Xiaomi gamepad - play on TV BOX and PC. Xiaomi Gamepad making a game console from a phone, tablet, media player Go to the main menu
Mobile games have made an impressive leap in their development in recent years. The level of productivity of smartphones and tablets has long since reached a point where it has opened the door for developers to create truly interesting and advanced gaming applications and allowed these pocket assistants to completely displace portable consoles from the market. But even if consoles have taken a backseat in terms of sales volumes, they still have an undeniable trump card up their sleeve - ease of control. After all, for a comfortable game in such hits as Need for Speed, Grand Theft Auto, World of Tanks Blitz, FIFA, etc. The capabilities of the touch screen are not always enough. Today we will look at a universal solution to this problem from, perhaps, one of the most ambitious companies in the mobile electronics market - the Chinese Xiaomi.
Xiaomi has earned its reputation as a manufacturer of inexpensive and high-quality mobile devices thanks to its affordable Redmi and Mi smartphone lines. Many also know the brand for its wide line of various mobile accessories, which starts with ordinary headphones and portable batteries, and ends with something extraordinary like a USB fumigator. Announced in 2015, the Xiaomi Mi Bluetooth Gamepad became the first and remains the only gamepad in the Chinese giant’s product range.
The peculiarity of the controller is that it is designed to work specifically with devices based on the Android operating system (smartphones, tablets, smart TVs), although after simple software manipulations and the purchase of a Bluetooth adapter it can connect to most PCs running Windows OS. The gamepad is equipped with a three-axis accelerometer made by Bosch, two vibration feedback motors and is completely wireless, which is pretty good for a price of $16 (about $25 in Ukraine).
Mi Bluetooth Gamepad comes in a medium-sized cardboard box. Those who have purchased Xiaomi products before will easily recognize the familiar minimalistic eco-style packaging.
Inside there is a shaped niche that securely holds the contents during transportation. At the same time, there is nothing special to note there - there is no delivery kit as such.
In addition to the hero of the review, inside the box there is only a small instruction manual in Chinese and a pair of ordinary AA batteries.
Upon a quick inspection, it becomes obvious that when choosing the shape for the Mi Bluetooth Gamepad, Xiaomi engineers inherited the appearance of the reference Microsoft Xbox 360 Controller. This is evidenced by the asymmetrical arrangement of the sticks, the presence of a cross-shaped D-pad and the borrowing of the ABYX button designation system.
At the same time, they only partially succeeded, since in the hands the gamepad still feels a little different. First of all, the implementation of triggers differs, which are more reminiscent of those in the Sony DualShock. Two characteristic holes are visible on the end face. Most likely, they are intended for attaching a phone holder, although I was unable to find a similar accessory on the Xiaomi website.
The exact dimensions of the case are 156x104x65 mm. The handles are oblong and rounded, allowing you to hold the controller with different grips. In general, the ergonomics of the Mi Bluetooth Gamepad are at a good level and it is easily suitable for players with both large and small hands.
It is worth noting the high build quality and choice of materials for key elements. For example, the ABYX button block and crosspiece are made of glossy plastic, similar to the same competitor from Microsoft. But if in the case of the Xbox 360 Controller this often leads to slipping of the fingers (especially with wet palms), here it is the other way around - the surface is in excellent contact with the skin even when there is moisture on it.
The remaining five buttons have a smooth matte texture. The upper part of the sticks is additionally covered with a rough layer of rubber.
On the back of the case you can see a slot for two batteries.
The manufacturer claims that the charge of one set will be enough to maintain 80 hours of operation. These data are close to real, since after two weeks of intensive tests, a pair of Ansmann batteries with a capacity of 2700 mAh showed 25% residual charge.
The central button with the Mi logo engraving is responsible for turning the controller on and off. It is also designed to activate the Bluetooth 3.0 module and connect to compatible devices.
The connection procedure itself is very simple and is performed in two steps. First, you need to activate Bluetooth on your smartphone or tablet by holding down the Mi key for a few seconds and waiting until it starts blinking characteristically. After that, in the list of devices, select the line signed in Chinese - this is the gamepad from Xiaomi. With further use, the controller will be detected automatically.
Testing in the Android operating system environment was carried out on several mobile devices at once: Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 smartphone (Android 5.0 Lollipop), HTC One M7 smartphone (Android 6.0 Marshmallow) and Xiaomi MiPad 2 tablet (Android 5.1 Lollipop). The test applications were a set of diverse games consisting of eight applications: Real Racing 3, Dead Trigger 2, Dungeon Hunter 5, Gunslugs Free, GT Racing 2, Asphalt 8: Airborne, FIFA 15 Soccer Ultimate Team, World of Tanks Blitz.
