We’ve been promised that touchscreen smartphones and tablets are the future of mobile gaming, but those of us who grew up with Game Boys and Game Gears know that physical buttons and joysticks are still the way to go. That’s not to say touchscreen devices don’t make for wonderful portable consoles, they just need a little help, and this tiny Bluetooth controller will more than fill that role.
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We have seen mobile phones change in size over the years, most notably getting smaller and smaller in form factor until the explosion of touchscreen smartphones that eventually saw a movement in the opposite direction – that the display size itself starts to grow more and more, so much so an entire new category of devices had been created, being known as the “phablet”. Well, smartphones might be taking this particular design route, but not so with the $39.99 iMpulse, which is touted to be the smallest wireless controller for mobile devices in the world. Basically, with the iMpulse, you will be able to take full control of virtually any iOS or Android-powered Media Player app within a range of a hundred feet.
The iMpulse is small enough to fit into any pocket or handbag comfortably, where you can then control the volume on an iPhone’s playlist, or to use it as a D-pad for your Android games. It will connect to a compatible device using Bluetooth technology, and can also double up as a camera remote with your smartphone. Ah, that means you will need to get one of those tripods with flexible legs in order to take full advantage of it. The buttons themselves feature white backlight, making it a snap to play even when it is pitch black around you. A full charge of the rechargeable lithium polymer battery offers up to 9 hours of non-stop play.
[ iMpulse is the world’s smallest gaming & media controller copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
If you like gaming on the go but don’t like the onscreen controls, here’s a solution for you – the iMpulse gaming controller which is small enough to fit onto a keychain, but functional enough for you to get some gaming done. Put together by Black Power Media, the iMpulse is currently a Kickstarter project seeking funding so if the idea of being able to bring a gaming controller with you wherever you go while fitting into the pockets of your pants, you can head on over to its Kickstarter page to pledge a donation where a pledge of $30 will net you the controller upon its successful funding and release.
So, what will you get for your $30? Well for starters you will be getting a Bluetooth gaming controller that comes with four buttons and a control pad, which can be used to play supported iOS and Android games. It is also ambidextrous which means gamers who are a lefty or righty should have no problems using it. To top it all off, given that it can be used as a keychain, an alarm can be activated via an accompanying app that will help you locate your keys in the event that you’ve misplaced them. For those more into multiplayer gaming, two of the iMpulse controllers can be used at the same time, so multiplayer gaming on the go is feasible (assuming the game is supported, of course). Sounds pretty good! Anyone planning on pledging a donation to make the iMpulse become a reality?
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: The iControlPad 2 is an open source controller that will work across the board, Project Eternity did not take that long to achieve Kickstarter funding goal,
Looking to unload your unwanted gaming gear? You’re probably on your way to GameStop. As the largest dedicated video game retailer in the world, it’s hard to imagine a games enthusiast who hasn’t browsed its wares a time or two. Over the last few years, however, the firm has been expanding outside of retail sales — dipping its fingers into digital distribution, streaming and even phones and tablets. The brick-and-mortar store even seemed to be flirting with building a mobile network. With all these changes underfoot and a new console cycle just around the corner, it seemed like a good time to catch up with GameStop CEO Paul Raines to get some perspective.
Filed under: Gaming
The Engadget Interview: GameStop CEO Paul Raines talks tablets, OUYA and the MVNO that never was originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Aug 2012 14:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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