Most probably no. Because:
1) Lack of space for any significant new firmware additions
2) Potential for lawsuit
iControlPad2 might, though, Because:
1) More space
2) Open-sauce, so you can do what you like and it's not iControlPad's fault
Gameloft Reveals $80 Bluetooth Controller
- Thread starter vcoleiro1
- Start date
Most probably no. Because:
1) Lack of space for any significant new firmware additions
2) Potential for lawsuit
iControlPad2 might, though, Because:
1) More space
2) Open-sauce, so you can do what you like and it's not iControlPad's fault
well... the iCP already has an iCade mode, so much for your "lawysuit" theorie.
I hope that the guys don't drop the iCP like a hot potatoe just because of the iCP2.
i will eventually get the 2nd version, but I refuse to do that soley out of that reason...
craig, any remarks ?
I hope that the guys don't drop the iCP like a hot potatoe just because of the iCP2.
i will eventually get the 2nd version, but I refuse to do that soley out of that reason...
craig, any remarks ?
The iControlPad doesn't have much headroom for yet another emulation mode.
Whilst there is an iCade mode, it's probably not wise to further test the waters. The iCade "Protocol" also has no patents that I'm aware of, it's simply a bastardisation of a regular HID keyboard and doesn't really offer iCade any market competitive advantage.
The Gameloft controller has a touted advantage over the iCade and other competition, it seems unlikely that they'd sit on their laurels whilst a cheaper competitor implements this and gains support for their popular games. Unfortunately, when it comes to something like easily-shared open-source firmware, they've not got much recourse and certainly can't target iControlPad Ltd. for something that their customers are free to do.
Whilst there is an iCade mode, it's probably not wise to further test the waters. The iCade "Protocol" also has no patents that I'm aware of, it's simply a bastardisation of a regular HID keyboard and doesn't really offer iCade any market competitive advantage.
The Gameloft controller has a touted advantage over the iCade and other competition, it seems unlikely that they'd sit on their laurels whilst a cheaper competitor implements this and gains support for their popular games. Unfortunately, when it comes to something like easily-shared open-source firmware, they've not got much recourse and certainly can't target iControlPad Ltd. for something that their customers are free to do.
Exophase
Nothing good will ever come of Exophase.
I don't think reverse engineering and implementing a protocol is illegal if you follow the right procedures (depending on jurisdiction). Although things could have changed, what people got away with in the 80s might not be legitimate anymore thanks to the DMCA..
I don't really know what Gameloft is thinking with this controller's outrageous pricing. Surely this isn't anywhere close to the optimal price/volume/profit point for what they'd expect to sell. Considering that a sold controller will often result in more of the games being sold as well they MIGHT not be that unhappy with others ripping off their support. If they weren't selling enough in the first place to even make it worth the legal fees it might just encourage them to price it below iCP2, which is by all means what it should be priced at (definitely should not cost more than $50, probably not more than $40)
Now, I wonder what'll be involved in the RE process. We can assume it isn't using some kind of special low level BT protocol since Apple would have to add it to their BT stack or let them develop a driver somehow and I'm skeptical that they'd let them do this. So if it's over some standard profile like SPP it'll be easy to reverse if they don't encrypt it. Sadly I can't think of any massive technical problem with encrypting it so there could be a problem, you may have to start inspecting game code as well..
I don't really know what Gameloft is thinking with this controller's outrageous pricing. Surely this isn't anywhere close to the optimal price/volume/profit point for what they'd expect to sell. Considering that a sold controller will often result in more of the games being sold as well they MIGHT not be that unhappy with others ripping off their support. If they weren't selling enough in the first place to even make it worth the legal fees it might just encourage them to price it below iCP2, which is by all means what it should be priced at (definitely should not cost more than $50, probably not more than $40)
Now, I wonder what'll be involved in the RE process. We can assume it isn't using some kind of special low level BT protocol since Apple would have to add it to their BT stack or let them develop a driver somehow and I'm skeptical that they'd let them do this. So if it's over some standard profile like SPP it'll be easy to reverse if they don't encrypt it. Sadly I can't think of any massive technical problem with encrypting it so there could be a problem, you may have to start inspecting game code as well..
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We'll know soon enough, someone's bound to try it as some of Gameloft's titles are pretty popular requests for controller support, and their controller is sucky/expensive.
Clearly they're aware that their games are popular enough to sell a peripheral. It's not even a peculiar position to be in, given that entire games consoles are sold on the strength of the games they provide. I'm pretty sure they know what they are doing, and are poised to profit from the controller by spamvertising it in their games. Methinks they'd probably have a dim view of any other compatible device with a strategy like that. But I am just hypothesizing.
Let's hope it can be reverse engineered, though. Even better if we can somehow figure out how they do it in software and copy it. Reliable, non-hacky dual analogue support would be a killer feature for the iControlPad2, and would be much easier to convince developers ( for games or engines ) to implement if it doesn't involve a messy hack of the keyboard.
They could well have struck a deal with Apple to obtain a competitive advantage and method of getting this stuff to work in a sane way. Gameloft are a pretty big player, right?
Clearly they're aware that their games are popular enough to sell a peripheral. It's not even a peculiar position to be in, given that entire games consoles are sold on the strength of the games they provide. I'm pretty sure they know what they are doing, and are poised to profit from the controller by spamvertising it in their games. Methinks they'd probably have a dim view of any other compatible device with a strategy like that. But I am just hypothesizing.
Let's hope it can be reverse engineered, though. Even better if we can somehow figure out how they do it in software and copy it. Reliable, non-hacky dual analogue support would be a killer feature for the iControlPad2, and would be much easier to convince developers ( for games or engines ) to implement if it doesn't involve a messy hack of the keyboard.
They could well have struck a deal with Apple to obtain a competitive advantage and method of getting this stuff to work in a sane way. Gameloft are a pretty big player, right?
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It's likely using the "Made for iPhone" bluetooth frameworks, which is the apple dock connector protocol (happens to be encrypted) over SPP afaik.
Sugar_Kane
Could crush a grape
Yowza, that thing looks like it came out of a 1980s Kinder egg, I do like the idea of full nubs though, I wish the ICP2 had proper mushrooms as I find the flat nubs a bit difficult to get used to
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