Technologies

PDP’s Victrix Pro BFG Is Hands Down the Best Pro Controller I’ve Used. Here’s Why

PDP’s top Xbox and PS5 controllers are pricey, but the high level of customization and overall design make them worth the money.

I would never claim to be anywhere near the level of a «pro» gamer, and I always thought high-end controllers like Sony’s DualSense Edge and Microsoft’s Xbox Elite were a bit overkill. I considered them great for the pros and streamers, but not worth the money for everyday gamers like me.

Then Turtle Beach, PDP’s parent company, sent me its Victrix Pro BFG controllers, and my eyes were opened. The controllers certainly haven’t turned me into a superstar gamer, but they’ve absolutely convinced me that they offer benefits for nonprofessionals that make the extra cost worthwhile. The granular levels of customization combined with the superb in-hand feel make for a highly compelling pro-level experience, making it one of the best console controllers I’ve tested.

What I like about the Victrix Pro BFG

The design is top-notch

For me, one of the most critical aspects of a controller, if not the most, is how it feels in my hand. I have small hands, so my palms and fingers need to sit comfortably on the controller and easily reach all the buttons. I also prefer solid, tactile feedback that lets me know my input registered. I use a mechanical keyboard during the day, so I’m simply used to reliable, clicky feedback from my devices.

The Victrix Pro BFG controller nails that aspect. When I unboxed it, I was a bit worried at first that it would be too big, but after a few hours with it, that worry vanished. It’s almost exactly the same size as a PlayStation DualSense controller and just slightly longer than an Xbox controller, but its ergonomics feel better in my hand. The added rubber grips on the handles also help. It weighs slightly more than either first-party controller at 298 grams (10.5 ounces), but I hardly noticed.

PDP makes two versions of the Victrix Pro BFG — one for Xbox and one for PlayStation — and both are officially licensed by Microsoft and Sony. The designs are mostly identical, with some minor functional exceptions. The only major difference is the touch panel on the PlayStation controller in place of the Xbox button. Unlike the Xbox controller, the PS version also has a PlayStation logo on the function button.

From a design perspective, I don’t think I’ll ever go back to a DualSense or Xbox controller. The Victrix Pro just feels so great to hold and use for prolonged periods. I gamed for hours with it and my hands never got tired, unlike they would with the DualSense controller.

Another nice bonus is that the Victrix Pro BFG’s battery life is solid as well. It beats the DualSense Edge controller handily (which isn’t hard to do) with a 2,000mAh battery and a stated 20-hour play time. That lines up with my testing. The Elite Series 2 controller gets closer to 30 hours of battery life, so it may not quite get there, but 20 hours is still respectable.

Customization is the name of the game

While I love the design of the Pro BFG controllers, their functionality is what truly sets them apart from almost every other controller out there. It’s not too uncommon now to see controllers that let you replace the sticks and possibly the D-pad, but PDP lets you swap out entire control modules, giving you deep levels of customization across the whole controller.

Two modules can be swapped out: the left module houses the left stick and D-pad, while the right module houses the right stick and X, Y, A, B (or PlayStation) buttons. Using the included screwdriver, you can physically remove the entire module. You can rotate them to change the position or even replace them.

PDP includes a fightpad module with each controller, which swaps the right analog stick and buttons with a six-button layout designed for fighting games. These buttons are flat and slightly larger, and also add RB and LB buttons for quicker reach.

Extra modules are sold separately with Hall Effect triggers and buttons so that you can upgrade your gameplay even more. And they include two additional D-pad layouts, two additional thumb sticks and two different gates for the thumb sticks.

For connectivity, there’s an included USB-C cable and a 2.4 GHz wireless dongle, and the Xbox version also has Bluetooth. Both models will work with PCs, but the Xbox version also works with compatible Bluetooth devices. The Xbox controller supports the Series X and S, Xbox One and Windows 10/11 PCs, while the PlayStation controller supports the PS4, PS5 and Windows 10/11 PCs.

Not only can you customize most of the buttons physically, but you can also remap them via the Victrix Control Hub for Xbox and PC. In the app, you can map nearly every button to a different input and diagnose and calibrate any issues with the buttons, joysticks or triggers. It can also store up to three different profiles on the controller to quickly switch your layout between games. For example, jumping between game modes and maps on a game like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, or even loading up an entirely different game.

The Pro BFG has a five-position trigger stop to set the depth wherever you want. This was huge for me as it drastically reduced my response time and improved my performance in Halo Infinite, Black Ops 6 and other shooters. I instantly noticed a big difference in my gameplay after I adjusted them.

