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SteelSeries' Nimbus MFi Controller is the First Apple TV Gamepad

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When Apple unveiled the new Apple TV and its ability to play games at its "Hey Siri" event earlier today, the company glossed over the fact that MFi gamepad controllers for iPhone and iPad would be compatible with the new device. However, after the event, SteelSeries announced the brand new Nimbus gamepad controller would be the first made specifically for the Apple TV.

nimbusgamepad.png

"SteelSeries is at the center of the biggest evolution in gaming. Nimbus represents a new standard in wireless gaming controllers and we're pleased to be bringing this controller to this incredible platform," said Ehtisham Rabanni, SteelSeries CEO. "Our global gaming pedigree, together with our unyielding pursuit of simple, modern design is on full display with Nimbus.  We're thrilled to deliver a truly premium product for the new Apple TV at a great price."
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The Xbox One-like Nimbus wireless gamepad provides 40 hours of gameplay on a single charge and can be recharged via a Lightning cable, making it the first accessory to do so. SteelSeries also says it has pressure-sensitive buttons for "precise control." Additionally, the controller has a large "Menu" button in the center of the controller, mirroring the "Menu" button on the new Apple TV remote.

The gamepad is featured prominently in the "Games and More" section of the new Apple TV's page on Apple's website, suggesting Apple and SteelSeries are positioning the controller as the flagship gamepad for the Apple TV. However, users can also play games with the new Apple TV remote, iPhones and iPod touches.

The Nimbus will be available on Apple.com and in Apple retail stores for $49.95 and will debut around the world in late October alongside the new Apple TV.

Article Link: SteelSeries' Nimbus MFi Controller is the First Apple TV Gamepad
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2015/09/09/nimbus-apple-tv-gamepad-controller/
You don't have an lighting cable already?!?! It's actually cheaper to use the lighting cable that came with your apple device! wtf?!?!
 
Lightning cables of any quality are 20$ and I have bought so many. I bloody hate them! They are all hot garbage!! I would rather be able to use the standard usb style cable I use to charge my other game controllers.

There's is zero reason for a 3rd party to involve lightning when it's not necessary. It's not like I'm going to charge this thing with my iPhone charger.

P.s. Here's hoping usb c or something similar comes to idevices.
 
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mistafro said:
Your an idiot! This is the Apple ecosystem, why introduce another cable type to charge it? To quote you "Comeon!" that would be idiotic! instead letting you charge it with your iPhone, iPad cable we are going to ask you to pull out your micro-usb cable?!?! Dude I am so glad you aren't the designer of this product! Thank you Steel for the awesome charging solution, keeping it easy and simple :)
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Wow calm down bra...
 
ErikGrim said:
Not sure why that is a burning question, because obviously, yes.
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I guess not lol. I assume it would be, but it's confusing when they say the Nimbus controller count as the "first Apple TV controller". Technically the first controller should be the first one ever released, which I think is the Logitech shelled controller.

Apple's site as well as this Mac Rumors article does not specifically mention about whether or not past controllers will work. But again, I do assume they will. I just find the wording slightly ambiguous.
 
"Pressure sensitive buttons"... meh... Sony controllers have had this feature since the PS2, yet only a small handful of games have ever bothered to us it.
 
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As someone who is in the market for a new game controller for my Mac, this is (relatively) perfect timing. Don't neglect that this controller will also work on a Mac, Macrumors!!
 
wlossw said:
Lightning cables of any quality are 20$ and I have bought so many. I bloody hate them! They are all hot garbage!! I would rather be able to use the standard usb style cable I use to charge my other game controllers.

There's is zero reason for a 3rd party to involve lightning when it's not necessary. It's not like I'm going to charge this thing with my iPhone charger.

P.s. Here's hoping usb c or something similar comes to idevices.
Click to expand...

Apple TV will come with a lightning cable. That cable will charge both the remote and that controller. Only use it for that and it won't get beat up.
 
Icaras said:
I guess not lol. I assume it would be, but it's confusing when they say the Nimbus controller count as the "first Apple TV controller". Technically the first controller should be the first one ever released, which I think is the Logitech shelled controller.

Apple's site as well as this Mac Rumors article does not specifically mention about whether or not past controllers will work. But again, I do assume they will. I just find the wording slightly ambiguous.
Click to expand...
From the OP: "the company glossed over the fact that MFi gamepad controllers for iPhone and iPad would be compatible with the new device. However, after the event, SteelSeries announced the brand new Nimbus gamepad controller would be the first made specifically for the Apple TV."
 
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ErikGrim said:
From the OP: "the company glossed over the fact that MFi gamepad controllers for iPhone and iPad would be compatible with the new device. However, after the event, SteelSeries announced the brand new Nimbus gamepad controller would be the first made specifically for the Apple TV."
Click to expand...

Thanks. Sorry so much news to absorb today been skimming over articles left and right without properly reading them. But that's great news! Glad to hear it!
 
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ravenvii said:
The Xbox controllers are Bluetooth aren't they? Would they work with the Apple TV? Would be excellent if Microsoft could make it happen.
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They aren't. The PS3's are.
The Xbox 360 and XBOX One's gamepads are a proprietary 2.4Ghz scheme for low-latency, just like peoples wireless mice and keyboards. You can plug PS3/PS4/Xbox360/XboxOne controllers into a Windows PC and the Xbox controllers will work over USB. You otherwise need a separate proprietary wireless dongle for the Xbox controllers. On the other hand the PS3/PS4 controllers as well as the Wiimote for the Wii/WiiU are Bluetooth and you can actually pair them to your Mac or PC. Plugging in the USB cable for the PS3/PS4 controllers however just charges them and the OS doesn't see them as an Xbox 360 controller without a tool for it.

Which comes back around to the obvious problem. Even though the MFi controllers, the PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Wii/WiiU gamepads all have the exact same button configurations, none of them are interoptable. Like back before USB, the PS1/PS2/SNES/NES/SMS/SG controllers all used a variation of the exact same controller bus, so third parties could just give you a different connector and the same device worked on all of them. Now the situation is a mess, and you can't use your favorite controller with your console/computer of choice.

So I don't see the Apple TV becoming a "gaming" machine short of games designed intentionally with the AppleTV in mind, or ported from older consoles like the NES/SNES/PS1/PS2 that can reasonably be played with a touch screen.
 
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mistafro said:
Your an idiot! This is the Apple ecosystem, why introduce another cable type to charge it? To quote you "Comeon!" that would be idiotic! instead letting you charge it with your iPhone, iPad cable we are going to ask you to pull out your micro-usb cable?!?! Dude I am so glad you aren't the designer of this product! Thank you Steel for the awesome charging solution, keeping it easy and simple :)
Click to expand...
So what? You may have noticed that non proprietary connectors are more widely available even on Apple kit than that stupid lightning port.
What’s annoying is when your iDevice runs low and you can’t just borrow a cable from almost anybody to charge it.
Roll on USBC. Death to Lightning.
 
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Muramasa said:
As someone who is in the market for a new game controller for my Mac, this is (relatively) perfect timing. Don't neglect that this controller will also work on a Mac, Macrumors!!
Click to expand...
I’m hoping that somebody can get this working on a Mac. Not used it at all yet of course but I’d love to give it a try.
 
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