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The single best wireless controller I’ve ever used

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The single best wireless controller I’ve ever used

Sean Hollister is a senior editor here at The Verge. He runs news, writes reviews, and edits stories, and he specializes in, as he puts it, “fun gadgets.” He goes on to say, “It hit me recently that I’m basically a big kid: I want to play. So now I try to spend most of my time toying with nerdy hardware and filming it weekly for you. Please tell me if you see something I absolutely must try!”

When we asked him to choose one of his favorite current gadgets, he volunteered to talk about the 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller.

Where did you first hear about the 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller?

Well, I heard about it in The Verge’s newsroom, and, frankly, I wanted to make fun of it right away because I thought it was bullshit. How could it be the “ultimate” controller if it only supports a single Bluetooth device at a time and has no interchangeable batteries, while the 8BitDo Pro 2 can switch between four different devices, supports both AAs and a rechargeable pack, and costs $20 less?

I was wrong about the controller, but not about the name: 8BitDo has made so many different “Ultimate” controllers that the word is meaningless. Importantly, the one I’m talking about is the Bluetooth and 2.4G version with Nintendo Switch compatibility and drift-resistant Hall effect sticks.

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When did you buy it, and what went into the decision to buy one?

Like so many of my favorite gadgets, I bought it when I realized I wanted to keep it. 8BitDo sent us one for review, and it’s Verge policy that our staff can’t accept anything of value from a company, even if they don’t want it back. As soon as we no longer have a valid editorial reason to keep it, it gets returned, donated, or given away (and not to our friends or relatives, either).

But I didn’t want to part with it, so I paid cash for my own.

Speaking of which, my review unit is currently in a review closet awaiting a reader giveaway — I’m hoping to ship it to some lucky Verge subscriber this summer or fall!

The bundled charging dock neatly turns the controller on and off when you dock and undock it.
Image: 8BitDo
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What do you like about it?

It’s the single best wireless controller I’ve ever used. It’s the best I’ve used for a PC, and it doubles as one of the top three for the Nintendo Switch, which, for me, easily makes it the best overall. I know that sounds like a high bar, but most of the competition falls short because most manufacturers seem to think PC gamers will either tolerate Bluetooth latency or wired USB cables instead of building a bulletproof 2.4GHz solution.

For over a decade, I’d sworn by Microsoft’s Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver for Windows because of its unmatched speed, reliability, and wireless range, but the 8BitDo Ultimate finally beat it — and without sacrificing proper rumble like so many wireless PC and Switch pads do. Plus, it adds an above average D-pad and magnetic Hall effect sticks that should last.

It’s one of the few controllers that can turn both a Nintendo Switch and a Steam Deck on from across the room, letting me laze on the couch while they’re docked to my TV — and a decent built-in gyroscope means I get gyro aiming on Steam Deck and Switch, too. (You hit power, then shake the controller to activate the wake-on-Bluetooth command.)

The battery life is excellent, too: I clocked over 33 hours of play across several months before needing to drop it back on its bundled charging dock, which also neatly turns the controller on and off when you dock and undock it.

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Is there anything about it that you dislike or that you think could be improved?

I would definitely pay $10 more for a version that could pair to more Bluetooth devices, so I don’t have to disconnect from my Steam Deck when I connect to my Switch and vice versa. I suppose I could leave the 2.4GHz dock plugged into my Steam Deck dock, but I prefer to keep it connected to my desktop PC.

I’d also like to be able to remap the two back buttons without plugging the controller into a PC and using special software. The new Ultimate 2 and 2C do that, but I don’t need any of the other new features like LED lighting, adjustable triggers, or extra buttons.

Who would you recommend it to?

Do you have a PC and a Switch or Steam Deck? At its typical $50 sale, buy this gamepad. Do you only have a Switch and don’t care for how the Switch Pro controller feels? Buy this gamepad. But if you primarily play on home consoles, phones, tablets, etc., then don’t buy it.

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I also have an 8BitDo Pro 2 that I prefer to stuff into a bag for on-the-go use, and Mechanism makes a great grip for it that you can pair with its Phone Mount to magnetically attach it to your phone.

Is there anything I should have asked that I didn’t?

