Games

Logitech gets into the game with PowerShell Controller + Battery

Logitech gets into the game with PowerShell Controller + Battery
Logitech's PowerShell Controller + Battery brings conventional games controls and extended battery life to iPhone and iPod touch
Logitech's PowerShell Controller + Battery brings conventional games controls and extended battery life to iPhone and iPod touch
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Logitech's PowerShell Controller + Battery brings conventional games controls and extended battery life to iPhone and iPod touch
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Logitech's PowerShell Controller + Battery brings conventional games controls and extended battery life to iPhone and iPod touch
The PowerShell avoids gamers losing sight of the action on the touchscreen
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The PowerShell avoids gamers losing sight of the action on the touchscreen
The PowerShell leaves the iOS device's buttons accessible
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The PowerShell leaves the iOS device's buttons accessible
The PowerShell connects to an iPhone 5, 5s or 5th-gen iPod touch via the Lightning connector
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The PowerShell connects to an iPhone 5, 5s or 5th-gen iPod touch via the Lightning connector
The PowerShell is 21 mm (0.8 in) thick
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The PowerShell is 21 mm (0.8 in) thick
The PowerShell packs in integrated 1,500 mAh battery
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The PowerShell packs in integrated 1,500 mAh battery
The PowerShell is compatible with the iOS7 game controller framework
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The PowerShell is compatible with the iOS7 game controller framework
Rear of the PowerShell Controller + Battery
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Rear of the PowerShell Controller + Battery
View gallery - 8 images

In just five years, Apple has established iOS as a major gaming platform. Games is the most popular category on the App Store, with over 175,000 of the 975,000+ apps currently available falling within it. Although many games are designed specifically for touchscreen input, there are still plenty that are better suited to a conventional controller. That's where devices such as the new PowerShell Controller from Logitech come in.

Logitech's PowerShell Controller is far from the first add-on to bring a conventional controller to iOS games. Such devices generally either take the form of a standalone controller, like the GameBone Pro, or a case or dock that holds the iOS device, like the iControlPad. The PowerShell falls into the latter camp, taking the form of an elongated iPhone or iPod touch case that connects via the Lightning connector, thus avoiding the power drain seen with controllers that connect wirelessly.

The PowerShell connects to an iPhone 5, 5s or 5th-gen iPod touch via the Lightning connector
The PowerShell connects to an iPhone 5, 5s or 5th-gen iPod touch via the Lightning connector

Logitech's device features a soft rubber surface for comfortable grip and adds an analog D-pad, shoulder triggers and a four face button cluster to an iPhone 5, 5s or, with the use of the included adapter, a 5th-gen iPod touch running iOS7. It also packs an integrated 1,500 mAh battery to extend gaming sessions, with both the iDevice's and PowerShell's batteries able to be charged without removing the phone from the controller. The case doesn't obscure any of the iPhone's buttons or camera and also includes a 3.5 mm headphone adapter.

The controller measures 200 x 63 x 21 mm (7.9 x 2.5 x 0.8 in), weighs 120 g (4.2 oz) and is compatible with the iOS7 game controller compatible framework that is already supported by titles including Bastion, Galaxy On Fire 2 and Limbo.

The Logitech PowerShell Controller + Battery is currently available for pre-order and will be released globally from mid-December for US$99.99.

A brief promo video for the device can be viewed below.

Source: Logitech

Logitech PowerShell™ Controller + Battery

View gallery - 8 images
2 comments
2 comments
damon
Great for video games, perhaps even better for quadcopters! Wake up, Parrot!
TriggerMaster
With twice the function at the same price give me the Moga. Single bumper, joystick? At least they spelled x,y,a & b correctly. It looks like they took discontinued controller and gave us all the functions from an $8.00 device. If they could only have provided the same features of the $15.00 game pad we would not be having this discussion. As for quadcopters, it might work to fly but sensor controls are the driving force with aerial platforms and this one does not hit the criteria we use for even testing the device. Sorry, I would expect more from Logitech :(