Gaming on the iPad is a big deal. There are probably more game apps than utility apps in the app store. That means that gadgets that aid in game play should be really popular too right? Well guess what? There aren’t many of them – yet. While we wait for wireless joysticks, we have to settle for stick on analog sticks like the Fling from Ten One Design.

The Fling is made of flexible engineering grade resin, with a machined aluminum joystick in the center and two small suction cups.

The picture above shows the unique design of the Fling. The joystick in the center is connected by a swirl of clear resin. It might look fragile, but it seems to be pretty robust. I haven’t broken it yet

The joystick is made of aluminum, that touches the capacitive touch screen of the iPad just like your finger would do. As long as your display and the Fling are clean, there should be no worries of scratches to your display

To use the Fling, you first need to make sure the iPad’s display and suction cups are clean. If they have any grease on them, the Fling will tend to slide around on the display while you’re using it to play your games.

This joystick will only work with games that feature a virtual onscreen controller. Games like I tested the Fling with Edge from Mobigame and Ms. Pac-man from Namco. You can see a list of several compatible games on the FAQ page of Ten One Design’s site. It would be great if there were a way to get a larger list of compatible games.

As you move the joystick in the center of the Fling, it actually touches the virtual onscreen controller below it, to move your character. The picture above shows my index finger moving the joystick, but you really use your thumb during game play. The plastic swirl attached to the joystick wants to always return to the center. It gives just the right amount of resistance to aid game play.

Right now, the Fling’s only competitor is the JOYSTICK-IT from ThinkGeek. I have to say that after comparing both of them, the Fling feels more natural to me. It definitely makes some games more fun and easier to play. Until we have Bluetooth or other ‘real’ gaming controllers, the Fling is my fave analog solution for iPad gaming.

Filed in categories: Gaming Gear, iPhone, iPad, iPod related, Reviews

Tagged: iPad, Joystick

Ten One Design Fling iPad Gaming Controller Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 12, 2011 at 2:33 pm.

Got an iPad? Like games and wish you could use a real joystick to play games instead of a virtual touch screen controller? I have a potential solution for you. It’s the JOYSTICK-IT from ThinkGeek. It’s a small stick on joystick that has been designed to work with any device that features a capacitive touchscreen. Let’s take a closer look.

Note: Most of the images in this review can be clicked to see a larger picture.

The JOYSTICK-IT is made of solid milled-aluminum with a laser etched crosshair design on top. It is a little less than 2 inches tall, with a 1.25 inch diameter base.

Attached to the base is a spongy pad with a small suction cup in the center. The pad is made of conductive material so that when it makes contact with the capacitive display, the iPad will think you’ve touched it with your finger. In a way, the JOYSTICK-IT is like a large capacitive stylus.

The JOYSTICK-IT is designed to work with games that feature a virtual on-screen control pad of some kind. If the game uses swiping or multi-touch gestures, the JOYSTICK-IT will not be able to control it.

To use the JOYSTICK-IT, you just stick it directly over the on-screen controller and press down to activate the suction cup. At that point, you can play the name as you normally would, only now with a real joystick.

I tested the JOYSTICK-IT with a handful of arcade style games like Edge from Mobigame, Ms. Pac-man from Namco. At first the controller worked great and then I noticed that it would start failing to register my moves. Upon closer inspection, I found that the joystick would ‘drift’ on the screen. It would start sliding to the right so that it would no longer line up correctly with the on-screen controller. I thought it might be due to fingerprints and oils on the screen, so I cleaned the display and the JOYSTICK-IT’s suction cup with a little bit of Windex. Bingo! Cleaning the screen and keeping the suction cup on the bottom of the JOYSTICK-IT clean is a must. The only other thing to keep in mind is that if you’re an over enthusiastic player, you might accidentally pop the controller off the screen by breaking the seal of the suction cup. Every so often, I press it down to make sure it’s still attached as tightly as possible.

One thing I did not test is how well the JOYSTICK-IT works with a screen protector. Since most of the on-screen controllers are located in the corner of the display, there may be a potential for the JOYSTICK-IT to accidentally lift the protector after constant sticking and unsticking of the suction cup. Just something to keep in mind.

Playing games with the JOYSTICK-IT is very enjoyable and takes me back in time to my days with the Atari 2600 and Commodore 64. Fun times back then, and fun times now. Thanks ThinkGeek!

Filed in categories: Gaming Gear, iPhone, iPad, iPod related, Reviews

Tagged: iPad, Joystick

ThinkGeek JOYSTICK-IT iPad Arcade Stick Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 20, 2011 at 3:30 pm.

Hot on the heels of Janet’s news about the Fling controller, comes a similar add-on for iPad and Android tablet devices. It’s the JOYSTICK-IT from ThinkGeek. This is a lightweight solid milled-aluminum joystick that is compatible with 1000′s of games that feature a virtual on-screen control pad.  It’s not clear if it uses some sort of suction cup to stay affixed to the screen, or if it uses an adhesive. Either way, it will not harm the screen and can be removed and repositioned multiple times. Another bonus is that it does not require batteries. I need one of these for that Edge iPad game that I reviewed but am still stuck on! The JOYSTICK-IT will be available later this month at $24.99.

Filed in categories: Android related, iPhone, iPad, iPod related, News

Tagged: Android, iPad, Joystick, Spotlight Gadgets

JOYSTICK-IT adds a real controller to your iPad and Android tablets originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 5, 2011 at 4:36 pm.

Just looking at this joystick brings back memories of playing Pacman, Donkeykong and Pitfall Harry. The Clear Classic USB Joystick from Retro Thing is modeled after the iconic joystick that us 40 somethings remember from the 70′s and 80′s. It plugs into a USB port to play retro games on a modern PC or Mac. The stick is transparent plastic with a blue circuit board and a blue LED that illuminates the stick from within. The stick is a limited edition item and sells for $29.95, which includes the stick, numbered certificate of authenticity, USB cable and CD game collection including the Stella emulator and over 80 games.

Filed in categories: Gaming Gear, News

Tagged: Gaming, Joystick, Spotlight Gadgets, USB

Nostalgic joystick brings back gaming memories of your youth originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 29, 2010 at 7:41 am.

Have you ever seen a keyboard / gaming controller like this one? Pretty crazy huh? The AlphaGrip iGrip is made to hold in both hands so that you can control it by all 10 of your fingers. It has a bazillion buttons and a trackball. Too bad it isn’t wireless as well. Cross your fingers that I can get one for David Flowers, our new gaming gadget editor.

Filed in categories: Uncategorized

Tagged: Gaming, Joystick, Spotlight Gadgets

AlphaGrip iGrip Ergonomic Keyboard & Trackball originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 3, 2009 at 2:48 pm.