Have I used the Ultimate 2C, which can be had for just $25-$30 with most of the same features and a few enhancements but has half the battery capacity and doesn’t come with a dock? No, I have not, as I’ve been completely satisfied with the Ultimate Bluetooth. At half the price, it might be the better pick, just so long as pastel colors are your thing.

Top-down shot of 8BitDo Ultimate Controller on an orange and yellow background. The controller has an asymmetric joystick design, like an Xbox or Switch Pro controller, and it’s black, with white legends on the A B X Y buttons.Top-down shot of 8BitDo Ultimate Controller on an orange and yellow background. The controller has an asymmetric joystick design, like an Xbox or Switch Pro controller, and it’s black, with white legends on the A B X Y buttons.

$50

The 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller comes with its own charging dock, features remappable controls, and is compatible with the Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and Windows PCs thanks to its Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connectivity. Unlike the 2.4GHz-only version, it features drift-free Hall effect sticks.

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Sony’s souped-up PlayStation 5 Pro is $100 off for the rest of today

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Sony’s souped-up PlayStation 5 Pro is 0 off for the rest of today

Sony’s full suite of PlayStation 5 consoles jumped in price in August due to increased US tariffs, but now through Christmas, you can save $100 on several models. This discount is especially great if you planned to go big with Sony’s PS5 Pro, the company’s priciest, most powerful console yet. Normally $749.99, you can currently grab one at Amazon, Walmart, and Target for around $689.99. Sony’s PlayStation Direct storefront indicates that the PS5 Pro sale ends on December 25th at 3AM ET, although discounts may remain on cheaper models.

The PS5 Pro plays many games at their best resolution, while making far fewer concessions than the standard PS5 when it comes to visual effects (particularly ray tracing and shadow quality). Some games simply look better or run faster on the Pro than the base-model PS5, while others look better and run faster. That said, it’s worth noting that PS5 Pro lacks a disc drive and is thus limited to digital titles, though you can buy an optional drive for $80 if you want to attach one later.

The PlayStation 5 Pro has a bigger GPU than any other PS5 model, with twice as much internal storage as the current slim models (2TB versus 1TB). Another notable feature exclusive to the Pro is PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution), which uses AI to upscale graphics in supported games to produce a better-looking image. The difference in performance between the Pro and the base PS5 is easy to notice in several games, although it’s safe to say that there hasn’t yet been a title that makes upgrading to one a no-brainer. But if a lower price is all the encouragement you needed to upgrade, now is a good time to get one.

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3D-printed housing project for student apartments takes shape

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3D-printed housing project for student apartments takes shape

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A quiet town in western Denmark is quickly becoming a testing ground for the future of housing.

Skovsporet, described as Europe’s largest 3D-printed housing project, is now taking shape in Holstebro. When finished, the development will deliver 36 student apartments built faster than many single-family homes.

The project sits near VIA University College and serves students in the area. NordVestBo, an affordable housing organization focused on student living, commissioned the development. SAGA Space Architects designed the project in collaboration with 3DCP Group and COBOD. From the beginning, the goal stayed simple and ambitious. Build high-quality homes faster, more efficiently and at a scale traditional construction often struggles to reach. So far, the progress speaks for itself.

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AUSTRALIA DEBUTS FIRST MULTI-STORY 3D PRINTED HOME – BUILT IN JUST 5 MONTHS

The six buildings are arranged around shared outdoor areas, creating a village-style layout designed for student life. (SAGA Space Architects)

How 36 student apartments were printed at record speed

Skovsporet includes six buildings, and each one holds six ground-level student apartments. Crews printed the structures on site using the COBOD BOD3 3D construction printer. The machine extrudes a cement-like material layer by layer, following a digital blueprint with millimeter accuracy. 

At first, printing a single building took several weeks. However, productivity improved quickly as the team gained experience. By the final building, printing wrapped up in just five days. That pace equals more than one student apartment printed per day. 

Even more notable is the small crew required to run the system. Only three people operated the printer on site. As a result, automation handled the heavy work while the team focused on oversight, quality and precision.

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Inside the 3D-printed student apartments

Each apartment measures roughly 431 to 538 square feet. Despite their compact footprint, the layouts feel open and intentional. Every unit includes a full kitchen, a study area, a lounge, a bathroom with a shower and a bedroom with a double bed. Large roof windows and slanted ceilings pull daylight deep into the space, helping soften the concrete structure. Inside, coated plywood panels and glass elements add warmth and contrast. The result feels modern and livable rather than industrial. These homes are designed for daily student life, not just architectural headlines.

