Comments on: Latest iControlPad Accessory Video Shows Major Redesign

By: Barcelona

Barcelona — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 22:34:35 +0000

Please please stick with the original design. This new design might be more functional but less practical and portable. At the end of the day, we want something that can fit in our pockets.

By: Stormchild

Stormchild — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:01:43 +0000

What's truly disgusting is your disgraceful attitude about something so incredibly petty.

By: TKO

TKO — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:29:30 +0000

{shrugs} ..There's nothing I'd really want changed about it. Looks pretty good as is. (My suggestion about maybe moving the analogue nubs up to a similar level to the d-pad still stands ..but it's not a dealbreaker.)

Good luck with it. Looks good!

By: Ed

Ed — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:53:59 +0000

I'd guess the official SDK says that addons can only be used with single apps. I'd guess anyway. It's the kind of thing Apple would say.

As for this prototype - how about putting some controls on the BACK? Most controls are still usable without being visible and it could significantly reduce the footprint of the addon.

By: C Lewis

C Lewis — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:57:37 +0000

To further underscore my useless and boring blathering points, Apple SDK terms could dictate that apps that support external controllers must by default have on-screen controls/keyboard in order to be approved.

That would eliminate apps that would be broken because they require hardware the user might not own or be carrying at that specific time.

What would be cool is if the app recognizes at launch whether or not an external input device is available.

By: C Lewis

C Lewis — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:54:35 +0000

To further underscore my blathering points, Apple SDK terms could dictate that apps that support external controllers must by default have on-screen controls/keyboard in order to be approved.

That would eliminate apps that would be broken because they require hardware the user might not own or be carrying at that specific time.

What would be cool is if the app recognizes at launch whether or not it an external input device is available.

By: C Lewis

C Lewis — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:47:54 +0000

Yeah, what would y'all b*tches up in accounting say?

By: eric

eric — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:16:52 +0000

ZodTTD-----
as far as looks......well the first design was better (longer....but better) this new design however gives us the chance to charge our devices AS WE PLAY! something that should be a big factor so the question becomes do we the users want asthetically pleasing or functioning? some people have suggested a PSP-GO style well that may jump the price tag up up hell we already paid 100-400 for our devieces why not some more for this! i know i signed up THE SECOND DAY it was out when it showed up on mmi and ur Zod website.....but it doesn't really matter if its this look or the previous (which i prefer) i'd still buy it (at a reasonable price 30-130) hope i gave you some good input ZODTTD

By: David P

David P — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:28:20 +0000

Wow.. What's with all the hate?! Someone is being innovative and building something for a device we all love. We're not forced to buy it if we don't want to... but can't we at least encourage the grass roots effort here?!

I love my iphone. But I don't play some of the games for it as I find touch screen virtual pads to be cumbersome and poor excuses for the real thing. So, I limit myself to playing games that are built for the features that the iphone excels at.. accelerometer and touch screen.

This would open up a whole new world for me.

ZodTTD, in my opinion it HAS to include the analog sticks. Otherwise the device is limited to a small selection of games on the iphone, and emulation. Do what you have to do to the design to keep this feature!

Keep up the great work.

By: monkeys

monkeys — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:22:34 +0000

C'mon. You're going to take that name but then ruin the joke by not writing like Herbert?

By: John

John — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:13:44 +0000

Great idea. But I agree it needs to be slide out controls like psp. This will be a must have for me.

By: GreyDawn

GreyDawn — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:05:15 +0000

But iPhone/Touch is SO limited as a full-out gaming system right down to screen size. I think the point is that the iPhone only works as a gaming system within its own boundaries, and if we're going to go adding things like this to it then it no longer is the same sort of product, but rather trying to be something that it is not and that other devices do in VASTLY superior ways.

By: HerbertKornfeld

HerbertKornfeld — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:00:24 +0000

Another thing that's maybe worth considering is that some games (Pac-Man, vertical shooters, etc) use a portrait orientation. It would be nice if you could somehow place your iPhone into the iControlPad vertically.

An inelegant solution would be to have a shell that you place in the hole where the iPhone normally sits when in landscape orientation. With something like this, you'd still be able to use this device with the rare vertical game.

By: Felipe

Felipe — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:54:00 +0000

First and foremost let me tell you that what you are doing is amazing. I would buy this Control Pad the day it comes out. As for the product itself, I think that even though you have made great progress, you should keep it as small as possible. The old design was perfect because it was small and portable. Adding two analog nubs would be amazing, but then you would add too much size too it. Since the iPhone has a touchscreen, this can be used as a "analog stick" (kinda like Modern Combat to look around). One analog nub or a directional pad is perfect for the iDevices. Adding buttons (L and R, A, B, X and Y, Select and Start) would put the finishing touches. The battery is certainly a great idea, though, but I dont know how much size that might actually add. As for the color, Black and White is all you need for now, later on maybe you can add more colors, but just like the iPhone, Black and White is all you need.

By: C Lewis

C Lewis — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:43:17 +0000

ZodTTD:
I feel that the controls should be simpler and placed closer to the bottom of the screen. I know there may be space/engineering constraints but it would be nice if a thumb could make it back up to the screen without having to let go of the controller.