Logitech and Moga to launch official iOS gaming controllers

Tucked away in the WWDC iOS 7 presentation was a mention that Apple has added game controller SDK, specifications and during one of the workshops, it mentioned that long-time accessory maker Logitech and Moga are producing controllers to bring proper gaming to the iPad and iPhone family.

There are two different types, a standard-style Xbox/PS3 controller (although the presentation version looks rather like a Nintendo Classic controller) but with thumb triggers, dualsticks and the usual colored face buttons. For those who want to game with their iPhone, there's an alternate version that turns the phone basically into a rather ungainly take on Sony's PS Vita.

Moga already works with Android devices, so shouldn't have too much trouble getting to grips with the iPhone. With the best-in-class Apple games already looking as good as their console counterparts, and offering superb HD resolutions, the addition of some proper buttons could see iOS challenging Xbox One and PS4 for users' gaming spending later this year.



Sure, its a bit clunky using Apple TV and AirPlay to get the games up on a big-screen TV, but by next year, assuming Apple launches its own HD sets, console gaming will have a big new competitor, with the tightest app/game/store integration yet seen.

#CES2013: Mad Catz GameSmart to make game controllers work across iPads and other devices

Mad Catz is making its future devices "GameSmart compatible," which is a technology initiative that moves smart devices one step closer to delivering a core gaming experience similar to a gaming console or PC. Of course, any other controller maker can do this too, so expect a range of competing non-standards (think Game Center vs. OpenFeint) in games for some time to come.

GameSmart control products will function through the Bluetooth Smart stack, and will be game and hardware independent, with a smart device app for iOS or Android to provide additional functionality. By utilizing Bluetooth Smart, GameSmart devices will feature simplified setup, longer battery life and universal compatibility. In addition, GameSmart offers game developers and game publishers standardization, ease of implementation and scalability when enabling controller and console-like accessory functionality in mobile games.

All you'll need is a dock for your iPad or perhaps a gamepad that can accept your smartphone to create an all-portable solution. Mad Catz intends to launch a full range of GameSmart products, including game controllers, gaming mice, gaming keyboards, headsets, and other speciality controllers. The GameSmart products will also be app-enabled to provide additional functionality. The first wave of GameSmart products will be announced at CES 2013 and are expected to launch shortly thereafter.

Here comes the Apple games controller

It has always seemed pretty inevitable, that Apple would take gaming seriously at some point. The company has hired gaming industry experts and has advanced the iPad and iPhone hardware to be good at producing high-quality gaming visuals. There is little other reason for the hi-spec GPU in the devices.

So, in a recently granted patent approval, we have a traditional looking gaming controller. I'm not a lawyer, but Apple really can't patent something that has existed for what, 12-15 years? Especially one with a wire sticking out of it, that's very un-Apple.

However, that design could be shielding the real one, which Apple could spring on the world, perhaps with touch sensor pads like the Xperia Play, or some other innovation. Given the number of patents that companies put out, this could be just a hedge, and it may never happen, but MS and Sony had better watch out if Apple really is serious about gaming now.

Be it through an Apple HDTV, Apple TV box, or an iPad, using NFC or another system, gaming via Apple is probably about to get a whole lot interesting.