These games easily detected the presence of a new control device and switched the control menu to the appropriate mode. In most games, the user also has access to a button reconfiguration section, where you can set the combination of symbols that is most convenient for you.
Subjectively, it would be justified to use a controller in conjunction with a gaming tablet, especially if it has a functional smart cover. Then you can sit back comfortably in your chair and feel all the benefits of advanced control options: smooth gas and brakes in races thanks to the use of triggers, organizing quick attacks in FIFA thanks to the use of sticks and full buttons, etc.
Of the obvious shortcomings of the Mi Bluetooth Gamepad, only two points can be highlighted here: the vibration motors remained silent in all gaming applications, and there was also a certain difficulty in adjusting the gun along the vertical axis in World of Tanks Blitz when playing on a tank. Attempts to fix any of the problems by installing auxiliary programs for setting up the gamepad, unfortunately, were futile.
For tests in a Windows environment, an HP Pavilion 15 laptop was used. As mentioned earlier, the controller can be connected to a desktop PC via an ordinary Bluetooth adapter. The connection procedure is no different from that in the Android OS and takes no more than 30 seconds.
It is worth remembering that the Mi Bluetooth Gamepad is not designed to work as part of the Windows platform, so it does not support the XInput standard, which is important today. In order for the gamepad to be detected in computer games, you will need to install and configure one of the Xbox 360 controller emulators, for example, Xbox 360 Controller Emulator. After this, the controller can be used in approximately 90% of current gaming applications.
I tested it in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag and Mortal Kombat, where it worked without a single glitch and proved to be no worse than the Speed-Link Torid used at home. The exception was the racing arcade Burnout Paradise, where The Xiaomi product could not be connected.
As for other platforms (iOS and consoles), the Mi Bluetooth Gamepad is not worth considering. For iOS, a lengthy setup procedure and jailbreak will be required, and the gamepad is completely incompatible with consoles, as was demonstrated by the example of the Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3 and Sony PlayStation 4 consoles.
conclusions
If you are a hardcore gamer and cannot see life without full-fledged gaming even on mobile devices, then Mi Bluetooth Gamepad is your choice. It is made of high-quality and well-selected materials, has an ergonomic shape and a simple connection procedure to all products based on Android OS. If you are looking for a controller for use as part of a home PC, then there is cause for thought. The well-known gamepads Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, Logitech Gamepad F710, Speed-Link Torid and others act as direct competitors. All of them natively support XInput, which means they are guaranteed to work in all current games and will not require the use of software emulators. At the same time, the price for them ranges from 35 to 65 dollars, while the Xiaomi solution can be purchased from us for $25-27 or ordered directly from China, thereby reducing the price to per unit.
We would like to express our gratitude to the online store for providing a test sample of the Mi Bluetooth Gamepad for review.
With more powerful hardware and better screens than ever, Android phones and tablets are quickly becoming affordable devices for gaming. The touch screen is great for simple games, but the wireless joystick will help you master action, racing, and even RPG games! In our review we will look at a worthy representative of the family of wireless Bluetooth joysticks - Xiaomi Mi Game Controller Bluetooth!
Modern Android games are quite convenient to play, but when it comes to action, racing or strategy games, a joystick will make your control much easier.
Wireless controllers for Android are not new, but this joystick deserves special attention. After all, this is Xiaomi, a company that does not make bad products. Their wireless Bluetooth gamepad is a cross between an Xbox One gamepad and a PS4 controller. The design and button layout are from the Xbox, and its triggers are clearly PlayStation.
A review of the Xiaomi gamepad will be of interest to those who, in their free time from work and household chores, like to kill monsters, play football or drive a sports car, all while lying on the couch in front of a large TV. In this review, I will test the gamepad on different platforms: Android consoles, a Windows computer, and a Sony game console. Disassembly is present.
Video version of the review
I’m just one of those who like to relieve stress, and just take a break from everyday life by playing a good game with a joystick in my hands. For this, I have an old, but quite up-to-date Sony Play Station 3 console. But recently, many good games have begun to come out on the Android operating system. I don’t like playing serious games on my smartphone; I don’t like the controls. And it’s much more pleasant to do it on the big screen. For this purpose, a gamepad from Xiaomi was chosen, which, in conjunction with the TV box, turns the box for watching videos into a game console.
The connection takes place via bluetooth 3.0. The gamepad is powered by 2 AA batteries. One pair of batteries is promised for 80 hours of play. Let's check it out :)
The packaging is standard for Xiaomi - thick cardboard. In my case, the box arrived with greasy stains from my fingers, probably the Chinese ate a greasy pie during shipping.
