Belkin JoyPod iPhone Gaming Controller with App Store Support? [Updated: No]
posted August 30th, 2008 4:28 PM EDT by arn in Accessories, Rumors
Last week we published an article about upcoming iPhone gaming controllers. Specifically, we recapped the iControlPad project, but also published a diagram (see right) of what appeared to be another gaming controller for the iPhone that was in development.
The original image had been submitted anonymously and simply claimed that testing would begin in October. Some commenters from the original discussion were concerned that these controller pads would be relegated to jailbroken iPhones only due to lack of official SDK support.
A new image that we’ve received, however, suggests that this upcoming iPhone controller is actually from major accessory manufacturer Belkin and does indeed have official App Store support:
The ad copy promotes using the Joypod to squeeze the most out of your iPhone or iPod Touch to play App Store games in the easiest way. Other features listed include:
If all true, then Belkin’s involvement certainly suggests that Apple will be building support into the official SDK to allow App Store games to take full advantage of these controllers.
Update: Belkin denies the rumor.
August 30th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Huh - I guess this is cool for the people who want such a thing, but I really think the iPhone should only ever be a “casual” game platform. Even though the iPhone itself is capable of truly amazing things, I just don’t think the battery performance is strong enough to ever support the kind of “serious” gaming that these controller add-ons suggest.
Plus, I don’t ever want to carry around bulky add-ons (it’s why I have my phone “naked” with no case). I prefer all my games to work on the iPhone AS IS — and if it requires anything else, I’m just not interested. It would be annoying if future games ONLY worked with these controls, and not without them…
August 30th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
I’d give this a go if someone made some decent games that supported it.
Needs a built in extended battery and a speaker (for the Touch) though.
August 30th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
IF it true… this will be boom :p
August 30th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo & Hooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!
August 30th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Looks like this’ll give not only the DS, but also the PSP a run for its money!
August 30th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Totally bitchin’. Look out PSP and DS. The ability to download a game and play it instantly is going to be a huge hit for gamers. I guarantee people are going to run down their iPhone batteries in a matter of hours. Better plan on buying an iPod Touch and an iPhone for good measure.
I agree with Rojo that the iPhone at this point in time should only be a casual game machine. It needs a far more robust battery to be anything else. You can’t buy a cellphone to constantly play games on. It way to risky to run your battery down when you need to make and receive calls.
August 30th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
From the drawings I couldn’t help but think of the Tapwave Zodiac, best PalmOS gaming device ever made and most commercially-available Stargate prop.
August 30th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
iPod touch users would appreciate a speaker on this! And why not throw in a rechargeable battery to give the iPod/Phone extra juice for all the gaming one would do with it?
I’m all for this, although I think a simpler, smaller add-on with a D-pad and at most one or two buttons would be cool too — I’m picturing something that only adds an inch or so of length to the unit and lets you play classic arcade games like Pac-Man with real buttons. I like the promise of touch screen and accelerometer games, but there are a lot of great old games that just need a d-pad. And I agree it will suck to carry this bulky thing around. Something closer to the Griffin iTalk Pro in size would be great.
August 30th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
If a games start to require this then I’m not interested. Does the iPhone last any longer than a PSP when playing a game? Plus, only one joystick equals fail.
August 31st, 2008 at 12:32 am
I don’t really agree that the iPhone should just be a casual gaming machine. Remember, the iPhone gaming platform also includes the iPod Touch, where the “conserve battery for calls” issue doesn’t arise.
The iPhone has introduced amazing innovative controls, but some games are just unplayable without physical buttons. Fighting games like Tekken would be all but impossible (or just plain unenjoyable) on the iPhone.
At the very least, I feel that this will allow more conventional games to be offered by the more cautious developers on the App Store, before progressing to more innovative iPhone specific titles.
One never knows, this could be just the thing to open the floodgates for console quality games on the iPhone.
