Rumble dropped from PS3 pad

Some more info regarding the PS3's new motion-sensing DualShock has emerged - including news that it won't feature any kind of rumble function.

Instead, you can expect a "six-axis sensing system", according to Sony - three for roll, pitch and yaw, and three for "3 dimension acceleration information" along the X, Y and Z axes.

DualShock 2's rumble feature has been dropped, says Sony, as the vibration "interferes with information detected by the sensor."

Other features of the controller include Bluetooth functionality for linking to the console itself. The L2 and R2 buttons have been enlarged, and now have "increased depth in stroke for more subtle control in games". In addition, the angle of the two joysticks has been slightly broadened.

The controller also features a USB port for wired control and charging. According to Sony, the cable can be attached and detached at any time (could this mean an end to those "Do not insert or remove peripherals while the console is turned on" messages? Which we've always obeyed religiously of course).

The new DualShock incarnation replaces the "boomerang" prototype Sony showed at last year's E3 when first announcing PlayStation 3 itself. The general consensus amongst the gaming community seemed to be that the "boomerang" design was "rubbish", which might just have influenced Sony's decision to go back to the original formula.

The PS3, in case you haven't heard by now, is down for a European release on November 17th, priced 499 Euros with a 20GB hard drive or 599 Euros for the 60GB model. That's just over £340 and just under £410 in the old money.