Sony developing a multi-console controller

In today’s living rooms there are often several electronic devices that require remote controllers: TV, cable receiver, home theater, DVD player, Blu-ray player, DVR and so on. The number of these devices and the need to constantly switch from one remote to another gave way to the creation of universal remote controllers.

Now, many households face a similar problem with video game consoles. It sounds really fun having an Xbox 360, a PS3 and a Wii. You get the best of all worlds but you also could get a sizable collection of controllers to add to your already big list. If you regularly play with someone, you are stuck with six new controllers lying around your TV area.

Taking a cue from universal remotes, Sony seems to be working on a universal controller for consoles. According to a patent filed August 2008, Sony is working on a device with an touch sensitive LCD that would allow for different controller layouts. The buttons for each different console would appear on the LCD depending on the selection and the device would serve as a regular controller for that console.

This sounds like a great idea if Sony can pull it off, although there are some areas where issues could arise. Each console works with a different communications protocol, so I’m not sure if Microsoft and Nintendo are going to freely open theirs for Sony’s profit. Also, the most important part of a controller is its responsiveness, so I have some doubts about the performance of a touch screen in this respect.

A universal controller for consoles would be a great gadget to have around and Sony is no noob on electronics, so let’s hope they step up to the challenge. Maybe they can also include a regular universal controller in the device and that would be one awesome gadget.

Read [CNET] Also read [PC World]