I just got this a week or so ago..I sure wish I would've seen your article before I purchased this controller.  Sure there are many upgrades from the basic controller, unfortunately these "upgrades" don't make up for the extremely short battery life.  I would gladly return this controller if I could.  In fact, I've started using the basic controller again already.  Depending on the game, I could get six to eight hours before the "Low battery alert".  Today I started
 playing a game at 1350 and at 1637 I got the low battery alert.  Then not even 30 min later the thing went completely useless.  With the basic controller I'd get an hour after alert.  Now I get why they include the extra long chord and the chord housing connector...because they knew that the main way you'd be using this USELESS controller is with the USB chord..oops..I meant "BRAIDED" CHORD...USELESS!!!