Found Footage: iPad output to TV with iPhone control
Dave at Magic Jungle Software wanted to turn the iPad into a video game console. So he got on his thinking cap and did a little bit of development to turn his idea into a reality. The video you see here shows an iPad running a demo of his game, Chopper 2 (currently in development), while connected to a 42" TV via Apple's component cable.
Even better, David notes that he used all public APIs to accomplish this feat. As of the 3.2 SDK, Apple now offers App Store-safe ways to send video out through a VGA connector or through a component video or composite video adapter cable. You can get an idea of some of the details behind this technology in the slides from this 10-minute impromptu talk given by Erica Sadun over the weekend at the Voices that Matter conference.
But wait! There's more! The super fun part is that he's controlling the game with is iPhone via Bluetooth. He's using a GameKit two-device connection, effectively turning the iPhone into a wireless controller for the iPad. It's very cool, and the first we've seen an iPhone controlling an iPad game in this way. Connecting it to a TV was the cherry on top.
This isn't the first time this kind of gaming on the TV using an iPhone has been done. Freeverse engineer created a proof-of-concept system using private APIs to achieve video out with an iPhone back in 2008. You can watch the video they created, using routines that Erica published over at Ars Technica. Magic Jungle isn't using any private calls, however. Their software is publishable, which means unlike that early demo, the chances of this ending up in your hands so you can try it out on your actual device are pretty high.
All in all, this is pretty neat. Games often suffer from your hands being in the way (I'm looking at you, Resident Evil). On-screen smudges can diminish a real immersion experience. You simply don't experience those issues when the device itself is merely a controller.
Here's hoping we seem more of this.
I can't wait to play.
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Dave at Magic Jungle Software wanted to turn the iPad into a video game console. So he got on his thinking cap and did a little bit of...
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Just another Patent Infringer working with Apple to seal IP from Wireless Synergy, Inc. Patent Application 12/220,295 Claim 4 Fig 4.
View on Under Construction Website http://wirelesssynergy.org/products.htm
$500 for an ipad and $300 for an iPhone sounds about right $800 for apples first gaming system.
April 28 2010 at 1:37 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThis is very cool and I wonder if it could become a standalone App that coordinates iphone or ipod touch used as controller with ipad running the apps. Obviously not a console solution but if one already has both it could be an added bonus
April 28 2010 at 8:59 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply> "But wait! There's more! The super fun part is that he's controlling the game with is iPhone via Bluetooth. He's using a GameKit two-device connection, effectively turning the iPhone into a wireless controller for the iPad. It's very cool, and the first we've seen an iPhone controlling an iPad game in this way. Connecting it to a TV was the cherry on top."
TUAW actually reported on the game Tank or Die made at the iPadDevCamp in San Jose last weekend, and this game does the bluetooth with iPhones as controllers just like the above already...
Just another reason a re-tooled AppleTV with an App Store would be rad.
Where's my fancy new AppleTV damnit!?
Was just thinking the same thing. Maybe then the Apple TV would come out of the "hobbyist" title and become a "more useful" device.
April 27 2010 at 5:38 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyCool concept, but not really practical. Any available 200 dollar console can do this much better.
iPhone + iPad + connectors = 1000 dollar gaming setup
Anyone else see the new light being shed on what will be possible with an AppleTV?
April 27 2010 at 4:12 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThis excites me more about the video out being used. I would love to see this implemented more in apps as it's the only way to get true video out since the current setup doesn't just mirror what's onscreen.
April 27 2010 at 4:10 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyChopper was the 1st game I really liked on my iPhone, damn that games addicting. Can't wait for Chopper 2! Looks like they took it to a whole different level. (pun)
Hopefully Chopper 2 is completely free for previous users or I'll give you a shitty review on iTunes.
( LOL - just playing with ya Dave to make fun of the idiot reviewers that think everything should be free ;-)
So, this effectively turns the Apple system into a Wii, with an iPhone as a Wii-mote. How good is the accelerometer based movement for games? It seemed pretty hard for him to shoot that enemy with tilt-motion.
April 27 2010 at 3:40 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply:o Hadn't thought of it that way, but Apple probably won't officially go that way because of the high cost of the "controller" and the console itself, if you think about it. They don't want another pinpin :D
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TUAW (or The Unofficial Apple Weblog) is a website devoted to tips, reviews, news, analysis and opinion on everything Apple.
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