[Q] Does the pad have uses other than games?

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I was just wondering whether the pad has uses other than games? (navigating around the droid conventionally perhaps?)

Is there an app or perhaps already something added by SE into the PLAY that allows me to re-purpose the pad and it's buttons as say a shutter key or whatever else I might think of when not in game?

Does something have to be Xperia PLAY optimized for it to recognize the pad?

I'm asking these questions because I'm trying to decide between this and the Neo. I'm into emulation and gaming BUT that's not the only thing I do on a phone so I don't want to put up with all that extra bulk and a worse cam and no radio if the PLAY's only benefit over the Neo is all the PLAY optimized stuff. I'd then rather put up with struggling around on the touchscreen for the games like 95% of the other droid users out there, I'm sure the experience can't be that much worse.

Originally Posted by SCHUMI_4EVER

I was just wondering whether the pad has uses other than games? (navigating around the droid conventionally perhaps?)

Is there an app or perhaps already something added by SE into the PLAY that allows me to re-purpose the pad and it's buttons as say a shutter key or whatever else I might think of when not in game?

Does something have to be Xperia PLAY optimized for it to recognize the pad?

I'm asking these questions because I'm trying to decide between this and the Neo. I'm into emulation and gaming BUT that's not the only thing I do on a phone so I don't want to put up with all that extra bulk and a worse cam and no radio if the PLAY's only benefit over the Neo is all the PLAY optimized stuff. I'd then rather put up with struggling around on the touchscreen for the games like 95% of the other droid users out there, I'm sure the experience can't be that much worse.

Yeah the pad can be used for navigation of the UI. The X button is select and the O button is back. And trust me until you try it, you can't understand how bad gaming is on a touch screen compared to the play

Thanks but that's not quite enough.

Seems like my decision has been made for me anyways since locally the PLAY came in at a much higher price point than the Neo preventing it from being available on my contract (and putting it right in the firing line of the flagships if I were willing to pay extra) which mean it's just plain a no-go.

Eventually you can browse in websites with it, and some apps will recognize it as a joystick or a trackpad. Still, the Neo is better value for money if gaming is not your top priority.

Gaming is high on my list but the camera comes first. I'm not happy with the everyday 5MP phone cam and want something better and Neo's cam is definitely that even it's outclassed by other 8MP cams. I do tend to like passing the time playing games on my phone though, but o well, the PLAY has been priced out of my range anyways as I said.

PLAY is great for gamers

Not sure how neo looks but if your not into gaming neo and arc are wayyyy better =/

I used the XDA App to post this, what did you use?

I use the gamepad to navigate whilst browsing and to position the cursor much easier when typing.

If you want to emulate games, you have no chance of playing them on a touchscreen. Its not just bad, it's impossible.

Originally Posted by SCHUMI_4EVER

Gaming is high on my list but the camera comes first

That seals the deal. You're better off with a Neo.