There is a minimum of information on the packaging. Model number and serial number.
In addition to the gamepad, the box contains only a small booklet in Chinese.
The gamepad is located in a special niche, which protects it well from all sides from the brutality of postal workers. It was also covered with a protective film, which I removed after unpacking.
Appearance, materials, build quality are at the highest level. Holding it in your hands, you can feel the thoughtfulness of every detail. The buttons are pressed softly, the joysticks react to the slightest change in the axis. If you shake it thoroughly, it will not make a single sound, nothing will wobble, the buttons are installed tightly. Even in comparison with the original Sony PS3 gamepad, it feels much better. The controls are located ergonomically: the left joystick is shifted to the top, the cross is located below it. Right joystick in the thumb area, A, B, X, Y buttons above it. In the center is the "MI" button, next to the menu and back buttons.
On the back in the usual place there are 2 triggers and 2 shifters.
Thanks to its well-thought-out shape, it fits very comfortably in your hand.
At the bottom is the battery compartment.
By the way, the kit included 2 batteries.
The issue of nutrition is quite controversial. Personally, I prefer it when the battery is built-in, like on the PS3. On the one hand, it discharges faster, but I can always insert the cable from the console into it and continue playing while it charges. Here you need to have a spare set of batteries, otherwise if it suddenly runs out in the middle of a game, you will be in trouble.
On the other hand, you can buy AA batteries and get a large capacity that will last for many tens of hours of play. But these are additional costs. Normally, we are provided with about 80 hours of play from one set. But this is ideal - the batteries should not be cheap, vibration in the game should be disabled, etc. In reality, it lasts an average of 20 hours of play, which is also not little. Considering that I can’t play more than 2-3 hours a week, one set lasts me at least 2-3 months. That makes it easier for me to buy batteries. If you are an avid gamer, then definitely the battery.
And here is a photo in comparison with a PS3 gamepad. Xiaomi is a little larger, but it’s much more convenient to play with.
There is a sticker with the serial number hidden under the batteries.
Now let's analyze it. To do this, you need to unscrew 4 screws, then carefully use a credit card to open 4 latches: 2 in the upper part and one on the sides.
The fee is very neat. All controls are soldered smoothly, there are no traces of soldering - no flux.
Joysticks can be repaired if necessary; I saw on Ali that they are sold separately.
Vibration motors with different loads to achieve different effects.
Let's move on to the most important thing - testing in games. In the beginning - Android. Turn on the bluetooth connection, hold down the MI button on the gamepad until it starts blinking quickly.
The games Dungeon Hunter 4 and Dungeon Hunter 5 were also tested. In them, everything also works automatically, without any settings. Only a certain nuance has surfaced - when a mouse is connected at the same time, control sometimes disappears, so the mouse needs to be turned off.
Overall it works great on Android. But there is no vibration in any game, most likely the games themselves do not support it. But it is available on PC games and I’m moving on to testing them. It’s worth saying right away that to work normally with a PC without any dancing with tambourines, you need to download a special application Xiaomi Gamepad to Xbox 360 controller Mapper. Without it, not all games will work. And with this application there are no problems at all, just run the mi.exe file and play. There's even vibration!
I tested a couple of toys, the first one is Fifa 2014 - everything works perfectly.
And the second is adventures with Lara Croft. The vibration works, the controls are convenient, no settings are required.
The last thing I tested was the operation of the gamepad with the PS3 console. I already read earlier that it does not work with this console, but hope dies last. The console detects the device and even connects to it, but that’s all - the controls don’t work either in the menu or in games. It’s a shame, because I like Xiaomi better than the original dual shocks.
So, in my opinion, Xiaomi has released an excellent product with virtually no flaws. Personally, I would like to see a built-in battery in it, but otherwise everything is very good.
On January 20, Xiaomi showed the world its first gamepad that connects via Bluetooth 3.0. The manufacturer promised the ability to connect the gamepad to a smart TV, TV box, smartphone or tablet on Android. The dimensions of the Xiaomi Gamepad are 156x104x65mm and weight 220 g. Bluetooth can be heard within a radius of 10 meters, and inside there are 2 vibration motors and a three-axis accelerometer. Claimed battery life is 80 hours.
The parcel arrived in a white postal bag. 
The box was not additionally packed. Moreover, it turned out to be already opened. What the hell is this? In the upper right corner is the Mi icon. 
On the reverse side there are only such inscriptions. 
We remove the top part of the box and under this cover there is a strip of black foam rubber, probably so that the sticks are not damaged during transportation. 
