The iOS controller market is certainly heating up.
Yesterday I reviewed the SteelSeries Stratus and today at CES 2014, a new manufacturer, SIGNAL™, has just announced their upcoming entry into the growing iOS controller market, the RP One.
The RP One, which looks a lot like an Xbox 360 controller, but with the stick/dpad layout of a PlayStation controller, opts for the much more appealing stand-alone design (like the Stratus) allowing gamers to use it with a wide variety of iOS devices. Obviously adopting Apple’s ‘extended’ controller spec, the RP One features dual analog sticks, a dpad, 4 buttons and two pairs of shoulder/trigger buttons. The larger size of the controller and shoulder button placement leads me to believe that the RP One will address the couple of minor issues that I had with the SteelSeries Stratus.
“We are at the dawn of the next major era of gaming,” says SIGNAL Director of Business Development & Channel Marketing, Mark Prince. “The RP One is our invitation to the future. Gamers want to experience their favorite titles anywhere, anytime, without limitation, and the RP One enables them to do it. It is the first full-scale controller designed specifically for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch.”
A universal iDevice stand is included with the RP One and we are told that it is compatible with most covers and cases. The controller’s built-in rechargeable battery provides up to 10 hours of continuous play and can be used while charging with the included cable. If you are lucky enough to be attending CES 2014, SIGNAL is demoing the controller (at Booth #6006), otherwise it will be available for purchase in the first half of 2014 for $99.99 MSRP.
These are certainly exciting times for iOS gamers!
