Still not convinced of the iOS as a handheld?

[Ivo]

I know this hurts collectors,but if you think about it, if it is a handheld and it is on the go., then you want to carry as less as you can, can you imagine if you had to carry a cd/cartridge/sd-card for every App or game you have on iOS. It won't be so popular.

A particularly stupid flaw of the original N-Gage (the QD doesn't have the problem) - you had to take out the battery to swap the game! That is even worse than having to carry different carts around, it is a bother to change them as well. No wonder it didn't take off (also, not any real killer apps to speak of, although it does have a few very high quality games).

I agree that for handhelds virtual collections are just the way forward in a very big way (I also think, that virtual collections are the future for non-handhelds as well - although I acknowledge the huge disadvantages).

Ivo.

[Jrecee]

I doubt it's likely, but I think if apple released an ipod touch with actual physical controls, they could possibly wipe out their handheld competition (at least sony anyway).

[GSZX1337]

I doubt it's likely, but I think if apple released an ipod touch with actual physical controls, they could possibly wipe out their handheld competition (at least sony anyway).

I've been wondering why Apple hasn't come out with any sort of physical control adapter for the iDevices myself.

[RCBH928]

I doubt it's likely, but I think if apple released an ipod touch with actual physical controls, they could possibly wipe out their handheld competition (at least sony anyway).

I've been wondering why Apple hasn't come out with any sort of physical control adapter for the iDevices myself.

Apple has this idea to make less not more, they are famous of canceling the floppy disk drive in '98 macs, and cd drive in early 2008 macbook air, 1 button on iPods/ipads.

If you ask me, I think its a good strategy, its something to avoid the ad-ons like what happened with the genesis with 32x and the sega cd. I hate ad-ons myself like on the Wii, wiifit, motion+ , connection two controllers, u get the idea.

None the less, I don't see how it could hurt if games can have a configuration for a 3rd party controller, it could be like a case with buttons(like the 3DS did with the analogue stick I believe) or even support for ps3/360 controllers. iPads have bluetooth, not sure if its that what ps3/360 use for wireless though.

[Ivo]

I doubt it's likely, but I think if apple released an ipod touch with actual physical controls, they could possibly wipe out their handheld competition (at least sony anyway).

I've been wondering why Apple hasn't come out with any sort of physical control adapter for the iDevices myself.

Apple has this idea to make less not more, they are famous of canceling the floppy disk drive in '98 macs, and cd drive in early 2008 macbook air, 1 button on iPods/ipads.

Or the 1-button mouse.

But I think there would be room for those kind of "docks" you see, but instead portable, with D-pad / buttons and perhaps extra battery. Might sell well too if games support it.

[GameMasterGuy]

iOS games have the potential to be good, as long as they don't try to use multitouch. Anything that does (emulators on jailbroken ones, Sonic ports, etc) ends up having you block half of the screen. One button platformers, turn based RPGs, and anything else that would only require only one thumb at a time, however, works beautifully.

[GSZX1337]

Apple has this idea to make less not more, they are famous of canceling the floppy disk drive in '98 macs, and cd drive in early 2008 macbook air, 1 button on iPods/ipads.

I understand that philosophy, but I was thinking that since Apple already makes docks and adapters that a joypad-like dock would fit right in with those. There's other companies making controller/arcade stick docks like the iCade, the Discovery Bay (which Apple sells through its own store), and the iControlPad. So there's evidence that there is a market for these.

even support for ps3/360 controllers. iPads have bluetooth, not sure if its that what ps3/360 use for wireless though.

The PS3 does, it's just that there needs to be a driver.

[ejamer]

Disagree with some of the points being made.

Are iOS systems really priced at $130-150? Because you can easily get a 3DS for that price or less. iOS consoles are expensive gadgets that are designed to appeal to a certain market. Nobody buys an comparatively expensive iOS system because they want the games; people do it because of other features and then play iOS games because "hey, why not?"

Also, comparing sales isn't really very useful here. The majority of iOS games are priced under $2, and the vast majority of those games really aren't worth playing for more than a few minutes. They are literally "throw away" entertainment for most people buying them, and the price/content generally lives up to that idea.

I know there are plenty of exceptions and that it's possible things will change over time... But the generalization is still accurate at the moment. It's like people claiming that the indie scene on PC is going to kill console gaming because there is so much top-notch content being sold for so little. Despite being partly true that's just not going to happen.

[Jrecee]

First, they do make controller adapters for iphone (not apple). There's controller type cradles that fit the whole thing in them, and regular controllers that connect, and then there's the icade which I believe has an iphone version coming out or out. But none of these things are standard. And none of them are endorsed by apple. And none of them are sitting on the shelf at best buy.

Even if you could easily find these controllers/add-ons, they're never going to become a standard, and therefore developers will never fully embrace them. Nobody's going to make a controller-centric game if it loses them 99% of their potential audience. Even if apple released an actual ipod with controls built in, it would take time for developers to take advantage of it. But, it would happen eventually.

I agree about apple simplifying their products (well, I personally can't stand it, 1 button mouse worthlessness for example) but creating a system with physical controls is creating a new product and entering a new market.

iOS games have the potential to be good, as long as they don't try to use multitouch. Anything that does (emulators on jailbroken ones, Sonic ports, etc) ends up having you block half of the screen. One button platformers, turn based RPGs, and anything else that would only require only one thumb at a time, however, works beautifully.

Which is why my game has a border/control panel at the bottom so your fingers don't actually cover the action.

[GSZX1337]

Nobody buys an comparatively expensive iOS system because they want the games;

<-------considering an iPod for the games