controls and programming macros without needing a separate app.
– The inclusion of a heart rate sensor is noted as questionable, given its limited use in games and a history of similar cancelled accessories.
– The controller offers extensive connectivity and compatibility, supporting Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, USB-C, and systems like Steam, Windows, Android, iOS, and Nintendo Switch.
– It includes advanced hardware features such as a six-axis gyroscope, electro-inductive capacitive joysticks, and dual-mode triggers with travel-limiting switches.
Anbernic has unveiled its second wireless controller, the RG G01, through a teaser video that showcases several intriguing upgrades over its predecessor. While pricing remains unannounced, the new model is expected to cost more than the budget-friendly $18 RG P01, largely due to the inclusion of a curved color display on the front and an integrated heart rate sensor. This controller aims to offer enhanced customization and unique features for a wide range of gaming platforms.
The built-in display is a central feature, allowing players to adjust settings, program complex macros, and remap controls directly from the gamepad itself. This eliminates the need to pause a game and connect to a separate app on a phone or computer. Four customizable buttons on the back can also be reconfigured using this screen, providing quick access to preferred commands. While not the first controller with a screen, this functionality adds significant convenience for gamers who frequently tweak their setup.
Another notable addition is the heart rate sensor, which appears to be embedded in the side grip of the controller. Its practical application in gaming, however, is currently unclear. Very few titles utilize biometric data, and historical attempts like Nintendo’s cancelled Wii Vitality Sensor demonstrate the niche nature of this feature. The RG G01 will display your heart rate on its screen and includes a pulse alarm, though specific details about what triggers this alarm have not been provided.
In terms of core performance, the controller is well-equipped. It supports both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless connectivity, with a USB-C cable option for a wired connection. Compatibility is broad, covering systems running Steam, Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, and Nintendo Switch consoles. For motion-controlled games, it incorporates a six-axis gyroscope. The joysticks use an “electro-inductive capacitive” design, and the dual-mode triggers feature switches on the back that shorten their travel distance. This allows for faster response times, addressing a notable omission from the earlier RG P01 model.
Anbernic has stated the RG G01 is “Coming Soon!” but has not provided a specific release date or final price point. The controller represents an ambitious step for the company, packing a screen and biometric sensor into a device that maintains extensive platform support and customizable controls.
(Source: The Verge)
