MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
Apple is to launch an official gamepad for iOS devices “soon”, according to a report.
As reported by PocketGamer, the dedicated controller is set to be formally announced at the mobile giant’s annual press event in April.
A number of developers said although they have yet to see the gamepad first-hand, Apple, operating under a different name at GDC, has told them what to expect.
The gamepad could be part of Apple’s plans long-expected plans to tackle the TV in the living room.
The announcement of any kind of console, Smart TV or other TV-connected hardware would provide a huge challenge to the likes of Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony, and would also be worrying news for the wave of new Android TV companies such as Ouya and GameStick.
Last year Apple filed a patent that suggested the iPhone could be used as a game controller. Although thought to be at the conceptual stage at the time, it could mean that the iPhone, rather than a specific gamepad, could be turned into a controller.
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