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As much as I love gaming, I’d have to say that it can sometimes be a pretty painful task on my smartphone. Say what you will about virtual d-pads, analog sticks or buttons — they just ain’t right. Try throwing a hadouken or making a head shot and you’ll soon learn it’s damn near impossible without tactile feedback. Not to mention your chubby fingers all over the screen, obstructing your view. Nothing — and mean nothing, will ever be able to replace good, old fashioned, physical buttons for the gaming enthusiast.
Sony Ericsson knew this fact and it’s one of the reasons they launched the Xperia Play. The only problem was, not everyone wanted or even had the option of choosing that device on their carrier. Also, you could look pretty silly showing up to a board room meeting with your Xperia Play for all to see. But what if you could just detach that wonderful d-pad and attach it to your smartphone of choice. That’s the idea behind Fructel’s Gametel universal wireless controller for Android.
The Gametel wireless controller easily attaches to any smartphone and uses a combination of Bluetooth and the custom driver app (located in the Android Market) to pair with your Android device. Fructel is currently in talks with app developers to make their games compatible with the Gametel controller seeing how the games that are “Xperia Play optimized,” wont show up in the Market for anyone who owns a different device. As of now, there are a little over 50 titles that will work just fine when the Gametel controller is ready to launch.
The best part of the Gametel controller? Well, it’s wireless. That means you can hook up your phone to your TV using HMDI out and still be able to play your favorite games from anywhere in the room. Now, THAT is versatility. The Gametel wireless controller is set to launch in time for Christmas for the low price of £49.95. Regardless of whether or not I’ve been good this year, I can guarantee that this will definitely be under my Christmas tree this year.
[Gametel via Pocketgamer]
Wait, Chris…. no mention of iControlPad?
What’s an iControlPad? O_o
I dont know.. but it sounds like something made by SummersEve or Playtex. O_o
…and Apple.
Let’s women control their periods so they can choose when to go off on you.
Same product, except it’s been out for over a year…
They totally stole this idea from the iControlPad, even the use of the attachment that holds the phone and controller together.
Steve Jobs was here.
At that price, I’d rather buy an iControlPad. But neither are actually convenient. I’ll just wait for the Xperia Play 2, or Playstation Phone now that Sony owns the whole kit and kaboodle.
Pretty cool
Seriously why is this product getting so much press? Its a blatant Icontrolpad ripoff.
Who cares about icrap
You do realize that the iControlpad is made for ALL smartphones and tablets, right? it’s just a name. It’s not limited to use with Apple products. So… what makes it crap?
As these phones/tabs become sophisticated enough to play some intense games, these wireless controllers will really take off… I know I’d have one for my phone. First… upgrade from my Original EVO
Sweet. Can’t wait to get one.
Is this compatible with the Logitech Revue?
50 euros comes out to about 67 – 68 without shipping… lol i want 2
That, my friend, is a pound sign, so double and a half the amount. Quite bitesy to tell you the truth.
actually, the conversion rate from £ to $ is more like 1.58, not 2.5 (but yes, still expensive!)
Great idea. Hopefully it works well and comes to the States. I wanna play X-Men with a real controller!
Ill be getting one of these as soon as i get my gnex witch feels like never
I think that the SixAxis controller, along with the SixAxis application pairing app in the market is a better solution than this.
The only problem I have with that is I need to prop up my device to play it at a tablet or in bed.
Unless of course somebody makes a universal clamp O_o
Chris is right. I don’t have a kickstand, so I have to like lay my phone on my lap and view games at that weird angle. Also, apps in the market aren’t compatible, but this controller will have compatible apps
And I don’t think you can use this SixAxis controller while you’re standing in line waiting for something unless you’re a psychic with cellekinetic powers. (it’s a cell phone not a telephone. :P)
This makes it more convenient. And no root required. (Not that no-rooting matters)
You guys are right. I guess I didn’t see it before. I mainly use that in conjunction with HDMI out. No wonder it never affected me. I’ll have to give this a look then.
Yea. Atleast the iControlPad has analog sticks. Unless this thing has them hidden very well.
No analog sticks and £49.95 is cheap for a controller?
Console system will be disappearing unless they do something.
Cool device. Now where are the bluetooth keyboards that actually work and don’t cost a fortune ?
how far can that retractable mount open? would a galaxy tab be able to fit in there? (there’s no mention of that spec on it’s product page/etc…)
I don’t think you’d want to hold any tablet with this. Even with the lightness of today’s tablets, simple mechanics will turn them into badass levers when held at the edge.
Seems a tad pricey for six buttons and a D-Pad if you ask me. I don’t see this getting me to drop my Xperia Play just yet. Maybe when my contract is up. Til then though I will continue to make due with my Xperia Play and spiffy new Acer tablet.
Reminds me of the first project I backed on Kickstarter, The “Bluetooth Game Gripper”. Unfortunately it didn’t meet it’s target :(
This says it charges by “Standard USB” I really hope that means Micro USB and not Mini.
The iControlPad is better, has more features, supports all the games the Gametel does and more, and is shipping now: http://www.icontrolpad.com/order/
With dates as sketchy and late to the game as “early to mid December” I wouldn’t wait for the Gametel unless you relish in disappointment.
At £50, it’s also pretty poor value for money compared to the iControlPad which is superior in basically every way bar aesthetics.
Wow, thanks for the tip! I had not heard of the iControlPad before but it looks like exactly what I have been waiting for as it includes analog sticks :)
Will it work with htc sense?
Six axis controller works great, on my sgs2, standard ps3 controllers, why would you want this?