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Insert Coin: GameDock lets your iPhone interface with a TV and controllers, game it old school
In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line. With its GameDock, Cascadia Games has a new twist on iOS arcade play -- it lets you use your TV and two classic controllers. While retro games are popular on iPhones right now, an intense session can go haywire if your digits start slippping around on the screen, and head-to-head play is literally that if you're sharing a small device with a foe. That aforementioned situation inspired the GameDock, which turns into a full-blown console when you plug in and pair your iPhone, iPad or iPod using Bluetooth, then connect your TV, along with a couple of USB game controllers. Just like that, you and a buddy are playing big-screen Asteroids, Centipede and 100 or so other iOS games that work with iCade. With 43 days remaining, just shy of 10 grand has been offered toward the $50K goal, so check the source if you want to revel in the gaming days of yore -- eye or thumb strain-free.
iPad occupies new quarters in iCade arcade cabinet
Know what your desk, coffee table or car dashboard needs? The iCade. That is if you have an iPad and want a (very) small arcade cabinet to stick it in. Built by ION for internet nerd wares vendor ThinkGeek, the iCade features a special iPad cradle designed to not scuff your precious tablet, along with a ball-top joystick and eight concave buttons. If you have the money, space and understanding loved ones to spare, you can pre-order the iCade for $99 from ThinkGeek. Shipments begin this spring and include the iCade app, a front-end for (initially) a handful of Atari classics, such as Asteroids, with the promise of more to come. The iCade API is also being provided to iOS devs free of charge, so here's hoping the likes of Cave release updates to make their games compatible with this inspired add-on.
Freekade, the iPad arcade cabinet, goes up for auction (video)
What's the date today, middle of August? Great, so we can now say with scientific certainty that it takes four and a half months to bring an excellent April Fools' idea to market. That's the total gap in time between the unveiling of the jokey iCade by the writers at ThinkGeek and the "for auction" sign going up on the Freekade arcade cabinet. This nostalgia-infused iPad accessory has now added a veneer of style to its retro control scheme, with "walnut effect" sides and a matte black finish. It interfaces with your slate via Bluetooth and (provided you've danced the jailbreaking jig) will play along with NES, SNES and PSX emulators obtainable from the Cydia store. You'll find its latest demo video after the break and can track the auction's progress at the source link below.
iPad arcade cabinet brings April Fools' joke to life (video)
Nope, this isn't the first iPad mod you'll have seen, but it's likely to be the biggest crowd pleaser yet. Inspired by the iCade cabinet -- an April Fools' joke that had most of us asking where we could buy one -- this really real arcade cabinet integrates Apple's slate, hooks it up to a set of old school controls, and lets users go to town with such old timer classics as Mr. Do! It's still in prototype form, hence the boxy exterior, but the action on screen is looking as good as you'd expect. See it on video after the break.