The hero of the review himself is completely black. The case material is matte plastic, some of the buttons are glossy. 
The instructions are completely in Chinese, there is no point in it. 
That's it, there's nothing else in the kit. The batteries were even squeezed out by the store :( 
In the middle of the joystick, to the left is the Return button, and to the right is the Menu button. Between them is the Mi button. By pressing it, the gamepad turns on and it also establishes a connection with other devices. To do this, you need to hold it down until it starts blinking quickly. Constantly glows white during operation, it will be visible in the video. 
The plastic is pleasant to the touch, there are no complaints about the build quality. Everything is assembled with high quality, there are no backlashes. 
On the front side there are buttons L1, L2 and R1, R2. There are 2 grooves between these buttons and 1 more at the bottom near the battery compartment. It seems to me that they will release a separate phone holder. 
On the bottom side is the battery compartment, the same groove and 4 screws. 
Xiaomi gamepad runs on 2 AA batteries. 
I turned on Bluetooth on the phone and turned on the Mi button on the gamepad. 
Phone iNew v1 MTK6582 Android 4.4.2 
The operation of the gamepad and compatibility with Xbox, iOS, PS3, and Android tablet can be seen in the video review, and now I, knowing how much all the locals love it, will move on to dismemberment.
We unscrew 4 screws from the bottom side, carefully separate the bottom and top parts: there are latches. 
The board is beautiful and clean. 
Motor markings 
By the way, the number of plates on the motor rods is different. Who knows why? 
Near the left stick 
Near the right stick 
And a few more photos 
At the end I would like to add. If a game on Android does not support a gamepad (WoT blitz, for example), then you can configure it using the Tincore program. The only thing is that the phone must be rooted. And this is ideal for Android: it works out of the box and you don’t need to configure anything additional.
If you want to connect to iOS, you will have to work hard. From the appstore you can play weak arcade games, I thought using ipega as an example, for this we enter icade in the search. Then we go to bluetooth on the iPhone and I just pressed: home+b and more - nothing helped to connect. There is a way to play normally, but it won’t suit everyone. First you need to jailbreak, then install Controllers for all. It is with the help of this tweak that gamepads are connected. I don't have jailbreak.
I couldn't connect to the Xbox at all. To play on a computer or laptop, you must first download Xbox360ce. 
On the PS3, the console detected the gamepad and it connected, but the PS3 did not respond to the Xiaomi gamepad buttons... 
What conclusion can I draw? The gamepad is of high quality: the buttons work perfectly, there are no backlashes, the plastic feels pleasant to the touch. Bluetooth works up to 10 meters, but I don’t know what kind of TV you need to have so that such a distance is not enough. I did not test the operation of 2 vibration motors in games: I crashed, exploded, killed, but the motors vibrated only when paired with another device. For Android, I think it’s an excellent option, the only thing someone might not like is the placement of the sticks like in Xbox. I recommend purchasing it for games on Android devices.
Video review with gameplay.
The location of the controls on board the Xioami gamepad clearly hints at its similarity to the Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Controller game pad. The similarity is once again confirmed by the functionality of the R2 and L2 keys, which in fact are able to recognize the force of pressing (can be useful for smoothly adjusting the gas and brake in racing).
Compatibility
First of all, the manipulator is designed to work in tandem with devices based on Android OS (smartphones, tablets, TVs). But in tandem with iOS or Windows, it will also work like a charm. In particularly difficult cases, it is always possible to use special applications to connect the gamepad to a third-party device, for example, Tincore (for recognition by mobile games) or x360c (for recognition by computer games).
Materials and assembly
The quality of the materials and build of the gamepad is worthy of respect - its body is made of matte soft-touch plastic, which does not collect fingerprints and fits comfortably in the hand.
All keys have a responsive action, and the surface of the sticks is additionally rubberized. The only thing that mobile gamers may not like is the lack of a holder for a smartphone. Pleasant “buns” in the design are the presence of two vibration motors and a 3-axis accelerometer. But both of these mechanisms are very rarely connected to the gameplay, because supported by a small number of games.
Pairing The gamepad indicates that it is ready to start the game with a glowing indicator that surrounds the device's power button. A long press of this button starts the process of connecting the manipulator to third-party gadgets, which will become known thanks to the frequent blinking of the indicator light.
The range when pairing and operating the device is limited to 10 m.
AA batteries(type AA). On the one hand, this made it possible to get rid of wires, but on the other hand, it could play a cruel joke at the most inopportune moment. To ensure that the gameplay is not suddenly interrupted, it is advisable to stock up on a spare set of batteries.
