Mobile gaming controller turns smartphones into consoles

PhoneJoy makes it easier for mobile gamers to play games with greater complexity.

More and more complex games are popping up in the mobile gaming industry and, although players are starting to feel the limitations of touchscreen controls, they may be able to overcome their struggles using the Android and iOS compatible PhoneJoy Bluetooth game controller.

The expandable gamepad can be attached directly to the smartphone or used as a separate handheld controller.

The PhoneJoy controller features a start button, two analog sticks, four action buttons, a d-pad, four shoulder buttons and back buttons. When attached to a smartphone, it looks something like the Sony Playstation Vita and other similar portable gaming consoles.

The smartphone is placed between the two controller halves and the phone is secured in place with a sprung ratchet mechanism. The phone can be held in a vertical (portrait) or horizontal (landscape) position. How the mobile device is positioned depends on the user’s preferences and on the type of game that is being played.

This mobile gaming controller does not need to be hooked up to a smartphone to work, however. It can also be used as a standalone handheld controller. Thus, it can also work with a tablet, giving mobile gamers greater flexibility and more than one control option when playing mobile games.

Currently, there are approximately 400 Android and iOS games that support the mobile gaming gadget.

The PhoneJoy gamepad uses the standard Bluetooth features that come with the average smartphone. Users can utilize the PhoneJoy app or the standard Bluetooth settings in their handset to pair the controller with the phone. The user interface and touchscreen can be used normally once paired, but once the game starts, the controller will send the appropriate inputs to any app that is well coded.

Once the PhoneJoy app is downloaded it will help users with their initial Bluetooth connection and will also give them a list of mobiles games that work with the gamepad. Furthermore, users can download the app prior to purchasing the actual device to determine if the controller would be ideal for their specific mobile gaming experience. The PhoneJoy is now available for purchase but was initially funded through Kickstarter.