Is Apple planning to boost the gaming credentials of its iOS devices by creating a controller for the iPhone and iPad?
One reviewer claims that there is a team of Apple developers currently working on a gaming device, which would make sense given that Android already offers some gamepad support.
“As smartphones and tablets come close to equalling the performance of current game consoles, I feel like the controller problem must be addressed,” Anand Lal Shimpi of AnandTech said in his review of the iPad 3.
“Although many casual Android/iOS games do just fine with touch, some are certainly better suited for some sort of a controller. While controller support in Android in its infancy at best, it’s more than iOS currently offers. I know of an internal Apple project to bring a physical controller to market, but whether or not it will ever see the light of day remains to be seen.”
The decision to include some wired and wireless controller support into Android Honeycomb 3.0 could be the driving force behind Apple’s development in this area.
“I’m hoping we see continued controller support in Android and hopefully that’ll put some pressure on Apple to do the same. It is an important consideration for the future of gaming on these platforms,” Lal Shimpi added.
Apple has made several big name recruitments from the gaming industry over the past year, including Robin Burrowes from Microsoft’s XBox Live team, Robert Saunders from Nintendo’s public relations team and Nick Grange, who has worked in PR for Xbox, Activision and Electronics Arts.
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