At about this time last year, Wikipad announced a new controller solution for mobile device gamers called the Gamevice. It featured a cradle design where your device attached between two controller parts and originally was intended for Windows 8 and Android tablets, with an iOS version being something Wikipad hoped to provide in the future. Then in June of last year, Wikipad unveiled a redesigned Gamevice, this time solely targeting compatibility with Apple’s iPad. Well it looks like the Gamevice has undergone another slight redesign and is finally going to be available this March, as noted by Polygon.
This new Gamevice controller will be compatible with the iPad Air, the iPad Air 2, and all three generations of the iPad mini, and connects via the Lightning connector as opposed to Bluetooth. There will be four different variations of the Gamevice. Obviously, you’ll need to choose if you want one for the full-sized iPad or for the mini. Then each of those comes with two battery size options: an 800 mAH or 1,600 mAH. Apparently, the larger-battery devices will also come with some sort of 4G connectivity.
The only pricing announced so far is for the 800 mAH battery versions, which will retail for $99.99. Also, Windows and Android device owners fear not: Wikipad has confirmed they’re still working on Gamevice models that run on those operating systems.
Overall I think the Gamevice is an interesting proposition, since thus far all the MFi controllers have connected to an iPad as a standalone controller, requiring the iPad to be propped up somehow. Which is fine and all, but it’s nice having a controller that can actually hold the device at the same time. We’ll be looking to get our hands on a Gamevice in time for its March debut, and if any further details regarding the controller come out before then we’ll be sure to let you know.
[Polygon]
