Thanks to an app that turns an Android phone into a more universal Bluetooth device, it is possible to control a PS3 with your Android phone as though it were a Bluetooth remote control. The connection allows the phone to be used as a virtual keyboard for entering text, and it even has a touchscreen trackpad for moving the cursor in the PS3's web browser.
The app, BlueputDroid, is in beta form right now, andis stilla bit tricky to use, as the list of supported Android phones is not exhaustive, some of the phones require custom firmware and once you get the app installed, there aretechnical hoops to work through. A list of believed supported and unsupported devices can be found onXDA-developers.com, where the app was introduced. It also has details on how to download the app for those who own a compatible Android handset.
The independent developer has tested it out on the Nexus One, HTC Wildfire, and LG Optimus One - all with rooted firmwares. He was not able to get it working on the Optimus One.
BlueputDroid isthe first app to allow a smartphone to pair up with the PS3 as an input device. There have been other Bluetooth apps for Android that more flexibility in syncing the phone to a computer, but this is the first working app for PS3 connectivity. If the dev can further refine the process and expand compatibility, we'll welcome the chance to use our phones to input PSN info or type in URLs - beats having a real keyboard tethered to your system, hm?
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Feb 28, 2011
