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Modder transforms Steam Controller trackpads into speakers

By PulseAugur Editorial · [1 sources] ·

A modder has repurposed the haptic motors within the Steam Controller's trackpads to function as stereo speakers. By using a custom tool called "Steam Haptics Player" and the HIDAPI library, raw audio data can be sent directly to the controller's motors, bypassing standard software like Steam Input. While wireless audio quality is compromised due to bandwidth limitations, wired connections can transmit 16-bit audio, producing surprisingly full sound, as demonstrated with music from Portal 2. AI

IMPACT This hack demonstrates creative repurposing of existing hardware, showcasing potential for unconventional audio output methods.

RANK_REASON This is a modification of existing hardware for a novel use case, not a new product release or core AI research.

Read on Tom's Hardware →

AI-generated summary · Google Gemini · from 1 sources. How we write summaries →

Modder transforms Steam Controller trackpads into speakers

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0 / 100
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Tool
This is a modification of existing hardware for a novel use case, not a new product release or core AI research.
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product, other
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Low
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Story freshness
49 days old
Aged out of breaking-news scoring windows; ranking reflects the durable signal from the full source set.

Full methodology in our editorial standards.

COVERAGE [1]

  1. Tom's Hardware TIER_1 English(EN) · Hassam Nasir ·

    Modder turns Steam Controller trackpad haptics into stereo speakers with custom HID tool — Wired connection transmits 16-bit audio that sounds surprisingly full

    A modder has figured out how to send an audio stream to the Steam Controller's haptic motors in order to make them play pretty much anything. While the wireless connection over the puck is limited, audio quality over a USB cable is genuinely impressive for a device with no speake…

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