According to a new report by PocketGamer, Apple is looking into the idea of releasing a physical controller and has been talking to developers at the Games Developer Conference over the past week. It's also being speculated that the controller will be unveiled next month at a press event.
This seems like a bold move for Apple – talking to developers about upcoming hardware is bound to result in leaks to the general public. However, Apple has apparently been going under another name to not raise suspicions.
This hardware would make iOS a more viable gaming platform – it’s already the most popular mobile gaming platform but it’s still associated with simple games like Angry Birds and Cut the Rope. A controller might make it more appealing to hardcore gamers. The devices certainly have to have the power to run a proper game; it’s just a case of convincing developers that there is a market for these things.
Physical controllers already exist for the iPhone using Bluetooth but because they aren’t standardized and haven’t sold incredibly well in the marketplace, developers are reluctant to take the time to add support for them. A unified standard/official controller would be much more appealing.
