Marware, Orange Gadgets Promise iPhone Gaming Add-ons

As we’ve said every time the chance presented itself, we at AE don’t believe the iPhone is all that when it comes to games, mainly because of its lack of buttons. There’s only so much you can do via the accelerometer and touch screen. Plus, don’t you think all that waving about’s a little risky? The iPhone doesn’t even have a lanyard, and it can be a slippery little bugger after a decently energetic gaming bout. How long before we see the first “Apple didn’t warn us it could slip from our grasp and have somebody’s eye out” class action lawsuit? But worry ye not, as two accessory makers are vying to offer you a solution.

We’ve had Orange Gadget’s iControlPad filed on the “we’ll believe it when we see it” pile for a while now. It promises a PSP-like snap-around case, complete with D-pad and enough buttons to make Steve Jobs cry. It’s small size means it stays pocketable, but doesn’t seem to offer a solutions to the “flying out of your hand” problem.

Which is where the Game Grip from unfortunately-named Marware — you just know these guy keep getting accidentally blacklisted — comes in. The Game Grip is a big blue silicone handle. If you love gaming more than not looking a complete twonk, you can slip in your iPhone and waggle away, safe in the knowledge that your precious device isn’t going anywhere. Nor is your love life, but that’s neither here nor there.

Both products are available for pre-order right now. The iControlPad will cost $34.99 while the Game Grip is $49.99.

By the way, that distant thumping sound emanating from Cupertino is the sound of Steve Jobs kicking himself for not having thought up a way to ban iPhone accessories.

• Marware Game Grip
• via Macsimum News
• Orange Gadgets’ iControlPad