We all know that iPhone platform devices are capable mobile gaming devices. There are some real gems in the App Store that take particular advantage of the iPhone's unique capabilities, with more on the way. Apple knows it too -- they've long been advertising the iPod touch specifically as a game machine. An Apple patent application that was made public on April 1 may indicate that Apple wants to take iPhone gaming to an even higher level.
First filed back in 2008, the patent in question, US20100081505, is entitled ACCESSORY FOR PLAYING GAMES WITH A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE. The abstract follows.
We've been following the iControlPad project since it was first revealed in May 2008. A new video has been revealed showing the latest prototype hardware which has been significantly redesigned. Their blog explains:
What we got [in terms of feedback on the original design] was interesting, the design worked but obviously needed to be altered for each type of iPhone and the controls were a bit cramped, plus it was quite large to carry. We were not 100% happy with this. If we are going to do this we want to do it right.
As some of you know we have access to the parts used on the openPandora handheld - which has dual analogue nubs.
A sleepless night then resulted a huge design change.
Here's a new video of the hardware playing Mario Kart in emulation (on jailbroken hardware):
This project has always been more interesting than practical as it was originally limited to jailbroken hardware due to the SDK restrictions. The launch of iPhone 3.0 firmware and SDK, Apple announced that the dock connector is now accessible to hardware manufacturers, though we haven't seen it taken advantage of quite yet.
We've dropped them a line about the possibility of official SDK support, and we'll keep you up to date. Developers, of course, would have to provide direct support for such a device, though the developers of C64 the Commodore 64 emulator have already said they would support such a device.
Australian company 22Moo announced today the development of "the world's first" iPhone OS 3.0 compatible game controller which will feature an 8-way D-pad with 6 buttons, incorporate a 2000mAh battery and support both Bluetooth and 30-pin dock connector connectivity. Specs include:
Dual connectivity - Connect with Bluetooth wirelessly OR use the 30-pin dock connector cable
2000mAh Lithium-ion Battery for additional power for your iPod touch / iPhone*
LED showing charging state and capacity
8-way D-Pad with 6 buttons
Bluetooth button for pairing and status
Built-in speakers, mic and 3.5 audio headphone jack
"Made for iPod" and "Works for iPhone" certification**
A price has not yet been set and is expected to be released in mid September 2009.
Given no actual product shot has been shown, it seems the device is still in pretty early development. They are even soliciting customer suggestions for pricing and interested developers are asked to sign up for future information about the GameBone Pro SDK. We're not holding our breath for this one, but it is the first of what we expect to be a number of other game accessory announcements.
After Apple's announcement of the iPhone 3.0 firmware, we've been looking forward to the possibility of iPhone and iPod Touch gaming accessories. These could come in the form of virtual control pads (such as iControlPad), steering wheels and more.
While we're not convinced these accessories would ever achieve more than a niche marketshare amongst iPhone gamers, the possibilities are intriguing. Apple's iPod Touch page is now listing "fun new game accessories" as one of the features of 3.0. These accessories will connect either through Bluetooth or the 30-pin connector.
Obviously, Apple is working on these accessories with 3rd party manufacturers, so we expect to hear about them soon.
Earlier in the week we pointed readers to Marware's upcoming Game Grip accessory for the iPhone and iPod touch, a silicone hand grip arrangement designed to enhance the gameplay experience of accelerometer-based game. It's a great idea, but at $50 (which does not include the optional battery pack) it feels a bit on the expensive side.
Flickr user ronnsprocket apparently shared the sentiment and took matters into his own hands. A cardboard box, an X-Acto knife, a few dabs of glue and a little geekish ingenuity was all it took to create a free, functional equivalent--if somewhat ergonomically lacking as compared to Marware's offering.  But hey, it's free!
We have contacted the engineer behind this project and will let readers know if his cutting templates become available online.
Marware is offering a gaming accessory called the Game Grip for the iPhone and iPod Touch aimed at accelerometer based games. The silicone sleeves provides hand grips on either side of the iPhone.
Unique cord management system provides the ultimate versatility
Can be used with headphones/ear buds
Can be charged while playing
Silicone sleeves can be used as stand alone protection when not gaming
Provides convenient, radically comfortable access to full face of touch or iPhone
Enjoy hours of extreme game play
It also supports an optional, removable battery pack solution from Marware to provide you with extra power while gaming. The Game Grip is priced at $49.99 and is available for pre-order.
Belkin has contacted us and confirmed that there is no 'JoyPod' accessory in the works and that it is "simply a false rumor". "We have no plans to release such a product," wrote Melody Chalaban, Belkin's Public Relations Manager, in an email.
Apologies to Belkin for the misinformation. It seems the iControlPad remains our best bet for a 3rd party gaming accessory for the iPhone. Without Apple's involvement, however, it is unlikely we'll see App Store support.
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:
8 buttons total (6 on the front)
Audio output
Dock connector for power and syncing
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.
The developers at iControlPad have posted some updates to their site since we originally wrote about them back in May.
For those who don't remember, iControlPad is hoping to deliver an under $30 gaming control pad for the iPhone and iPod Touch. The latest prototype casing is shown here:
They say the color and texture will be glossy and smooth in the final production model.
iControlPad, however, may not be the only product in the works. I've also anonymously received an image of what appears to be another gaming pad design that is reportedly scheduled for testing in October. No other details were provided about who might be producing the device, but the image is published here for interest:
In either case, developers will have to specifically support these gaming pads in their apps to make use of these upcoming accessories.
Update: Additional photos and notes about the iControl Pad from Gizmodo:
Male connection and Female plug though connection
Digital directional pad, 4 Face buttons, 2 shoulder buttons and start and select buttons.
Access to all iPhone ports, buttons and the camera while in the iControlPad.
The iControlPad developers posted a video of an early hack connecting the original SNES gamepad to control an emulated SNES game on the iPhone.
The hack was the basis for early testing for them to developer their future gaming accessory for the iPhone. The video also nicely demonstrates the SNES4iPhone emulator available to Jailbroken iPhones.
iControlPad updated their site with renderings of the planned iControlPad as well as answers to some frequent questions. iControlPad is a hardware accessory that will give the iPhone and iPod Touch PSP-style buttons for playing games.
The developers report that the iControlPad will be priced at (probably) under $30 and be shipping in July. They plan on supporting the iPhone and iPod Touch. At present, the iControlPad requires a jailbroken iPhone.
The video shows the raw input coming from the control pad, but no actual gameplay. It seems a simple matter for iPhone developers to support this great gaming accessory. We're hoping the iControlpad makes a strong, early impact such that it will be a standard control option for all forthcoming iPhone games. The more control options, the better, after all.
iControlPad is working on a hardware accessory that that will give the iPhone and iPod Touch PSP-style buttons for playing games.
Realise the full potential of the iPhone by adding real controls. Your iPhone just slides in and locks in to place via the serial port, there are no modifications needed and you can remove it at any time.
The developers claim that full source code and SDK support will be coming, and is "already supported by some of the biggest iPhone devs". A small photo of an early prototype is shown:
Pricing and availability have not yet been announced. They appear to still be in the prototyping stage and plan on including "Start" and "Select" buttons in the final release.
