Gamevice Reveals New and Improved Gaming Controllers for iPhone 7, iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad mini

Tuesday January 24, 2017 8:37 AM PST by Mitchel Broussard
Accessory maker Gamevice today debuted a collection of new mobile gaming controllers for the iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPad Pro 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch, iPad Air, and iPad mini, which all come with updated thumbsticks, improved buttons, a lighter build, and a Lightning connector for simple connection to each iOS device. The original version of the controller launched for the iPhone 6s in 2015.

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The iPhone 7 Plus Gamevice controller

Gamevice's controllers work by placing an iPhone or iPad into the space between each side of the controller, and connecting the smartphone or tablet to the accessory with the iPhone's Lightning port. The controller itself also has a Lightning port on the outside, so users can keep their iOS device charged while playing. When not connected to power, the controller is powered directly from the battery of the iPhone or iPad.

Like traditional gaming controllers, Gamevice includes two thumbsticks, a directional pad, shoulder buttons, four ABYX face buttons, and a menu button. The thumbsticks on Gamevice's controllers are horizontally aligned, similar to those on the PlayStation DualShock controllers. In addition to these features, the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus versions of the controller have a headphone jack.

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The iPad Pro 12.9-inch Gamevice controller

The full list of updates includes:
  • It’s lighter. The iPhone now powers Gamevice, meaning that it doesn’t need its own battery. What’s more, it draws no more power than headphones do.
  • It’s got Lightning. Out goes USB port, in comes a Lightning port - meaning that you can charge your iPhone and your Gamevice at the same time.
  • It’s ‘thumbier’. The thumb sticks have been upgraded to be more ergonomic and comfortable, giving improved control.
  • Full support for iPhone 7. Gamevice for iPhone now supports every iPhone since iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. Its patented design turns your iPhone into a mobile video game console.
Within its own app on the iOS App Store, called Gamevice Live [Direct Link], the company has curated a collection of apps that support its controllers, now reaching over 900 games. Titles include Minecraft: Pocket Edition, Assassin's Creed: Identity, The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, Bully: Anniversary Edition, and more.

The iPad Pro and iPad Air Gamevice controllers are available today on Apple.com, and the iPhone 7 and iPad mini versions will launch on January 31. All models cost $99.95.

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The iPad mini Gamevice controller

Some users have noted on Twitter that the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus Gamevice controllers have already begun appearing in some Apple retail stores ahead of their January 31 launch date.

Related Roundups: iPad Pro, iPad mini, iPhone 7
Tag: Gamevice
Buyer's Guide: 11" iPad Pro (Buy Now), iPad Mini (Don't Buy), 12.9" iPad Pro (Buy Now)
14 comments


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Twimfy
25 months ago
This would be an instant buy if it could somehow use the phone to pass through the connection to ATV4. I'm eager to get a controller for the ATV but can't bring myself to spend the money on a dedicated controller. A snap on iPhone controller which also worked on ATV4 would be a great buy.
Rating: 2 Votes
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Mac 128
25 months ago
That's actually very encouraging. Not only is Apple licensing female Lightning ports, but it's inexpensive enough that a manufacturer like this is willing to buy two Lightning ports, where USB would have worked just fine (considering their power draw claims). Looks like it has a 3.5mm headphone jack as well, so an adapter is not needed to use wired headphones with it, and charge at the same time. Of course another explanation is that they added the Lightning port for Lightning headphones, which would be very telling about the number of their customers and people in general who use Lightning headphones that come with the iPhone 7.
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This would be an instant buy if it could somehow use the phone to pass through the connection to ATV4. I'm eager to get a controller for the ATV but can't bring myself to spend the money on a dedicated controller. A snap on iPhone controller which also worked on ATV4 would be a great buy.


Do you know it doesn't connect to the ATV4 via AirPlay or BT?
Rating: 2 Votes
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ValO
25 months ago
They should have made some kind of adapter, so you can use the same device with the iphone 7 and the ipad.
Rating: 2 Votes
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ArtOfWarfare
25 months ago
I feel like the real way to take off with mobile gaming is to make a great game and a great controller, and sell them together. Offer a steady stream of great games that use your great controller.

Until then, you'll never get serious games on mobile.
Rating: 1 Votes
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2457282
25 months ago
Any serious game is probably going to be GPU/CPU intensive, AKA a battery killer. Then since the controller is powered by the phone, the battery drain would potentially be like a rock in water (sink really fast). Solution? Add a lightning port to charge while playing. Somehow being tethered to an outlet while playing seems... um... not optimal.
Rating: 1 Votes
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turbineseaplane
25 months ago

Who even uses these?


I tried one and used it jailbroken with emulators...works well..

That said I wish Apple would give an F about this and be serious about truly endorsing the concept (to the point of 1st party controllers) in an effort to get real & known game development companies behind it more seriously.
Rating: 1 Votes
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vertical smile
25 months ago
This kind of reminds me of the new Nintendo switch, or the Wii U controller.



Rating: 1 Votes
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