The team behind the iControlPad gaming controller for the iPhone has revealed that the snap-on peripheral has integrated Bluetooth. Designed to offer mobile gamers a more traditional interface for iPhone gameplay – and, indeed, titles on other devices – the iControlPad hit mass production back in August. However now the team needs some help developing the Bluetooth support for iOS.
That’s because they’re hoping to avoid using Apple’s dock connector – which presumably would require licensing on their part – and, we’re guessing, would also make it more flexible for use with other iOS-based devices such as the iPad. According to team member Craig Rothwell, Apple’s recent litigation against HyperMac for using the iPod connector without permission was a key factor in their decision. If you can help then head over to this thread (which also confirms the iControlPad will be compatible with Android smartphones using Bluetooth).
Sony’s PlayStation Move motion controller hit shelves last week, just in time to suffer indignity at the hands of iFixit. They promptly tore down the controller, finding it surprisingly easy to open up and – with the exception of a couple of soldered components – promising for later hacks, repairs and general tinkering.
For instance, the whole thing is held together with just a few regular Phillips screws, and the illuminated ball simply lifts off after that. Sony has used a heatsink with the LEDs, which should prolong their lifespan, and the battery is hooked up via a connector rather than soldered. Unfortunately the same can’t be said for the vibration motor, which is fixed to the mainboard. More on the PlayStation Move here.
Perhaps the worst, and least repairable, shortcoming of touchscreens is their failure to act as viable game controllers. Keyboard-equipped smartphones alleviate that pain a little (particularly if you pair them with a Game Gripper), but ultimately we’d all prefer real controllers for our real games. Such was clearly the thinking behind the homebrewed setup here, which combines an HTC EVO 4G — with Android and an NES emulator inside — with an Arduino board, a BlueSMiRF Bluetooth module, and a classic NES control pad. The result might look like a mess of wires, but who cares when you can rock Super Mario 3 the way Nintendo surely intended?
If you have a favorite console, one aspect of that favoritism usually has something to do with the controller you have to use every day. People love their PS3 controllers, Wii remotes, or Xbox 360 controllers. If you’re a fan of the latter, but find yourself playing a lot of the 2D fighting games that are available in Microsoft’s LIVE Arcade, then you’ve probably noticed that the D-pad could still use a little bit of work. According to a reliable source talking to Joystiq, apparently you’re about to get your wish.
The source tells them that the Redmond-based juggernaut company is currently working on releasing an updated Xbox 360 controller, with a slightly tweaked D-pad. The said part of the controller is supposedly going to be rotated 90-degrees, which will subsequently raise it by a quarter of an inch. With that increase in stature, it will get easier to utilize, and therefore it’s apparently specifically targeted at fighting game fans.
There’s no word on whether or not Microsoft will have this new controller be a replacement for the current version of the controller, or if it will be an accessory fighting game fans will want to pick up in their spare time. Considering the rumor suggests this new controller is targeting a specific gamer, we’re betting that it’ll just be an accessory. Unless of course everyone starts loving it; then we wouldn’t be surprised to find it slipping inside retail boxes eventually.
[Update] Well, fancy that. Not too long after posting this, Major Nelson of Xbox came forward and made the controller all official and what not. And yes, it’s an accessory in of itself, but it will be sold only with the new Play & Charge Kit that’s releasing on November 9th of this year. The total package will retail for $64.99, and it features a matte silver controller, with the revolutionary new D-pad that can switch on the fly, depending on the game you want to play. Nelson demos the controller on video, so check it out below and let us know what you think.
The origins of the PlayStation controller’s triangle, circle, square and cross buttons can’t exactly be described as a mystery on a par with the disappearance of the Mayans, but we’ve always been pretty curious about where the four symbols came from. Now we know, thanks to a Famitsu magazine interview with Teiyu Goto, the man responsible for the external design of PlayStation consoles, their peripherals and accessories, for the last 17 years. In among detailing the distinctive dual-grip design, Goto says the four symbols were actually an attempt to keep things straightforward while rivals were using letters.
