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Scratch two massive firsts off the list; we just played a game on an iPhone using physical controls, and saw an iPhone charging with microUSB.
Logitech's PowerShell Controller + Battery brings a traditional D-pad and button mashing control scheme to Apple's ubiquitous smartphone, and it'll charge your iPhone.
It'll be on shelves in early December, just in time for Christmas. At $99, it's a pricey stocking stuffer, but its ability to act as a mobile charger adds a big incentive to toss one under the tree and into your bag.
Docking your iPhone with the PowerShell Controller is simple. Just slide it into the plastic frame, a built in lighting connecter does all the work. No app to download, nothing to sync, it's the definition of plug and play.
The PowerShell Controller works on the iPhone 5S and 5, plus the most recent 5th generation iPod touch – there's a rubber slip to put behind your iPod to compensate to make its thinner profile fit snugly.
The iPhone 5C, Apple's more colorful, less expensive option, is out in the cold on this one. The PowerShell can't accommodate its larger frame. That's a shame, but really the only flaw we could find with PowerShell's build during our hands on time.
With its black rubber on plastic aesthetic, it's definitely more like a Logitech product than one that would come out of Cupertino. No matter though, it meshed nicely with the black iPhone 5 we had on had for our demo. The build smacked of quality, with a responsive eight-way D-pad and four primary buttons plus shoulder switches and a pause button, all with enough throw and spring back to get mashed on without ending up smashed.
While the PowerShell is officially sanctioned by Apple, thanks to third-party controller support introduced in iOS 7, it is the sort of thing developers will have to provide support for, app by app. Logitech is claiming a list of three hundred games. Some of our favorites include Bastion and MetalStorm Aces.
During our time with the controller we messed up some blocky Orcs in Lego Lord of the Rings, chased down bogeys in Galaxy on Fire 2 and rolled over a few Panzers in Pocket Tanks. The PowerShell performed admirably all the way through.
We didn't just love the classic controller feel of the PowerShell, we really appreciated how we could get our thumbs out of the way the display. The iPhone's screen real estate is limited, compared to something like the Galaxy S4 or even the Moto X. This helps you take full advantage of it, and the on screen controls in Galaxy on Fire 2 even disappeared. Hopefully all developers will follow suit when adding controller support for controllers.
Right now, Logitech's only competition seems to be the Moga Ace Power gamepad, also priced at $99. Both devices are well above impulse buy territory, and while we appreciate the battery charging feature, we have to wonder if Logitech or anyone else plans to build a Controller minus Battery. Such a device would be a serious charge suck, but could be priced to move.
Don't take that as a reason to wait though, the PowerShell seems like the complete package. It has a built in 1500 mAh battery that charges with an included microUSB cable. Plug in the controller with your iPhone docked and it'll top of the phone first, then charge the controller.
That microUSB support is great, since it'll make it easier to charge when you're in an Android household. The built in battery can also charge your phone with the flip of the switch. This feature doesn't actually have to be engaged to control a game.
The PowerShell also comes with headphone jack extension that allows you to plug your earbuds into the controller. You have to remember to unplug it before removing your iPhone, or you risk breaking it off in the port. That seemed like a bit of a liability to us.
In our brief hands on session, the D-pad and buttons on the PowerShell Controller seemed reliable enough. We'll need more time to make sure that the controls are free from game killing lag though.
We also want to see how many charges you can get out of the PowerShell's battery. If it's competitive with similiarly priced chargers, it'd be silly not pick one up if you're in the market. Why not get the more functional device? We'll have the long and short of it in our full review.
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