Marware's Game Grip for the iPhone complicates what should be simple

We've seen a few accessories for augmenting the gaming experience on the iPhone which would give the device awesome functions similar to a game controller, such as the elusive and yet-to-materialize iControlPad and the totally fake JoyPod. Well, Marware's Game Grip is sort of like that -- silicone sleeves that your phone fits into -- except that it doesn't actually do anything beyond providing 'handles' for your phone while you game. Oh, and it exists. So let's refer to it as the 'enjoyment enabler' of your iPhone 3G or iPod touch 2G which can be used with headphones (just like normal), can be charged while gaming (just like normal), and has a 'cord management system' (kind of not normal). If that's not enough to convince you to reach for your wallet, the "lifetime guarantee" and ludicrously zany look of the thing will probably get you to bite... it's $49.99 and available for pre-order right now.

[Allan @ Nov 1st 2008 1:20AM]

Wow, excessive much?

[Mr. S. @ Nov 1st 2008 4:24AM]

Would fail on Dragon's Den

[Ethan @ Nov 1st 2008 1:22AM]

I can only think the creator really wanted to point out the flaws of the device.

[Shunnabunich @ Nov 1st 2008 3:43AM]

One might venture so far as to say they aimed to mar your gaming experience.



...OK, please don't hit me.

[Ethan @ Nov 1st 2008 7:10AM]

I'm just saying, people who buy iPhones don't correlate much with people who buy giant plastic attachments. While I'm sure they wouldn't make a product based on this, the only thing it does is make the iPhone look like crap for gaming. It's fine, I've got GTSWR on mine and it is marginally unwieldy but also completely awesome.

[Dave Chappelle @ Nov 1st 2008 7:21AM]

ye the thing about Apple's success in the entire mp3/portable audio and now phone department is in my opinion because there products are always so damn thin.

this thing is not. better luck next time i might get it if the iphone gets MGS portable ops. but for now, it has shit gaming capabilities.

[waiownsyou @ Nov 1st 2008 1:23AM]

I have X-Plane 9 for iPhone and I can tell you the graphics aren't that freakin' awesome.

[phanbouy @ Nov 1st 2008 2:26PM]

you can haz irrelevant?

[wootman @ Nov 1st 2008 5:19PM]

facepalm.jpeg @ phanboy.

[phanbouy @ Nov 1st 2008 6:52PM]

just sayin'. no one gives a shit about the graphics on your stupid game, waiownself

[phanbouy @ Nov 1st 2008 7:12PM]

and speaking of irrelevant, why do you feel the need to troll all the weblogs inc blogs with your sniveling whining 24/7 whinyownsself? go have your grandma bring some more cookies to the basement

[Atropos @ Nov 1st 2008 7:37PM]

Christ, Phanbouy. Somebody needs to give you a bottle and tuck you in.

[phanbouy @ Nov 1st 2008 8:55PM]

haha... here's atroshit to whine bitch and complain about people who play Guitar Hero again. man, that was a blood bath the other day -- you made a bigger ass out of yourself than Flashpoint

whiny bitches don't like when i make fun of their unabashed right to throw their shit at anyone who likes things different from them

[Atropos @ Nov 2nd 2008 12:00AM]

Bedtime, Phanbouy. Don't forget to change your dipey first.

[collegekid13 @ Nov 1st 2008 1:26AM]

over compensate much

[Boards of Canada @ Nov 1st 2008 1:29AM]

ridiculous

[Wiizer @ Nov 1st 2008 1:32AM]

Marware... What an appropriate name.

[Bones3D @ Nov 1st 2008 9:47AM]

It actually works on more than one level. "Marware" could actually be "Malware", in engrish.

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engrish

[ug @ Nov 1st 2008 1:33AM]

The reason it doesn't do anything is that Steve Jobs won't let apps connect to anything through the docking port or use the bluetooth for controllers. So games are stuck with touchscreen or accelerometer input. STUPID.

[Greg @ Nov 1st 2008 7:36PM]

Good point though I love it how posters seem to think Steve Jobs actually comes up with all these ideas and restrictions etc - Apple has a team of people who make decisions on how its products will work, Jobs is the CEO not head of the engineering team. Why not say "Apple won't let apps connect to anything" not Steve Jobs.

[p.flynn2 @ Nov 1st 2008 1:39AM]

bash people much? its interesting to see what gets written about on these AOL sites and what gets bashed. did these developers not send you a test unit engadget? is that why you are so sore about it? this post is so full of hate its shocking. making a quick buck off of someone else (apple's) work is the american way.

[Space Ninja @ Nov 1st 2008 3:12AM]

Just because it's the "American Way" doesn't mean it's a good product :P

[Chuckles McGee @ Nov 1st 2008 7:20PM]

$50. For handles. NO!

[Mark @ Nov 1st 2008 1:44AM]

$50...???

WTF??!!

[Kspraydad @ Nov 1st 2008 2:41AM]

For that price it should have an Apple logo...

[lowdef @ Nov 1st 2008 3:27AM]

and the black version should cost more

[atomicthumbs @ Nov 1st 2008 2:18AM]

The iControlPad is "elusive and yet-to-materialize" because the developers are busy making the Pandora. :P

[Frogboy @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:26AM]

And God bless 'em for that!

[GON @ Nov 1st 2008 2:22AM]

This is why it's a bad idea not to give the device any additional buttons. When the only means you have of controlling your game is via the touchscreen or tilt, it's gonna get pretty old real fast.

[lens42 @ Nov 1st 2008 2:27AM]

How do the words "it exists" and "available for pre-order" find their way into the same post?

[Kspraydad @ Nov 1st 2008 2:40AM]

If it doesn't break apart it isn't next gen enough.

[Bob @ Nov 1st 2008 2:53AM]

ZOMG the iPhone sux ZOMG!!!!. Why is Engadget posting about the iPhone again!!????

[Kspraydad @ Nov 1st 2008 2:58AM]

All mentions of iPhone get reset at the start of each month...we need to hit the November quota...STAT!

[tekdroid @ Nov 1st 2008 7:09AM]

At last!
The craptastic touch controls that I desire along with GRIPS for only 50 USD extra! Tactile feedback is so 90s!

[strider_mt2k @ Nov 1st 2008 7:51AM]

I guess they figured you're already comfortable with overpaying for stuff...

[htd @ Nov 1st 2008 9:09AM]

that real gamepad is still not out yet? I would like dual stick, they can port that ppc ps emulator to iphone...

[BigD145 @ Nov 1st 2008 2:29PM]

Buttons? Buttons? Anyone got any buttons?

[UnixSystemsEngineer @ Nov 1st 2008 4:33PM]

What makes this merely "dumb" instead of "huge fail" is the fact that at least the original features still work (headphones, dock, etc). It means they at least put thought into creating a stupid accessory that nobody wants.

[Otoris @ Nov 2nd 2008 12:15AM]

No way I would pay 50 bucks for a piece of plastic... By the way, what game is that? That isn't X-Plane 9. X-Plane 9 doesn't have a location like that, and the HUD is different.

[JJ @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:25AM]

I thought the same thing...I own X-Plane...and that certainly is not it.

Whatever it is does look pretty friggin money though.

[brian @ Nov 3rd 2008 11:18AM]

Screw the handles! Any idea what game that is on the screen? Or something just made up? I have X-Plane, but that's definitely not it.