“Other game companies at the time assigned alphabet letters or colors to the buttons. We wanted something simple to remember, which is why we went with icons or symbols, and I came up with the triangle-circle-X-square combination immediately afterward. I gave each symbol a meaning and a color. The triangle refers to viewpoint; I had it represent one’s head or direction and made it green. Square refers to a piece of paper; I had it represent menus or documents and made it pink. The circle and X represent ‘yes’ or ‘no’ decision-making and I made them red and blue respectively. People thought those colors were mixed up, and I had to reinforce to management that that’s what I wanted.” Teiyu Goto, Sony
It turns out that Goto had plenty of challenges trying to get his hardware design and buttons through Sony management, but eventually he persuaded them and the rest – as they say in clichés – is history.
It’s been a while since the iControlPad team told us the release of the snap-on iPhone gaming controller peripheral was imminent, but general availability looks like it could be fast approaching. Team member Craig Rothwell has been tweeting photos of the first mass produced sections, and while he’s yet to show the central control panel it’s obvious how everything will come together.
Update: More photos and availability information after the cut
Even better news is that the iControlPad should be iPhone 4 compatible, handy considering the fourth-gen Apple smartphone was released in the intervening period since we first saw the controller.
Last we heard, there would be two versions of the pad: one with just the basic gaming controls – a D-pad plus two analog joysticks, four control buttons and two function keys (Start and Select) – and another that squeezes in a battery for longer gameplay. Still no word on pricing or specific release dates, but with the components seemingly on hand we can’t imagine it will be long now.
Update:Craig says the first batch of 3,000 units will be sold soon, the announcement made on his Twitter feed. The control unit has a battery that doubles the runtime of the iPhone, and you’ll eventually be able to buy different grip sections and use the same controls with non-iPhone devices.
I know what you’re thinking. “Didn’t these guys just start a giveaway on Friday?” Well if you must know, we did. However we’re so excited about getting free stuff into your hands that there’s going to be a new contest running until next Monday. This time we’re giving away a Ferrari Wireless Gamepad 430 Scuderia Limited Edition from Thrustmaster.
Yes, that is quite a mouthful. This controller was inpired by the Ferrari 430 Scuderia, which makes it ideal for racing games, though you need not reserve it for only those titles. Extra features include an optical wheel with auto-centering (for better steering), dual progressive triggers and fully-customizable buttons. The best part is that this gamepad will work for both the PC and PS3.
The worst part about giving away items like this is that we can’t give them to all of you. Generally there is only one to be had. However, there’s a similar contest running over at GamerFront, also starting today. So if you’re in the US, drop a comment below for a chance to win, then head over there and drop another to double your odds. Good luck!
Say what you will about Nokia‘s strategy (or lack thereof), but there’s no denying that the N900 is one capable gaming machine. Thus, it makes perfect sense for the blokes at Game Gripper to mold a controller specifically for that very handset, no? We’ve already spent a fair amount far too much time with our made-for-Droid edition, and if you’re looking to boost your enjoyment level when playing NES ROMs, you can toss your pre-order in this very second. The company’s offering the complete Game Gripper N900 for €14.95 ($20), or the button set alone for €3.95 ($5), with initial shipments expected in around a fortnight. Head on past the break for a taste of that aforementioned Mario action.
Sadly our music creation skills aren’t up to much here at SlashGear, but we do like a good controller surface. Livid Instruments’ new Block controller is a great example: 64 monome-style assignable clip buttons surrounded by faders, knobs and function keys in a minimalist housing, it’s the ideal way to interact with whatever PC or Mac based music app you may be using.
In fact, the Block is a smaller sibling to Livid’s existing Ohm series of controllers, which are larger and more button/knob/controller-encrusted. The company also does a range of custom controllers, where buyers can choose the various finishes of the hardware, and sells the individual parts so that real DIYers can make their own.
Block hooks up via USB and has bi-directional MIDI support so that the various lights and controls can react to whatever the software is doing. The Livid Instruments Block is available now, priced at $399; meanwhile the Ohm64 is $599.
Japan tends to be on the weird side of any coin, and The Fingerist does nothing to undermine that reputation. This accessory for the iPhone and iPod touch was conceived at a “mutton BBQ restaurant” when one dude said to another that he needed an amp for his guitar app. Lo and behold, after an apparently successful CES appearance, the axe-imitating speaker thingie — replete with a guitar strap and line-out to jack into real amplifiers — is now on sale for ¥14,800 (or $150 for the rest of us). We can’t wrap our minds around such an expense just for the privilege of fingering our touchscreens, but then you can make some pretty sweet music using these things (video evidence after the break).
