Leaked Image Of Logitech’s iPhone Controller
This summer, in June, Apple announced that it modified the iOS SDK in order to support hardware game controllers, that will allow iPhone, iPad and iPod touch gamers to experience games just like on dedicated gaming handhelds such as the Nintendo 3DS and the Playstation Vita. Apple’s MFi standard for controller was teased by Crytek (of Crysis fame) with an iOS tactical action game named ‘The Collectibles’. However, since then we haven’t seen or heard much of the actual controllers.
Today, released a leaked image showing Logitech’s controller add-on for iPhone. The leaked image seems to be a press shot of the upcoming controller. The leaked image is pretty similar to the blurry image leaked in June, with a D-Pad, 4 face buttons and two shoulder triggers. It is also a pretty long add-on as it seems to double the iPhone in length. Another interesting thing to note from the leaked image is that Logitech made sure to leave the rear camera free, a move that could come in handy as the iPhone’s rear camera could be used fro augmented reality apps and games. If the leaked image is representative of the final design or not remains to be seen when Logitech will release the controller.
Apple’s MFi program will allow users to use two types of controllers and two types of configurations. One of the types of controllers is the one that you can see in evleak’s leaked image: it is an add-on controller that allows you to dock your iPhone into the controller. The second type of controllers is the classical, standalone controller that you will be able to connect to your iPhone via Bluetooth. Logitech’s controller uses Apple’s standard layout, but there is also an Extended layout for MFi controllers; this Extended layout will allow dual sticks and another set of shoulder triggers, just like a Playstation 3 or Xbox 360 controller. For now controllers for mobile devices are just a niche, but there their future looks promising. There are many iOS triple A games that could use physical controls so gamers might embrace these upcoming controllers.
