Neil Hughes
Firemint declared that its racing game will be "first" to allow "wireless big screen gaming" when Apple's iOS 5 arrives this fall. AirPlay Mirroring for iPad 2 was one of many features for iOS 5 highlighted by Apple this week, and the feature will allow users to wirelessly stream whatever is on their iPad 2 screen to an HDTV via Apple TV.
Currently, AirPlay allows users to stream video and audio content to the Apple TV. But AirPlay Mirroring will allow games like Real Racing 2 HD (iTunes link) to offer a more traditional console-like gaming experience, with the iPad 2 acting as a controller for games being played on the big screen.
Previously, Firemint took advantage of Apple's new HDMI adapter to offer 1080p output of Real Racing 2 HD. But that method required users to be tethered to their TV with an HDMI cable.
With iOS 5 and AirPlay Mirroring, Real Racing 2 HD, which sells for $9.99 on the App Store, will be "the most liberating and immersive racing experience ever," Firemint said. The new version will offer full-screen gameplay without a border on an HDTV.
"Relish Real Racing 2 HD's superb visuals as they're streamed effortlessly to your big screen TV," the developer said. "Grip your iPad 2 and steer with unerring precision and the freedom of wireless play. Stay closer than ever to the track with real-time racing telemetry, displayed directly on your iPad's screen."
Both an Apple TV-connected HDTV and the iPad 2 display will be utilized by the game, offering dual-screen gaming over AirPlay. It's a gameplay experience not unlike Nintendo's Wii U, announced at the Electronic Entertainment Expo this week.
The highlight of Nintendo's next-generation console is its controller, which features a 6-inch resistive single-touch screen that has drawn comparisons to Apple's iPad. But Nintendo's touchscreen will be driven by the power of the Wii U gaming console it wirelessly connects to, while the iPad is a standalone device.
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Malcolm Owen
Andrew Orr
Andrew O'Hara
William Gallagher
22 Comments
There's an error in the article. The game is $9.99, not $12.99. My intelligent guess is that the price mentioned in the article is listed in Australian dollars.
on/off topic - the rumours of Apple TV as a an actual panel ... I no more think they are going this way... the included mirroring functionality seem to suggest they are on their way to push a TV box or console some time in the future, not an actual screen. If you think of it, they do already offer a reasonably large 27" panel (many ppl use panels even smaller around their houses).
Considering, there are screen offers now that bring loads of pixels to a 10" screens, Apple might go for a 40-42" screen (the largest market) as monitor/TV screen, but with Apple TV as a box, not as a built in functionality.
Just my personal op.
Id guess that the new iPhone will have the improved graphics that will allow this too.
But, although this sounds fine for letting others watch what you're playing, I'm skeptical that you will be able to watch the screen and tilt to steer, like a console with a controller. There may just be too much lag. Even a fraction of a second could throw things off too much. My guess is that they'll need to do the game processing on the Apple Tv itself before this will really work.
I’m curious about what kind of frame rate and delay you’ll get using wireless streaming of in-game graphics, rather than a direct connection with HDMI. Can wireless streaming really keep it up so you get a nice gaming experience without stuttering graphics and delays on the TV?
on/off topic - the rumors of Apple TV as a an actual panel ... I no more think they are going this way... the included mirroring functionality seem to suggest they are on their way to push a TV box or console some time in the future, not an actual screen. If you think of it, they do already offer a reasonably large 27" panel (many ppl use panels even smaller around their houses).
Considering, there are screen offers now that bring loads of pixels to a 10" screens, Apple might go for a 40-42" screen (the largest market) as monitor/TV screen, but with Apple TV as a box, not as a built in functionality.
Just my personal op.
Most people refer to three future "Apple TV" options...
I think there is a third option that would be the best of all worlds, and that is Apple create a specification to control a TV from a Apple TV device connected to a Thunderbolt port on the screen.
That way if you wanted to AirPlay to the TV the Apple TV box would automatically take over, switching the screen on if required and changing to the correct input.
It would also be able to create PIP, PBP or screen overlays if required (messages, notifications, game invites etc etc).
The benefit of having the Apple TV control the screen without being built in is that you could easily upgrade your Apple TV box.
There is also plenty of precedents for this kind of thing (Anynet+, Aquos Link, BRAVIA Sync, VIERA Link etc)