MOGA iPhone game controller outed, features external battery pack
A new, battery-powered "Made for iPhone" game controller from Android accessory maker MOGA was revealed Friday in leaked images on Twitter.
The controller features an angular design and features two thumbsticks, a directional pad, shoulder buttons, a pause button and four function buttons in a collapsible design. Twitter user @evleaks, who revealed the device, said it also packs an auxiliary 1,800 mAh battery.
MOGA's gamepad is expected to work with Apple's dedicated game controller framework which the company unveiled in June at its annual Worlwide Developers Conference. Apple specifically named Logitech --?whose controller was leaked earlier this month --?and MOGA as "key partners."
Apple's framework specifies three configurations for game controllers: two form-fitting varieties, in which an iOS device sits inside the controller and is directly attached to the device, and one wireless configuration.
The leaked Logitech controller appears to follow Apple's "standard" form-fitting controller profile, with a directional pad, four function buttons, and two shoulder buttons. The MOGA controller shows signs of using the "extended" profile, adding two additional shoulder buttons and two thumbsticks. Both profiles also specify a dedicated "pause" button.
There is no word on pricing or availability for either controller, though Apple promised in June that the first wave of devices would be "on store shelves later this fall."
The controller features an angular design and features two thumbsticks, a directional pad, shoulder buttons, a pause button and four function buttons in a collapsible design. Twitter user @evleaks, who revealed the device, said it also packs an auxiliary 1,800 mAh battery.
MOGA's gamepad is expected to work with Apple's dedicated game controller framework which the company unveiled in June at its annual Worlwide Developers Conference. Apple specifically named Logitech --?whose controller was leaked earlier this month --?and MOGA as "key partners."
Apple's framework specifies three configurations for game controllers: two form-fitting varieties, in which an iOS device sits inside the controller and is directly attached to the device, and one wireless configuration.
The leaked Logitech controller appears to follow Apple's "standard" form-fitting controller profile, with a directional pad, four function buttons, and two shoulder buttons. The MOGA controller shows signs of using the "extended" profile, adding two additional shoulder buttons and two thumbsticks. Both profiles also specify a dedicated "pause" button.
There is no word on pricing or availability for either controller, though Apple promised in June that the first wave of devices would be "on store shelves later this fall."
Comments
Fall ends December 21.
The only problem with that design might be the fact that most people use cases. It can be troublesome to remove a case just to play a game so unless this will work with an iPhone in a case that may be a big hindrance.
I was thinking about that too. I bet lots of kids will want dedicated ipod touch just to play games with that controller.
Fall ends December 21.
Yep, but later doesnt have to be on the very last day. Maybe I feel winter is coming because its so cold here today.
Yep, but later doesnt have to be on the very last day.
You’re new to Apple and Apple-related products, aren’t you?
We had our first October snow in a little over a decade.
Here, it’s not Fall. It’s Plummet.
The only problem with that design might be the fact that most people use cases. It can be troublesome to remove a case just to play a game so unless this will work with an iPhone in a case that may be a big hindrance.
I agree.
Other MOGA controllers, such as the MOGA Hero Power Controller, use a clamp to hold a mobile device.
This would appear to be a reasonable alternative for those that want to game but do not want to remove their case. This goes under the assumption that MOGA creates an iOS compatible controller with a clamp (I can't imagine why they wouldn't). As well, some gamers might not want to hold such a wide controller. The clamp style would allow for a close grip.
Wouldn't buy it for one reason: asymmetrical analog sticks. As someone who never allowed Microsoft stuff in my house (I'm sure I'm not the only one in this particular forum), why would I want my controller on an iOS device to look like an XBox controller? I've always used other platforms for gaming, and their analog sticks are properly symmetrical.
Because it looks like a Nintendo controller before it looks like a Microsoft one and anything other than asymmetric analog sticks is completely idiotic and a physical pain to use.
That's subjective, obviously. But you knew that.
Wouldn't buy it for one reason: asymmetrical analog sticks. As someone who never allowed Microsoft stuff in my house (I'm sure I'm not the only one in this particular forum), why would I want my controller on an iOS device to look like an XBox controller? I've always used other platforms for gaming, and their analog sticks are properly symmetrical.
The layout has some advantages. There are quite a large number of mobile games that would not utilize both sticks, and the symmetrical ABXY buttons would be more comfortable. Personally I prefer symmetrical analog sticks (similar to Sony's PlayStation controllers), but again that's just my preference for the types of games I would play.
Strange that you don’t, apparently. And no, I figure everyone’s hands have ten fingers, bending the same way, doing the same things.
Because it looks like a Nintendo controller before it looks like a Microsoft one and anything other than asymmetric analog sticks is completely idiotic and a physical pain to use.
'Idiotic' and a 'physical pain to use' is based off of your preference, not everyone's.
Again, it really comes down to the type of game that someone is playing, and how that game utilizes the different controls.
Close your hands up.
I rest my case.
Six digits per appendage is dominant! There’s a community of Amish in Pennsylvania who, through choosing to marry amongst themselves, pretty much all have six fingers.
Neat little tidbits.
Does anybody know the name of the game on the screen in the first pic?
Bueller? Anyone?
- Rectangular controller, same length as an iPhone but less wide. Can be held both horizontally and vertically.
- One end is a clickable touch pad and the other end has an analog stick. No game today *needs* a D-pad.
And the second analog is used, in almost any game, for something that a mouse/touchpad device would do much better (absolute vs. relative and springloaded vs. nonspringloaded). Such as camera control or menu selection.
- The same thing on the back of the controller. Only the stick or slider goes right through the pad with a thumb/indexfinger-rest on the other side. This allows main controls with two or more fingers which gives far better precision (humans pinch grip with thumb and index finger is what gives us our edge in dexterity).
- Two shoulder buttons.
- One tactile button in the middle on one side and a home/pause button one the other, also in the middle.
That would be all that any currently realistically feasible game could want for controls.
More is just clutter.
The best option for attaching it to a small portable iDevice would be a clamshell case with a stiff hinge (laptop style) and a gentle padded springloaded clamp for varying sizes due to cases and generations.
This would be quite thick but much more portable than the long stick depicted, or two separate devices.