Shane Cole
PC gaming peripheral maker SteelSeries on Monday took the covers off of a new Made for iPhone game controller that connects to iOS devices wirelessly over Bluetooth, the first of its kind.
Unlike competitive devices from Moga and Logitech, SteelSeries's Stratus is designed as a standalone controller, rather than one that wraps around the user's device. Not only does this mean the Stratus can be used as a game controller for iPad, but also for older devices that do not use Apple's Lightning connector — Â like an iPhone 4s running iOS 7 — Â as well as future models that may not share the iPhone 5's form factor.
The Stratus uses Apple's "extended" controller layout, providing gamers with a directional pad, four action buttons and four shoulder buttons alongside dual analog sticks. SteelSeries says an integrated battery can power the gamepad for approximately 10 hours on a full charge and can be topped up via USB in around 2 hours.
Up to four Stratus controllers can be connected to a single iOS device for use in multiplayer games and Wiimote-like LED lights help players determine which controller is which.
"With Stratus, gamers have easy and direct access to a growing roster of great games on iPad that were intended for an immersive, controller-enabled experience," SteelSeries CEO Bruce Hawver said in a release announcing the device. "We're incredibly excited to be the first gaming peripherals company to develop a standalone controller for iOS devices and are thrilled to see an abundance of high quality game titles rolling out from publishers everyday."
The SteelSeries Stratus comes in both black and white and is available for pre-order today from the company's website for $99.99.
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19 Comments
Finally, a proper iOS bluetooth controller. Besides not knowing its ergonomics/build quality, the price is very steep. PS3 controllers which this is akin to are $50, the more advanced ps4 controller is about $70. I think $70-75 should be the most they could get away with charging. Now if only apple quits the ATV and replaces it with a screenless ipad... (or bring full iOS to ATV) that will support these devices and other iOS devices as controllers. I think nintendo would quake in their booties...
That’s just crazy.
Nice but for $100?
"Now if only apple quits the ATV and replaces it with a screen less iPad" That's what the Apple TV is already; a screen-less, battery-less iPod Touch with optical audio & HDMI.
I can't understand why anyone would want a separate controller unless the game was being streamed to the AppleTV. Especially for an iPhone. Let's carry around an accessory that's twice as big as the phone and figure out some way to prop the phone so you can use the controller. This might be the best iOS compatible controller so far but that's not really something to brag about right now. And their commercial is ridiculous. Two teenagers huddled around the tiny iPad screen wearing huge headphones because the iPad speaker is crap. Yep, that certainly inspires me to rush out and buy one.