Written by AndrewH
During CES 2015 Mad Catz announced the L.Y.N.X.9 mobile game controller which changed into something which would squeeze into your wallet, yet is also a full-sized game controller. Additionally, it had an attachment which was a keyboard, and three different modes depending on what you wanted to use it for – Mobile game mode, PC mode, multimedia mode. What Mad Catz has been doing is taken those features and created two separate products for anyone who want one or the other, not both.
L.Y.N.X.3
The company’s new mobile game controller is known as the L.Y.N.X. 3 and just like its higher numbered brethren (the L.Y.N.X.9), this controller transforms too. You can fold up so it can squeeze into your pocket, or unfold it right into a full-sized controller. It’s a Bluetooth controller so it works with anything it may connect with, whether that be the Mad Catz MOJO Android game console, Android TV, your Android phone or tablet, etc etc.
The L.Y.N.X.3 also has the same clip that allows you to attach your smartphone to it, so it’s a pleasant solid single unit. Additionally, it features exactly the same three modes because the L.Y.N.X.9 – PC mode, Mobile Game Mode, and Multimedia mode. The very first two are straightforward but multimedia mode lets you control video, music and other media using the controller (Play, Pause, Stop, and so on button functionality).
Lastly, the L.Y.N.X application, with a great deal of features including the capability to adjust sensitivity, may also be used with this controller which lets you assign mouse and keyboard profiles so you can switch between FPS, RPG, and so on button configurations quickly. What this controller doesn’t have is the keyboard docking the L.Y.N.X.9 has. That is what the S.U.R.F. is perfect for.
We’re thrilled using the attention the L.Y.N.X.9 has garnered and proud of the multiple ‘Best of CES’ awards received whenever we unveiled the new controller in January 2015. We’re excited to now introduce the L.Y.N.X. 3 as the newest member within the L.Y.N.X. range – a brand new mobile gaming controller made to convey exactly the same striking looks and Bluetooth? technology, at a price point which we believe will resonate strongly with passionate mobile gamers. -? Darren Richardson, President and Ceo of Mad Catz
The L.Y.N.X.3 will officially debut at MWC 2015. No word on pricing by yet although don’t be surprised it to be less than the L.Y.N.X.9. which is type of the whole point with this controller.
S.U.R.F.r
The S.U.R.F.r is essentially the keyboard dock in the L.Y.N.X.9 and made into its own product but with additional enhancements to really make it right into a game controller as well. So while you possess a full keyboard readily available for anything text-based, you may also utilize it to experience games. It’s wireless so it connects through Bluetooth even though it is mainly to be used with things like Android TV, Mad Catz MOJO console, Amazon Fire TV and so forth, you can use it together with your Android phone or tablet too.
It has all of the controller hardware you would expect a good controller to have – two analog sticks, four action buttons (A, B, X, Y), a D-Pad, two shoulder buttons. The interesting point about this design would be that the action buttons remain the best analog stick. It also comes with a clip to attach your Android phone to it. All the buttons could be switched to manage other media too like movies and music the same way the L.Y.N.X controllers can.
The S.U.R.F.r is also debuting at MWC 2015 and there is no word on pricing or shipping as of yet. You will find three different color schemes which will be available.
Both of those new peripherals do not have pre-orders as of yet but when it is anything like CES 2015, we should see them go live during MWC 2015. We they are doing, we’ll post an update with price information.
Official Website: Mad Catz L.Y.N.X.3 | Mad Catz S.U.R.F.r