August 31st, 2008 at 3:44 am
If Apple is indeed supporting this, then it would be a good idea if they suggested that any game that supports the add-on, also has regular controls for those that don’t have it.
It would really bug me if a game like Sega’s OutRun 2006 came out, supported the add-on and had no default iPhone controls.
August 31st, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Hello, they can’t patent this because somebody already invented/is bringing to market one:
http://www.icontrolpad.com/
I feel sorry for the little guys trying to market something and Belkin/Apple taking their idea
August 31st, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Nubie Apple can patent that because the icontrol pad team there aren’t licensed by Apple.
August 31st, 2008 at 2:12 pm
I had icontrolpad idea in my head before it been annouced :p
Besides icontrolpad is JB only solution, even if they make one it won’t work with official SDK.
August 31st, 2008 at 2:19 pm
@Gregz0r I’m certain no software dev is going to limit their market to JUST the accessory-controller-add-on market. Every game will have to have regular controls as well.
Like Pac Man, Tetris have the swipe control. But adding controller pad controls would be quite nice.
This is speculation but it would be interesting if the control pad could emulate Left/Right/Up/Down swipes… in which case it would automatically support existing swipe-controlled titles. Maybe even mapping one button to an on screen tap.
arn
August 31st, 2008 at 2:29 pm
i will echo the battery concerns, the iphone’s battery life just isn’t up to par to become a more dedicated game machine, can you even get a hour off of it?
for the gu that brought up the psp, the difference would be hours, i can get a good 5 hours of straight gaming if not more
August 31st, 2008 at 2:39 pm
These controller add-ons for the iPhone take away from the minimalist design that is part of what makes the iPhone what it is.
Why don’t they just glue an Atari joystick to the touchscreen while they are at it?
http://www.learnucd.com/kevlar/why-is-the-iphone-popular
August 31st, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Why would Belkin make an ad in Spanish?
Are Spanish speaking Americans the target for that device?
August 31st, 2008 at 5:45 pm
I’m not sure this is legit, but it would be nice if it ends up being true.
I too am waiting for the icontrolpad version. Their site shows it’s very close to being made available for purchase. It will have direct support from the same people that brought us the emulators we all love.
http://www.icontrolpad.com
August 31st, 2008 at 10:18 pm
I would love for Apple to recognize the gaming world more closely.
Apple itself can create a controller similar to Belkin’s controller - by creating a standardized interface or API for game controllers for the iPod touch and iPhone.
This way, other 3rd party companies can also get into the game.
There can then be an additional interface available for game designers.
If Apple did this, the iPod Touch would burst at the seems with tons of new games.
Of course, this begs the question: What about an API for an external keyboard as well?
Apple can then extend the development system to allow limited support for these hardware extensions.
September 1st, 2008 at 3:40 pm
fuck off everyone, iPhone iz 1337, so fuck u
September 2nd, 2008 at 1:16 am
“i will echo the battery concerns, the iphone’s battery life just isn’t up to par to become a more dedicated game machine, can you even get a hour off of it?”
I often use my iPhone for gaming, and three hours of continuous gameplay is about typical. I don’t know how long a PSP lasts, so I don’t know how that compares. However, I’m rarely far from someplace to charge up, be it a USB port, an electrical socket, or my car’s cigarette lighter.
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:24 am
I’m with the previous commenters in saying that I don’t think the battery life is strong enough to support this device being used for anything but casual gaming. You can take almost any one of the graphically demanding games out there, and you’ll get 1.5-2 hours tops out of the thing before the battery is gone.
Now, if this game pad had a built in external battery, that could be hot.
September 3rd, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Sorry all it would seem that it is a hoax
http://www.iphonesource.org/belkin-says-joypod-iphone-gaming-controller-a-hoax/
September 22nd, 2008 at 2:37 am
A unit that takes the best of the Sony PSP, Apple iPhone and the Tapwave Zodiac would truly be a groundbreaking handheld device! Now if it will every come true!