AFFORDABLE 3D-PRINTED BIONIC ARM USES MUSCLE SIGNALS TO MOVE

Why 3D printed construction is changing how housing gets built

The real story at Skovsporet is not just speed. It is repeatability. As the team moved from one building to the next, efficiency improved without sacrificing quality. The BOD3 printer runs on a ground-based track system that allows uninterrupted printing of long wall sections. That consistency makes it easier to scale multi-unit housing projects. 

According to COBOD, this kind of automation reduces labor needs, shortens timelines and improves accuracy. For cities facing housing shortages, those benefits matter.

How sustainability is built into this 3D printed housing project

Skovsporet also shows how 3D printing supports more sustainable construction. The walls were printed using D.fab concrete with FUTURECEM, a low-carbon cement developed by Aalborg Portland. Because the printer deposits material only where it is structurally needed, waste drops significantly compared to traditional methods. The site layout also preserved 95% of the existing trees by carefully positioning print beds between them. In other words, faster construction did not come at the cost of environmental care.

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A COBOD BOD3 printer extrudes concrete layer-by-layer on site, forming the structural walls of Skovsporet’s student apartments with millimeter precision. (SAGA Space Architects)

What happens next for Denmark’s 3D-printed student housing

The 3D printing phase is now complete. Human crews have taken over to install roofs, windows, interiors, furniture and utilities. Landscaped gardens, walking paths and bicycle parking are also underway to create a shared village atmosphere. The project remains on schedule, with residents expected to move in by August 2026.

WORLD’S BIGGEST 3D-PRINTED SCHOOLS ARE UNDERWAY IN QATAR

What this means for you

If you care about housing affordability, this project is worth watching. Skovsporet proves that automation can deliver student housing faster while keeping quality high. It also hints at what could come next. Multiunit housing built with fewer workers, less waste and shorter timelines could ease pressure in crowded cities. While 3D-printed homes will not replace traditional construction overnight, they are clearly moving into the mainstream. For students, renters and communities, that shift could open the door to more accessible housing options.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Skovsporet is more than a construction milestone. It is a real-world example of how digital design, automation and sustainability can come together at scale. As Europe, the United States and Australia explore similar projects, this student village in Denmark may become a blueprint for future neighborhoods.

Printed concrete walls rise quickly across six buildings, showing how automation helped crews complete more than one apartment per day. (SAGA Space Architects)

If homes can be printed faster, cheaper and with less waste, what other parts of daily life are ready for the same kind of rethink? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Trump administration bars former EU official and anti-disinformation and hate researchers from US

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Trump administration bars former EU official and anti-disinformation and hate researchers from US

On Tuesday, the Trump Administration followed through on a threat of retaliation targeting foreigners who are involved in content moderation. The State Department announced sanctions barring US access for former EU commissioner Thierry Breton, as well as four researchers, while issuing an intentionally chilling threat to others, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio claiming, “The State Department stands ready and willing to expand today’s list if other foreign actors do not reverse course.”

One of the researchers the State Department says is banned and now deportable, is Imran Ahmed, who runs the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), an organization aimed at identifying and pushing back against hate speech online that Elon Musk tried and failed to censor with a lawsuit that was dismissed in early 2024. In his decision, Judge Charles Breyer wrote that X’s motivation for suing was to “punish CCDH for CCDH publications that criticized X Corp. — and perhaps in order to dissuade others.”

The other researchers include Anna-Lena von Hodenberg and Josephine Ballon, leaders of HateAid, a nonprofit that tried to sue X in 2023 for “failing to remove criminal antisemitic content,” as well as Clare Melford, leader of the Global Disinformation Index, which works on “fixing the systems that enable disinformation.”

The press release announcing the sanctions is titled “Announcement of Actions to Combat the Global Censorship-Industrial Complex,” the claimed target of Republicans like House Judiciary Committee leader Jim Jordan, as they’ve worked against attempts to apply fact-checking and misinformation research to social networks. Earlier this month, Reuters reported the State Department ordered US consulates to consider rejecting H-1B visa applicants involved in content moderation, and a few days ago, the Office of the US Trade Representative threatened retaliation against European tech giants like Spotify and SAP over supposedly “discriminatory” activity in regulating US tech platforms.

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