'Controlly' App Turns a Game Controller Into a Remote Control for Macs

[joshdammit]

But for what purpose? I can’t for the life of me imagine a practical use for it. Okay so say you use it to launch an app or a file....then what? You have to ditch the controller for a mouse/keyboard. Just seems a pointless novelty to me. Am I missing something? Feel free to point out a reasonable use case. I’m just not seeing one.

It is a novelty. But it's a novelty that could be useful for somebody, like me, who just wants to pick up a controller, fire up OpenEmu and play. It's not the end of the world if I CAN'T do that, but it's nice that I can.

 

[Billyk711]

Controlly, a new app available in the Mac App Store, is designed to turn a gaming controller into a full-featured remote control that can be used with a Mac.

With the app installed and a gaming controller connected, the different keys on the controller can be mapped to various functions such as displaying the desktop, adjusting screen brightness, tweaking volume, controlling media playback, accessing Launch Pad, launching Mission Control, and more.

There's even an option to use the controller in lieu of a mouse with controls for moving the mouse pointer, clicking, right clicking, and scrolling. You can essentially set any function on the Mac to be performed with a click of a controller button, which is handy if you want an alternate input method. There's also an option to create custom shortcuts that can be launched with a controller.

Note that to use the app, you must enable the Accessibility feature that allows apps to control your computer. This is available in System Preferences, and the app setup will walk you through it. Without the control option enabled, Controlly does not work.

Most wireless controllers should be able to work with Controlly after being paired via Bluetooth to a Mac. We tested with the PlayStation 4 DualShock controller and the app worked flawlessly, with the controller able to perform all of the appropriate mapped actions.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1358828792626753536

Controlly can be downloaded for free and used for seven days to test it out, but after that, there's a one-time $3.99 in-app purchase to unlock full functionality. [Direct Link]

Article Link: 'Controlly' App Turns a Game Controller Into a Remote Control for Macs

Just curious who would have a need for this, no knocking it at all. Just trying to figure out a use for it.

 

[ArPe]

Does this mean I can play Arkanoid in the Finder and use the lazer to shoot folders?

 

[Pudlo]

any news on that app working on Monterey? For me it is a must have. I use my macbook while cycling on my trainer so a lot of sweat involwed so I better use my ps5 pad instead of mess up my touchpad with sweat ;/