DualShock 4 Adapter Release Date: Sony Announces Controller Support For PlayStation Now


The DualShock 4 adapter for PC and Mac has official release dates scheduled. According to PlayStation LifeStyle, the adapter will be available in Europe on September 15, and U.S. customers will see it hit shelves September 19. GameStop has confirmed the U.S. release date on their order page.

The DualShock 4 adapter is a Bluetooth dongle that plugs into a free USB port on Macs and PCs allowing the use of the controller on those systems. Use of the DualShock on computing platforms is nothing new. Since Sony began offering PC and Mac support for Remote Play, the controller has seen significant use on computers. Even before that, third-party applications have been available for years that allow the use of DualShock controllers on computers. However, the functionality has always been somewhat limited.

For example, when Remote Play for PCs and Macs first launched, the app had icons on the screen for the PS, Options, and Share buttons because those buttons were not recognized. Since then the app has changed, and those buttons now work through the software, yet the app still has the icons.

Another limitation is that unless the computer has Bluetooth and can pair with the DualShock, users must tether to the desktop via USB cable. Bluetooth wireless support for the PlayStation’s controllers has been hit and miss. Reliably using the device on a computer often means giving up the wireless convenience.

The release of the DualShock 4 adapter will bring wireless reliability to the desktop. In addition to adding connectivity to computers without Bluetooth, the adapter will support all functions of the controller, so even those who are already using the device wirelessly may want to consider the purchase.

According to the Verge, “Sony says the dongle opens up full access to ‘buttons, analog sticks, touch pad, light bar, motion sensors, vibration, and stereo headset jack’ — so long as those features are all supported by whatever game application you’re using. Now the controller’s full capabilities will be unlocked.”

While the Verge compliments Sony for “being more active across platforms,” the company certainly has motives other than eliminating the need for third-party support for the controller. It is more likely that Sony is offering this support in order to boost another product that it offers.

The Netflix-like service PlayStation Now currently offers streaming PS3 games to PS4 users. However, Sony is opening the subscription service to the PC platform. PlayStation LifeStyle reports that PlayStation Now has already begun service in the UK, Belgium, and the Netherlands. While the company has not announced a U.S. release date yet, it is not unreasonable to assume that the service will be offered within the next couple of weeks. After all, the release date of the adapter in Europe and the United States is only four days apart.

When PlayStation Now for PC goes live in the U.S., users will have access to over 400 PS3 games that they can stream directly to their PC. When it first launched, PlayStation Now was a rental service with rates between $1.99 to $14.99 for a 90-day rental. Due to user demand, the service is now subscription-based with a one-month subscription costing $19.99 and a quarterly rate of $44.99, according to the PlayStation Blog. Sony also offers a seven-day free trial subscription for those who wish to try it before committing.

The seven-day trail is a good idea to be certain that the device you would like to use is compatible with the service. According to Wired, the PS Now requires the following.

  • Windows 7 (SP1), 8.1 or 10
  • 3.5GHz Intel Core i3 or 3.8GHz AMD A10 processor (minimum)
  • 2GB RAM
  • 300MB storage space to install the client
  • A broadband connection with at least 5Mbps throughput

Wired also notes that while the DualShock 4 adapter will be compatible with Apple computers, the PlayStation Now service is only going to be available on the Windows platform. Remote Play is still an option for Mac, but would not be an ideal workaround to get PS Now to work on a Mac. The burden of streaming a game to the PS4 on top of streaming the PS4 content to the Mac would likely be too much to bear for most internet connections.

The DualShock 4 is a good, all-around controller that is comfortable to use. Whether you are planning on getting a PlayStation Now subscription or not, the DualShock 4 adapter may be something to look into if you are in the market for a PC controller. You can pick one up on September 19 from most retailers for $24.99. You may also pre-order one from GameStop and have it shipped to you on that date, or you may opt to pick it up at the closest GameStop location. As for PlayStation Now for PC, no release date is set for U.S. availability. However, look for it to be coming very soon, perhaps before the end of August.

[Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images]

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