Lastly, both controllers have solid audio enhancements. The Xbox controller supports Dolby Atmos, while the PS version supports Sony 3D audio on PS5. They both have low-latency audio and support for EQ profiles and customization.

What I don’t like about the Victrix Pro BFG

For all that I like about these controllers, they aren’t perfect. The first thing I noticed was that the PC app is a bit buggy. It also looks like it was designed for mobile devices, as the UI is big and spread out, and feels a little like an app that’s still in beta.

The only other downside for me was trying to use the Hall Effect module in the right slot of the Xbox controller. Once installed, it bugged out pretty hard and acted like I was constantly pulling the left trigger. This seems to be a known issue, though, going back at least several months, so who knows if or when it will ever get fixed.

Worth every penny

I consider myself somewhere between a casual and hard-core gamer. I’m a bit more advanced than someone who just logs on occasionally to kill a few brain cells, but I’m far from a pro — or even particularly good. And I can say that every aspect of my gaming was improved when using the Pro BFG.

The feel in the hand, the immense customization options and even the simple addition of back buttons have made playing games much more enjoyable. The BFG isn’t cheap, but it is competitively priced — at least the base package is. At $180, it’s more affordable than the DualSense Edge, only about $20 more than the Elite Series 2 and cheaper than many other pro-level gaming controllers. However, most of the latest pro-style controllers, like Razer’s Wolverine V3 Pro, come standard with Hall Effect sticks and triggers, which can increase longevity and keep drift in check. You’ll have to pay an extra $40 for the module to add that feature to the Pro BFG.

You’re paying a little more for the modularity, but if you want to improve your gaming experience, the PDP Victrix Pro BFG is absolutely worth it.

Technologies

OpenAI Launches ChatGPT Atlas, Challenging Google Chrome With an AI-First Browser

The browser is available now for MacOS users, with versions for Windows, iOS and Android coming later.

OpenAI has released a generative AI-powered web browser called ChatGPT Atlas, a major step in the company’s expansion beyond its ChatGPT chatbot platform. The browser, announced Tuesday, integrates ChatGPT’s capabilities directly into the browsing experience, aiming to make web use more interactive and chatbot-like.

OpenAI sparked speculation earlier Tuesday after posting a teaser on its X account showing a series of browser tabs. During the YouTube livestream, CEO Sam Altman and others announced the browser and live-demoed a few of the new features now available for MacOS users worldwide. Support for Windows, iOS and Android operating systems is «coming soon,» the company said.

(Disclosure: Ziff Davis, CNET’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.)

The new product launch comes amid growing competition among tech companies to embed AI assistants more deeply into everyday tools. For instance, Google has already integrated Gemini into its Chrome browser to add AI to the online browsing experience. Earlier this year, the AI search tool developer Perplexity launched Comet, an AI-powered Chromium-based web browser. Here’s everything OpenAI announced today.

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What is ChatGPT Atlas?

ChatGPT Atlas looks and functions like a traditional web browser. It includes tabs, bookmarks, extensions and incognito mode, but adds popular ChatGPT functions and features throughout. Opening a new tab lets you either enter a URL or ask ChatGPT a question. The browser includes separate tabs for different types of results, such as search links, images, videos and news.

A built-in ChatGPT sidebar can analyze whatever page you’re viewing to provide summaries, explanations or quick answers without leaving the site. ChatGPT can also offer in-line writing assistance, suggesting edits and completions inside any text field, such as an email draft.

One of the biggest new features is browser memory, which keeps track of pages and topics you’ve previously explored. Atlas can suggest related pages, help you return to past research or automate repetitive tasks. Memory is optional and can be viewed, edited or deleted at any time in settings.

Atlas also supports natural language commands, meaning you could type something like «reopen the shoes I looked at yesterday» or «clean up my tabs» and the browser should respond accordingly.

Read more: OpenAI Plans to Allow Erotica and Change Mental Health Restrictions for Adult Users

Agent mode in Atlas preview

OpenAI also previewed agent mode, which lets ChatGPT take limited actions on behalf of the user — such as booking travel, ordering groceries or gathering research. The company says the mode is faster than standard ChatGPT and comes with new safeguards to keep users in control.

Agent mode is available to Plus and Pro subscribers, and is available in beta for Business users.

«In the same way that GPT-5 and Codex are these great tools for vibe coding, we believe we can start in the long run to have an amazing tool for vibe lifing,» Will Ellsworth, the research lead for agent mode in Atlas, said during the livestream. «So delegating all kinds of tasks both in your personal and professional life to the agent in Atlas.»

