60Beat debuts GamePad for iOS devices

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60Beat debuts GamePad for iOS devices

60Beat has debuted its new GamePad for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. The GamePad is a hand-held game controller that connects to Apple’s portable devices via the headphone port, and offers dual analog joysticks, a d-pad, 10 action buttons, and three menu buttons. The device draws its power from the headphone port, and includes an audio splitter so users can continue to listen to audio via a set of headphones or external speakers with the controller attached. 60Beat’s GamePad for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch is available now and sells for $50.

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Comments

1

A fantastic concept for the die hard gamers among us, this could be a game changer in the console game war world. Point to note that on the 60Beat website it does state that the game pad only works with ‘compatible 60Beat games’ which currently is 2, with more due for release in February 2012 It will be interesting to see if they make the ability for the pad to be used by other game developers.

Posted by Chris Prosser on December 30, 2011 at 1:32 AM (PST)

2

#1 That is pretty cool. However, that is the same concern I have is just how many games actually support this. I’ve not checked this 60Beat outfit’s website, but hope they do provide an API to allow any developer to write new games that support this or update their existing games.

I was also curious to why this somewhat unusual connection scheme through the audio port instead of just going with blue tooth. Then I got to thinking perhaps for a cost reasons. With blue tooth, it would also be necessary to include a battery and all its associated electronics (charging, etc) in addition to the blue tooth transceiver itself. It would most likely ending being an $80+ item instead of $50. Perhaps in the future, if this product is successful and there is enough demand for it, they will offer a blue tooth version as well.

Posted by SkiBumMSP on December 30, 2011 at 9:38 AM (PST)

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