The official Sony PlayStation 3 controller is called the SIXAXIS Wireless Controller. The controller can operate wirelessly via bluetooth, and the console has support for you to use up to seven SIXAXIS controllers at the same time. A USB cable can be plugged into the controller to allow it to be charged. Each charge should allow up to about 30 hours gameplay for the controller. The main change from the last generation of PlayStation pads is the new controller has the ability to sense both roatational orientation and translational acceleration along all three dimensional axes, providing six degrees for freedom. The SIXAXIS controller is made from a dark translucent plastic. This means that when you hold it up to the light, you can see the insides.