Apple could make a game controller that magnetically attaches to the iPhone | AppleInsider

In the future, Apple Arcade games could be played using console-like game controllers that magnetically attach to the sides of an iPhone or iPad.

Many Apple Arcade games are designed to be played with a game controller, or simply work better with a game controller. Currently, the best option is to buy a separate controller, although there are products such as the Backbone One.

This $99 device takes the left and right sides of the familiar gamepad and separates them with a wide, flat section of plastic. It’s just the right size to fit an iPhone in, and the result is a regular iPhone with full-sized gamepad paddles and buttons.

Now, a newly granted patent shows that Apple has long had bigger ideas of its own to help gamers on the iPhone. The end result would look similar, but instead of sliding into the iPhone, you’d magnetically snap the controls onto the side of the device.

The “magnetically attachable gaming accessory” offers a system that sounds similar to the Apple Pencil. Some models can be magnetically attached to the iPad, and instead of just attaching the stylus, the Apple Pencil can be charged.

To be clear, Apple refers to the patent as being about games, but the details in it are just as likely to cover connecting any accessory to an iPhone — or iPad.

“An accessory that can enhance a particular functionality of an electronic device, can easily connect to the electronic device, be easy to use, and can have a small and efficient form factor,” he says. “One example may provide a gaming accessory that can enhance the gaming functionality of an electronic device such as a phone, tablet or other computing device.”

“This gaming accessory can provide a physical interface to control gaming activities on the electronic device,” he continues, “so that the screen of the electronic device remains at least largely unobstructed during game play.

Apple points out that we all have our iPhones with us at all times, and that this means they are called upon for many different tasks.

“As a result of this constant companionship, it may be desirable for these electronic devices to be particularly adept at performing specific functions,” Apple says. “Accordingly, it may be desirable to provide accessories that can enhance one or more functions of the electronic device.”

However, it “can be difficult to attach an accessory” and Apple further states that any “significant effort in making such a connection can quickly reduce the suitability and usefulness of the accessory”.

So Apple claims that accessories must be simple and convenient.

“Therefore, we need an accessory that can enhance the specific functionality of an electronic device,” the patent application continues, “can be easily attached to the electronic device, can be easy to use, and can have a small and efficient form factor.”

As a result, Apple suggests, as one example, a game controller that includes a “connectivity feature that can connect a game accessory to the surface of an electronic device.”

It’s not enough to just clip the accessory on your hip. While Apple focuses primarily on this connection in this patent application, it emphasizes that the accessory must be able to transmit information directly to the iPhone or iPad.

“For example, data can be transferred between gaming accessories and electronic equipment using near-field communication circuits,” he says. “(Or data) can be transferred between the gaming accessory and the electronic device using charging circuits… Bluetooth or another wireless protocol… (or) electrical contacts.”

But Apple really pays attention to details. After arguing for the use of magnetically attachable accessories, he also examines the risks they could pose to data on or near the iPhone.

“It may be desirable to limit the strength of the magnetic field generated by the fixed magnetic field on the contact surface of the game accessory,” Apple says, “to protect information that may be magnetically stored, such as on credit cards, transit passes, or elsewhere.”

So the proposal does not only apply to accessories that connect magnetically, but also to accessories that recognize when they are connected, disconnected or stored. It changes its magnetic strength according to the current use.

This patent application is credited to six inventors. They include Julian K. Missig, whose previous work for Apple includes a patent related to Sidecar, for sharing data across multiple displays.