How to get started with ChatGPT Atlas

To get started, you’ll first download Atlas at chatgpt.com/atlas. When you open Atlas for the first time, you’ll need to sign in to your ChatGPT account.

From there, you can import your bookmarks, saved passwords and browsing history from your current browser.

Technologies

Amazon Will Pay $2.5 Billion for Misleading Customers Into Amazon Prime Subscriptions

Amazon settles its FTC lawsuit, and agrees to pay billions for «tricking» customers into Prime subscriptions.

In September, Amazon settled its case with the Federal Trade Commission over whether it had misled customers who signed up for Amazon Prime. The $2.5 billion settlement is one of the largest consumer protection settlements in US history, and while Amazon did not admit to wrongdoing, it’s still changing things.

The FTC said $1.5 billion will go into a fund to repay eligible subscribers, with the remaining $1 billion collected as a civil penalty. The settlement requires Amazon to add a «clear and conspicuous» option to decline Prime during checkout and to simplify the cancellation process.

«Amazon and our executives have always followed the law, and this settlement allows us to move forward and focus on innovating for customers,» Mark Blafkin, Amazon senior manager, said in a statement. «We work incredibly hard to make it clear and simple for customers to both sign up or cancel their Prime membership, and to offer substantial value for our many millions of loyal Prime members around the world.»

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Why was the FTC suing Amazon?

The FTC filed suit against Amazon in 2023, accusing it of using «dark patterns» to nudge people into Prime subscriptions and then making it too hard to cancel. The FTC maintained Amazon was in violation of Section 5 of the FTC Act and the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act.

«Specifically, Amazon used manipulative, coercive or deceptive user-interface designs known as ‘dark patterns’ to trick consumers into enrolling in automatically renewing Prime subscriptions,» the FTC complaint states.

Who is eligible for Amazon’s big payout?

Amazon’s legal settlement is limited to customers who enrolled in Amazon Prime between June 23, 2019, and June 23, 2025. It’s also restricted to customers who subscribed to Prime using a «challenged enrollment flow» or who enrolled in Prime through any method but were unsuccessful in canceling their memberships.

The FTC called out specific enrollment pages, including Prime Video enrollment, the Universal Prime Decision page, the Shipping Option Select page and the Single Page Checkout. To qualify for a payout, claimants must also not have used more than 10 Amazon Prime benefits in any 12-month period.

Customers who signed up via those challenged processes and did not use more than three Prime benefits within one year will be paid automatically by Amazon within 90 days. Other eligible Amazon customers will need to file a claim, and Amazon is required to send notices to those people within 30 days of making its automatic payments.

Customers who did not use a challenged sign-up process but instead were unable to cancel their memberships will also need to file claims for payment.

How much will the Amazon payments be?

Payouts to eligible Amazon claimants will be limited to a maximum of $51. That amount could be reduced depending on the number of Amazon Prime benefits you used while subscribed to the service. Those benefits include free two-day shipping, watching shows or movies on Prime Video or Whole Foods grocery discounts.

Technologies

This Rumored Feature Could Make NotebookLM Essential for Work as Well as School

NotebookLM takes another step toward being the do-it-all AI tool for work and school.

Since it launched, NotebookLM has been aimed at students. While just about anyone can use the AI tool to some benefit, it’s a great study buddy thanks to an assortment of features for the classroom. But a promising new feature may help with your next work presentation: Slides.

Powered by Gemini, NotebookLM can help you brainstorm ideas and generate audio or video overviews. That sounds like most AI tools, but NotebookLM is different. You can provide it with your own material — documents, websites, YouTube videos and more — and it’ll only use those sources to answer your questions and generate content. Adding a slide generator to such a tool would be a solid, professional power-up.

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Google already has its own slide deck creation tool, but NotebookLM could make it even easier to create them. Using your uploaded sources and the recently integrated Nano Banana image generator, the ability to create a slide deck on the fly could soon be on its way.

The tech and AI tool-focused site Testing Catalog recently spotted an unreleased and incomplete Slide tool. Not all of the features seem to be available, but it’d be easy to assume you’ll be able to create a slide deck based on your uploaded documents with just a few clicks. It’ll also likely allow you to further customize the deck by giving NotebookLM specific instructions and topics within your sources to focus on.

That’s not all, though. Another, similar feature might also be on the way. Also spotted was an option to generate an infographic — allowing you to create a visual chart or image based on your data sources. We’ll have to wait and see when either of these features goes live, but NotebookLM remains a robust tool that has little competition, and I expect it’ll only get better.