Bringing console-style controls to smartphones and tablets.
Swedish company Fructel is attempting to do what previous companies – most notably Zeemote – failed to do by launching a wireless controller that transforms an Android smartphone into a portable games console.
Gametel is currently compatible with Android devices running Android 2.1.1 or later. But it has plans to migrate to iOS, RIM and WinPho in the coming months.
It is available in the UK rom early December at an RRP of £49.95.
The peripheral connects to a phone/tablet via Bluetooth or via a spring-loaded clamp that docks to a handset. Once paired it automatically connects to the device every time it is powered on.
It looks like a standard console joypad, with D-pad, four buttons and two shoulder triggers.
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Fructel says 50 compatible games are available to download from the Android market, including Cordy, Asphalt 5 HD, Reckless Getaway, Guns’n’Glory, MotoX Mayhem, Happy Vikings and Zenonia.
This is not the first time such a peripheral has been launched. There was Zeemote, but there was a Sony Ericsson add-on going back to 2005.
Fructel believes these efforts were ahead of their time and that Gametel will succeed because of the huge adoption of mobile gaming by erstwhile players of handheld gaming devices.
Mike Midgen, VP of sales and business development at Fructel, told ME: "There's a huge audience of core gamers out there playing games on phones, but getting frustrated by having to put their fingers on the screen, and covering up the action.
"That's why we think the time is right for the Gametel controller."
Fructel is currently in discussions with developers about adding more compatible titles to the catalogue, and hope to set up bundling deals with operators and handset makers soon.
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Comments
2 comments
It's just a cheap copy of the iControlPad :
http://www.icontrolpad.com/
DEF hutchin Nov 16th 2011 at 8:04PM
0 0I like the Gametel more, it looks better. The IControlPad is ugly in comparison. You buy what you prefer, I know my choice :-)
Jonny Brendmund Nov 17th 2011 at 9:47AM
0 0