Shane Cole
Mobile accessory maker Signal entered the quickly-expanding Made for iPhone game controller race Tuesday with the RP One, a "pro style" controller that connects to Apple's iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch over Bluetooth.
The RP One sports an understated black-and-silver color scheme and takes advantage of Apple's "extended" controller layout option with action buttons, shoulder triggers, thumbsticks and a single directional pad. Signal says the RP One is "the first full-scale controller designed specifically for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch," indicating that the controller is closer in size to an Xbox or PlayStation unit than the smaller, portable devices released thus far.
Consumers purchasing an RP One will also receive a universal stand designed to prop up any of Apple's mobile devices, even while the handset or tablet is wrapped in a cover or case. A built-in Lithium Ion battery is said to power the RP One for up to 10 hours.
Signal is the second company to unveil an MFi-certified Bluetooth controller at this year's Consumer Electronics Show after PC peripheral manufacturer SteelSeries unwrapped their new Stratus controller on Monday. Like the RP One, the Stratus uses Apple's "extended" configuration and features a built-in battery good for 10 hours of play time.
Signal says the RP One will be available in the first half of 2014 for $99.99, the same suggested retail pricing chosen by the category's other players.
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20 Comments
Microsoft might have something to say about their controller design… and name.
One price to rule them all.
I've never used any sort of Bluetooth game controller before, but are they good enough for games?
What is the latency with this Bluetooth controller? Is it any slower compared to native control? I have read about some Bluetooth speakers having latency, so that's why I'm asking about the controller. If there's one thing that I hate in devices and controllers, it's latency.
When playing certain games, every millisecond counts, and you need to blast your opponents before they blast you.
Whats up this year. All I been hearing about these add-on Keyboards, and Game controllers, battery/memory extenders...sure takes away from SJ's original vision. I love my touch keyboard and touch controls.
The layout is more like the PS controller, so don't see what cause Microsoft have to complain. I strongly doubt they have a trademark claim over AB and XY buttons or the "One" suffix especially since Nintendo use the same labels for buttons, and everyone and his cat has used the One suffix (HTC, Palm, Sony, Mini)