Apple Begins Selling New Accessories, Including Updated Rotor Riot Game Controller for iPhone and iPad

[MacRumors]

Apple today began selling an updated version of the Rotor Riot game controller with newly added "Home" and "Options" buttons. The controller, designed for use with the iPhone and iPad, is priced at $49.99 on Apple's online store and delivers in one to two days.

Rotor Riot is advertised as the only Lightning-connected, full-sized game controller available today. The direct Lightning connection ensures low latency and eliminates the need to wirelessly pair the controller to an iPhone or iPad, and the controller also lacks a battery since it is powered directly by the device it is connected to. The controller's built-in Lightning connector allows for pass-through charging of the iPhone or iPad during usage.

The controller continues to come with an optional "Zero Gravity device holder" in the box for use with the iPhone 6 and newer. A full list of devices compatible with the controller is available on Apple's online store.

The controller otherwise looks similar to the previous version, with analog left and right joysticks, digital A/B/X/Y buttons, digital L1 and R1 bumpers, analog L2 and R2 triggers, digital L3 and R3 clickable thumb-sticks, and a digital d-pad.

Other items added to Apple's online store this week include Mophie's portable MagSafe stand for iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 models, new AirTag key rings from OtterBox and Incase, a 128GB flash storage stick from SanDisk with both USB-C and Lightning connectors, an Incase sleeve for the MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro, and more.

Article Link: Apple Begins Selling New Accessories, Including Updated Rotor Riot Game Controller for iPhone and iPad

 

[Xenomorph]

Lightning port. Oof.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

$49.99 not a bad price.

 

[fbr$]

The direct Lightning connection ensures low latency and eliminates the need to wirelessly pair the controller to an iPhone or iPad, and the controller also lacks a battery since it is powered directly by the device it is connected to.

My DualShock 4 works via USB-C cable on both my iPad Pro and MacBook Pro. It also has an internal battery and works via Bluetooth on any device, including my iPhone.

I don't see any advantage in a controller who only works via Lightning cable.

 

[Neepman]

I really dont get the lightning port / cable hatred. Its a billion times more robust and less subject to wear than USB-c. I would rather have the cable break that the internal tongue of the USB-c port. A lot of people are going to be in for a rude awakening a few years into their USB-c power ported devices.

 

[12dylan34]

Really random that Rotor Riot is making something like this. It's a YouTube channel and online store for FPV/racing drones...And now they're making gaming controllers.

 

[barkomatic]

I would be a little concerned that Apple would go portless in a generation or two due to the new EU rules.

 

[darkslide29]

For anyone who is serious about an iPhone game controller, take a look at the Backbone One. Reviews from various tech sites are great and seems to be the one to get/beat.

 

[TinyMito]

Lightning port. Oof.

Yeah why???

Xbox has USB-C.

 

[DarthDon]

$49.99 not a bad price.

you can add the wheels of the mac pro the ist isn't cheap anymore

 

[Pro Apple Silicon]

I really dont get the lightning port / cable hated. If a billion times more robust and less subject to wear than USB-c. I would rather have the cable break that the internal tongue of the USB-c port. A lot of people are going to be in for a rude awakening a few years into their USB-c power ported devices.

Well I guess that's debatable. Which is the more fragile design? Internal tongue, or internal contacts? Either of them can fail over time for different reasons.

I think the reason why Lightning is annoying people now is because it is holding back the "all in" move to USB-C that many people want to make. It is much like Netflix not being a part of the TV App. You can't have an "all in one" solution when the biggest player is missing.

 

[Pro Apple Silicon]

I would be a little concerned that Apple would go portless in a generation or two due to the new EU rules.

No one cares what the EU has to say about anything. They have completely lost the plot.

 

[Pro Apple Silicon]

Lightning port. Oof.

You know...Phil Schiller did say that Lightning would be for the next 10 years. That was in 2012. So maybe we're indeed waiting until 2022.

 

[Bacasable]

Best pad still the backbone one

 

[Alonzo84]

Where are the sleeves/cases for the new 14” and 16” MacBook Pros?

 

[newbmacuser2021]

I see you’re leaking the Nintendo DS 3.

 

[lazyrighteye]

I get the latency thing, but all that cable? Really? Dang.

 

[Runequester]

I really like my Nimbus pad. I got a couple of the Horipads they used to sell for cheap and those are nice too but lack clickable sticks

I'll likely pick up one of these too

 

[timcorin]

It's only a matter of time before Apple do their own. Looking forward to an Apple TV with an M chip and see them slowly creep further into serious console gaming.

 

[amartinez1660]

I really dont get the lightning port / cable hatred. Its a billion times more robust and less subject to wear than USB-c. I would rather have the cable break that the internal tongue of the USB-c port. A lot of people are going to be in for a rude awakening a few years into their USB-c power ported devices.

Yes! I have said this many times, I got an iPhone 12, AirPods Pro charging case, magic keyboards (with and without keypad), old iPad Air as an extra monitor, Magic Trackpad, plus I test several work phones for builds… all of that I connect with lightning cables. When magnetic charge is available (iPhone and AirPods case) then it’s the best thing for sure.

The only other front facing device that I connect to an iMac is an iPad Pro, it has a thunderbolt port and it is the clunkiest of all the cables, it’s about 3 times longer and 3 times fatter, the cable is a lot stiffer so it moves stuff on the table when it unbends…

Yes, 99% of the time the peripherals are in wireless mode except when charging… but I can only imagine if all those things were connected with the clunkier connector, I feel like making a collage picture to simulate that.

Thunderbolt via USBC is great, it’s fast, it’s Daisy chainable, great technology… for things like connecting hubs, docks, monitors and high performance stuff BEHIND the computer that will never move… for phone, keyboards, trackpads, controllers? Let it be lightning… imagine the Apple TV remote controllers with USBCs, do we really want that? How about a poll for this too.

 

[james234298]

Thanks for your.

 

[Dino F]

For anyone who is serious about an iPhone game controller, take a look at the Backbone One. Reviews from various tech sites are great and seems to be the one to get/beat.

Whist the Backbone is an awesome controller, it has two massive flaws - its not compatible with iPhone 13 (due to its square design) and its not compatible with an iPhone in a case.

 

[Dino F]

Anyone know if this game controller will work with Xbox Game Pass...!!

 

[svish]

Seems good. I use my Xbox controller for my iPad

 

[WestonHarvey1]

Seriously people. Sony and Microsoft sell the greatest controllers ever made right now. Just buy one of those.