iControlPad going into production (again), 3000 units in first run

After a few fits and false starts, the image above shows the iControlPad in what's purported to be its final production form, according to inventor Craig Rothwell's Twitter account. Pricing hasn't been announced yet, and sales are supposed to start sometime in September, but Rothwell says the unit above is the first off the line, and there will be a production run of just 3000 to start. The unit has two sidebar pieces that wrap around the iPhone or iPod touch, and in addition to the extra control buttons on the bottom, the 'pad also has a battery that "doubles the iPhone battery life for gaming." There are shoulder buttons on the back as well.

Rothwell says he doesn't ever expect to get Apple's support on the project, but by just switching out the two side pieces, the pad could be adapted for any number of phones, so if the concept takes off, you can probably expect to see an Android version as well. We'll keep an eye out for pricing and other information. It's been a long (long) time coming, but for iPhone gamers who could use a few more buttons in their games, looks like the wait might almost be over.

[via Engadget]

View Tags

Source: http://twitpic.com/2hj9dn

Categories

Accessories iPhone

After a few fits and false starts, the image above shows the iControlPad in what's purported to be its final production form, according to...

Add a Comment

Sign in »

9 Comments

Filter by:

top ten beaches in the world

I was very surprised to see that apple have allegedly filed a patent for our original iControlPad design some 6 months after we revealed it. High Tech Gadgets : http://www.gizmos360.com/

August 27 2010 at 5:10 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

BarryCello

"Apple will never allow an app in the app store that requires additional hardware".

What about the iRig or the AmpKit LiNK? Both require you to buy hardware for the apps to work.

August 26 2010 at 6:14 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Tyler

As rad as this is, it is unfortunate that the only real market is for people who have jailbroken their devices. Apple will never allow an app in the app store that requires additional hardware, and they will not allow an app that takes advantage of this control device.

That said, I want one, because I jailbreak.

August 26 2010 at 12:20 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Rafael

this is really cool, however, i would of liked the buttons to be on the side of the screen rather than the bottom.

August 25 2010 at 11:08 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

PsycoMonkey

Can't they just make iPhone/Pad/Touch games that use keyboard inputs to play... and just make a blue tooth peripheral that takes those keyboard presses but disguises them as a d-pad and buttons?

August 25 2010 at 10:17 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Gaurang

This is useless there are games apps that support this form of input and I dont expect many of them to spend development to support any hardware thats not backed by big names - since it may disappear as soon as it turns up!

August 25 2010 at 9:24 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Greg

WANT
All apps could support it too, if they'd develop for it. Since iOS3, third party apps could make use of 3rd party accessories, but no one has really taken advantage of it yet.

August 25 2010 at 9:19 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Aaron

It looks awesome but isn't it USELESS unless game apps support the thing?

August 25 2010 at 7:46 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

JaYFizz

Badass

August 25 2010 at 7:40 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply