So with the reveal of Nintendo’s Wii U we’ve seen the first use of a touchscreen dedicated to console gaming – which admittedly is pretty unique, even if the console overall isn’t really anything special. However, we’ve just seen something that kind of does the same thing if on a lesser scale. If you really want your controller to look like your tablet or smartphone – just use your iPhone!
Joypad is a free to download app through the Apple App Store which along with a downloaded client app allows you to connect wirelessly via Wi-Fi connection and play games on your PC or Mac, with the iPhone or iPad as the standard method of control. The touchscreen’s display appears as two large buttons and a directional pad to allow full control on a number of downloadable games.
It’s not very sophisticated and we wouldn’t imagine this app would offer an incredibly versatile gaming experience – just yet. But the Joypad is highly praised by industry names and online sources, has the potential to run and is now open to developers to tinker with.
Bearing in mind Wii U’s innovative HD touch control system on its way in 2012 this little novelty might just light the way forward for others. Nintendo has shown naivety in not joining the mobile market so this could be the time for Apple, Android and Windows Phone developers to act. Just imagine your Windows Phone controlling your Xbox 360, or delivering exclusive new content and updates from mobile-to-console.
Check out the promo clip below and read more about the Joypad app at http://getjoypad.com
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