The iPhone gets a controller - The GameBone Pro

  • By SarjuS, GameSpot
  • Posted Jun 23, 2009 2:00 pm PT

The iPhone and iPod Touch made a huge splash in the gaming world, but a touch screen and tilt functionality take you only so far. An outfit from Australia called 22moo decided to remedy the matter with an external controller called the GameBone Pro. The company doesn't have a price point yet, but...

The iPhone and iPod Touch made a huge splash in the gaming world, but a touch screen and tilt functionality take you only so far. An outfit from Australia called 22moo decided to remedy the matter with an external controller called the GameBone Pro. The company doesn't have a price point yet, but they aim to have the controller out by September this year.

GameBone Pro Iphone controller

The GameBone Pro comes with a D-pad, four buttons in a cross configuration, and two shoulder buttons. A 2000mAh battery powers the device, and Bluetooth and a 30-pin dock act to connect the controller to the iPhone. A built-in speaker plays back sounds and a mic records audio. An additional 3.5'' jack allows audio to play through headphones.

If one company is making an iPhone controller, there are likely others in the wings. Which brings us to the issue of controller standards. The Wii has its Remote, the PS3 its DualShock. Anybody making a controller for either of those consoles has to at least incorporate the standard button scheme. The iPhone has no such template. Who knows how many different kinds of designs we'll see.

Buttons and a D-pad would be an amazing addition to the iPhone. However, the bulk an external controller adds also poses a concern. Would you stuff a controller into your pocket alongside an iPhone or iPod Touch?

217 Comments

  • shani_boy101

    Posted Sep 12, 2009 4:09 am PT

    lol, this completely defeats the purpose of the touch screen. see Steve Jobs, THIS is why the iPhone and iPod Touch will never reach the gaming quality of the DS and PSP. and you said games on the PSP and DS weren't fun? imagine this on the side of your iPhone while playing mostly lame and overpriced games.

  • nomadski69

    Posted Aug 24, 2009 5:28 am PT

    So the iPhone docks into the controller? Great. Now tell me how you play games in landscape mode....

    Such a horrible design, a horrible name (Will you hold my gamebone a second?) and complete and utter fail on the practicality side.

    Im amazed Apple, being such a design contiencious company, would let such a minging piece of plastic be anywhere near their device.

  • Pwnd56

    Posted Aug 22, 2009 1:43 pm PT

    one word to describe this

    FAIL.

  • Killer6b9

    Posted Aug 21, 2009 9:51 pm PT

    Looks like a PS3 controller made by Microsoft to me.....kind of funny to look at it that way, but it does. My major question is, where do you mount the ipod? you surely are not expected to hold the remote with two hands and have the ipod float, right? Already see major design flaws....start over guys and gals!

  • REAL_BALLER_69

    Posted Jul 26, 2009 9:33 pm PT

    how do u connect the controller to you're ipod device?

  • DotComBoris

    Posted Jul 26, 2009 12:59 am PT

    Its not April 1st, so it can not be an Aprils Fool joke!

  • DotComBoris

    Posted Jul 26, 2009 12:56 am PT

    Buy a PSP instead, only one thing to hold!

  • acsam12304

    Posted Jul 19, 2009 10:39 am PT

    oh for sure i will look so cool carrying this controller around for my iphone and trying to actually use it. LMAO

  • CaptainMuse

    Posted Jul 17, 2009 2:47 pm PT

    PSP phone

  • mooooo99

    Posted Jul 4, 2009 6:55 am PT

    that looks terrible, why would the iphone need a controller anyway? ? also the name and design, in fact the general idea is crap

  • EdibleFood

    Posted Jul 3, 2009 11:03 am PT

    lol "Bone"!!111oneoneoneeee

  • bschroth

    Posted Jul 2, 2009 9:46 am PT

    i like the idea but it's a complete waste. it kinda kills the appeal of the iphone.

  • jazzyrider

    Posted Jun 30, 2009 11:13 am PT

    lol !!

  • MacBeth96

    Posted Jun 29, 2009 9:02 am PT

    First, the design is just ridiculous, like the name.
    Second, if I hold the controller, who's holding my iPhone or iPod Touch?

    It might be a better design if the iPhone could be plugged in directly on the controller... but then you'd end up with something that looks like a PSP...

    I'll stick to the Touch Screen...

  • PS23wiinerd

    Posted Jun 28, 2009 11:16 am PT

    if you have a dog and want it to play (games) whith you , buy this controller lololololololool

  • kiloai

    Posted Jun 28, 2009 2:20 am PT

    Instead of a bone look like controller, why not on each edge an apple like shape!? I think Ace-Killer ideia is cool.

