It could be that the prayers of iOS gamers everywhere are about to be answered. That’s right: Apple’s making a gamepad.
According to an article on GameRevolution, a patent published today details a Dualshock-style controller that would work with iOS devices connected via RFID or near-field communication protocols. This furthers speculation from a few months ago that Apple was working on such a controller and appears to be a significant shift away from their button-free vision for games on iOS devices.
Drawings from the patent show the game controller working in conjunction with to a “standalone media controller” or video game system. The Apple TV settop box already allows for wireless streaming of iOS games from an iPad or iPod touch, so it could fill either one of those descriptions.
The patent is also a sign that Apple plans to implement NFC technology in its next wave of products, as the document reveals a vision of iDevices controlling various appliances in a connected-home scenario. So, this AppleShock controller wouldn’t just let you steer Batman around Gotham City.
As with all things Apple and patent-related, what is spelled in the document may not actually come to pass. But, a dedicated controller might be the final element in making Apple TV an attractive video game console alternative. For a certain audience, anyway.
<a href=”https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/apple-patents-dualshock-style-game-controller-14241 [GameRevolution]
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