CES 2012: Ion Audio Announces iCade Core, iCade Mobile, and iCade Jr.

[Akshay Masand]

Ion Audio’s iPad iCade originally started as a ThinkGreek April Fool’s joke but has ended up becoming one of the most well support iOS game controller accessories since then. If you aren’t familiar with it already, it’s a small arcade cabinet stand that allowed a user to prop their iPad up and play games using a real joystick and buttons. The company behind the iPad gaming accessory has now unveiled an expanded lineup with three new models to service a broader range of iOS devices. The three new models consist of the following: iCade Core, iCade Mobile, and iCade Jr.

iCade Core

The iCade Core offers a stripped down version of the original iCade cabinet and supports the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch. Similar to the original iCade, the iCade Core lets users play their iOS games with a real joystick and buttons. It communicates via Bluetooth, but a 30-pin connector is included allowing users to charge their iDevice while playing. Pricing has not yet been revealed for this new slimmed down version.

iCade Mobile

The iCade Mobile is a device that wraps around a user’s iPhone or iPod Touch giving them a better mobile handheld gaming experience. Much like the company’s other devices, the iCade mobile utilizes Bluetooth for communication. It offers a swiveling landscape or portrait orientation giving users the option to choose whichever preference they would like. This model is going to set you back $79.99 when it becomes available this upcoming Spring.

iCade Jr.

The iCade Jr. as the name suggests is a smaller sized version of the original iCade. This version is specifically made for the iPhone or iPod Touch, giving users the option to prop up their iDevice in this miniaturized arcade cabinet. Much like the original version, it contains an arcade joystick with 4 front facing buttons and 4 rear facing buttons. Similar to the iCade Core, it also offers a dock connector for charging capabilities. This model is set to cost $49 and is to be released this upcoming Spring as well.

While many other similar mobile gaming accessories for iOS devices are available, the iCade seems to be the one that has garnered the most support amongst iOS game developers. What makes this even better is that the new devices will likely be directly compatible with the existing list of iCade compatible games.

Will any of you be picking up any of the new iCade models? Share any thoughts and opinions below!

Source: Engadget

[chad daddy]

Dude I posted this a few days ago, I guess its kewl tho since your like a perfect writer and **** and all I did was upload a screen.

[headstrain0z]

this is illllin.

[milenion]

Would be completely worth it if more games supported it. Most of the games that do suck.