  • noheartsniper

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 1:49 pm PT

    lol read the article everybody

    a 30-pin dock act to connect the controller to the iPhone. its in the article lol but this is a horrible design

  • Mr_Upstage

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 9:34 am PT

    This is stupid. If they're going to make a controller for it, it has to be one the iPhone can be inserted into. How is someone supposed to hold the controller with two hands if they're already holding the phone?

  • thetravman

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 9:46 pm PT

    My dog would chew the hell out of this.

    How you can you play this with an external controller? Just a technical powerhouse and all of a sudden they come out with a joke like this.

  • TehUndeadHorror

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 9:32 pm PT

    Fail.

  • bullfrogboy

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 9:19 pm PT

    that's the stupidest looking controller i've ever seen.

  • stewiegriffin20

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 8:51 pm PT

    The Idea of a controller is cool, but this is just ridiculous. Ill just stick to tapping my screen.

  • lobert124

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 7:59 pm PT

    Oh boy something else for my dogs to chew. Lol

  • MaddenBowler10

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 7:13 pm PT

    it might work if they have a slot on top of the controller where the iphone locks into

  • valuum

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 7:06 pm PT

    Bahahaha!

  • KillerOttsel

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 6:45 pm PT

    Why..? Just why?

  • spicyramen08

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 6:41 pm PT

    how bout ipod comes out with some way to have gamers enjoy their applications on an ipod with a slide out controller like psp go except dont count on it.

  • spicyramen08

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 6:38 pm PT

    this is the worst controller design i have seen.

  • noheartsniper

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 6:09 pm PT

    this is just becoming too much... its really funny that people would buy this. and one thing about the itouch or iphone is that once the touch screen breaks your phone is broke. thats why i didnt bother with it

  • DoorinD

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 6:07 pm PT

    I don't think standards are going to end up being as big a hurdle as one might think; Something along these lines (essentially an SNES controller) will come out that is a really solid piece of hardware, probably attaching to or cradling the iPhone to allow for motion controls, and most games will be designed with that configuration in mind. Sure there will always be games that want unique peripherals, but that's the same as today's console games; I think that game developers will probably understand that they'll sell more games if they develop with a de facto standard in mind. Hardware developers will acknowledge this as well, and realize that they'll sell more units if their hardware is compatible with the majority of games being written. Essentially, I can see the market smoothing out the wrinkles here.

  • CheeseRa

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 6:06 pm PT

    that's the ugliest controller i've ever seen in my life

  • Procoprio

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 6:01 pm PT

    This has to be a joke.

  • NDLord

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 6:01 pm PT

    Yeah... Okay... And what am I supposed to do with my iPod then? Glue it to my face? I do not see the point of this...

  • cu_be_cie

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 5:57 pm PT

    It looks absolutely stupid.

  • kong_sevixnine

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 5:54 pm PT

    Would you stuff a controller into your pocket alongside an iPhone or iPod Touch?
    No.

  • JunkyMcMuffin

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 5:46 pm PT

    Sounds pretty stupid

  • Rekunta

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 5:25 pm PT

    Kinda defeats the purpose of playing on a portable, doesn't it? Jeeez

  • AyuSora

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 5:08 pm PT

    Looks like there might be some promises, but I don't think it'll go so far. @tsduv21 is right that you'd have to worry about where to hold the iPhone/iPod Touch, and there's also that issue of different possible variations. I'm sure it will be incorporated some, though.

  • av10

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 5:08 pm PT

    what about when you need to turn the ipod or iphone. is it gonna be adjustable?
    I dont know about this...

  • tsduv21

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 4:30 pm PT

    Okay, and how am I supposed to hold the iPod then?

  • Glokwerk

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 4:24 pm PT

    WHYYYYYY! The I phone does not need another app (face it that is prety much what this is) that is going to half work, then they will take 2 years to finally get it right an then re release it as the 2.0 version

  • nickythenewt21

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 4:17 pm PT

    A wireless controller for a portable device?!?!

    ....wow. How do you even play that when you're on the go?

  • trick6952

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 3:59 pm PT

    it would of been better if you can actually have the conroller hook up someway to the iPhone but other than that im not goint to wanna carry this around with me, besides I dont even play games on my iphone its completely filled with music and apps

  • Coronithofcork

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 3:50 pm PT

    What the heck is the point of making this peice of crap like really when in heck am i ever gonna use this? I hope who ever made this peice of junk loses a huge ammount of money!

  • DarthEthong467

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 3:44 pm PT

    Wow, fail.

    Although it might give all the spoiled rich kids something to do and buy.

  • Articfox6

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 3:33 pm PT

    Seems like you would only use it at home. Imagine, waiting at a bus stop and pulling out this thing. Even the homeless would call you names.

  • roxaslordXIII

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 3:19 pm PT

    ...just sad

  • grafkhun

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 3:14 pm PT

    Gah! it cannot be unseen...

  • OOOOhhhhh

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 2:47 pm PT

    2000mAh that's pretty good

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