Skip to main content

This phone case hides a removable game controller

There are some serious games to be found for smartphones these days. Sadly, most touch controls are about as precise as a drunken moose. If you’re hardcore into gaming on your phone, there are a lot of controller peripherals out there. I’m big into it and still resist the purchase because lugging an extra controller around goes against the whole spirit of convenience in mobile gaming.

Matt Seslar, creator of the GameBeat, has solved this problem by integrating a fully-functioning controller into a case. My basic, silicone case has saved me many an Asurion payment; a case is always a good idea.

Related Videos

The GameBeat case looks like a regular folding or wallet case with an external snap, which is what makes it appealing. On the inside, opposite the phone is a square controller about the size of the average phone’s screen. The pad itself looks like something Nyko would make: plain but functional. The buttons are laid out like a standard controller, with two “joysticks,” a D-pad, the letter button diamond, menu, play/pause and ok/camera buttons. The controller material is soft plastic, so it won’t scratch your phone when closed.

The controller links to your phone via Bluetooth, and charges via micro USB. The battery will survive about six hours of continuous play, which is longer than most phones. The GameBeat works with Android 4.0 and newer operating systems, including tablets. Apple compatibility is on the to-do list.

The game controller attaches to the case with suction pads, in case you decide you just want to use the case, and to make it easier to charge the controller. The adhesive phone attachment doesn’t leave reside on the phone and doesn’t lose its grip. It too has a thin friction hinge that allows the phone to rotate in the case for ease of use when you’re not gaming. When you are playing, the case hinges are also friction hinges that hold at the phone any angle (Seslar compared them those on the Lenovo’s Yoga ultrabooks).

The case comes in four colors; black, white, blue, and pink, as well as four sizes from four and a half to six inches. The team plans on manufacturing special cases to accommodate phones where the volume buttons are on the back.

They’re asking for $100,000 on Indiegogo, with the super early bird perks of a GameBeat controller and case going for $45, $25 off the retail price. Funders will get a link where they can choose the color and size of their case if the goal is reached by the close of the campaign on October 17.

The sad fact is the donations haven’t exactly been pouring in. Perhaps the asking price is a mite high for the casual gamer, and not having Apple support cuts the audience down. In any case, let’s hope Seslar and his team meet their goal on this fixed funding campaign, because the GameBeat is a stellar concept.

Editors' Recommendations

Does the Samsung Galaxy A54 have a headphone jack?
The top edge of the Galaxy A54.

The Samsung Galaxy A54 is Samsung's budget flagship that's a solid pick for anyone looking to get the best the company has to offer without breaking the bank. Every time a new smartphone like the Galaxy A54 launches, it can feel like questions about the phone's technical specs take up the majority of the conversation. The hardware features are equally as important since they're the things that prospective buyers will be physically interacting with when using the phone.

When it comes to frequently asked hardware questions, questions about 3.5mm headphone jacks are usually the ones asked most often. Although much of the world has moved on to relying primarily on wireless headphones, there are still those who use wired headphones as their main way of consuming audio content. Most major flagships have dropped headphone jacks entirely, but there's a devoted group of budget devices that still feature them for headphone users who prefer wired connections. Here's what you need to know about the Galaxy A54's audio options and if it has a headphone jack.
The Samsung Galaxy A54 doesn't have a headphone jack

Read more
How to connect a PS5 controller to a PC
playstation 5 controller ps5

The PlayStation 5’s DualSense controller is one of the biggest leaps in controller design ever, adding advanced haptic feedback to Sony’s new console. For games that take full advantage of it, like Astro’s Playroom, the effect it has on the play experience can be truly game-changing. Like most other console controllers, the DualSense can also be used to play games on PC, though without the full benefit of features like variable-resistance triggers.

For those who want to get a little more mileage out of their DualSense, here’s how to connect the PS5 controller to a PC. While the good news is that the DualSense works just like any other controller on a PC, the bad news is that, well, the DualSense works just like any other controller. It may lack the PS5-specific features that make it such a standout when connected to a PC, but it’s also simple to set up and use, whether you want to connect using a USB cable or Bluetooth.
How to connect a PS5 controller to PC with USB
Connecting the PS5 controller to a PC with a USB cable will likely be the go-to option for most people, as it’s extremely easy to do and won’t run the risk of draining the DualSense’s battery during a play session. Just connect the DualSense to a USB-C to USB-A cable (like the one that comes with the PS5), and plug the other end into your PC. If your PC has a USB-C port, you can also use a regular USB-C cable. If you’re purchasing a new DualSense on its own, as opposed to using one that comes with the console, just be aware that it won’t come with its own cable.
How to connect a PS5 controller to PC with Bluetooth
If your computer has built-in Bluetooth capability or you have a separate Bluetooth adapter, you can also connect the DualSense wirelessly. The process is the same as connecting any wireless controller. Just hold the PS button and the Create button on the DualSense to start pairing. On your PC, navigate to the Bluetooth & Other Devices menu and click Add Bluetooth or other device, then select the Bluetooth option. When the connection is made, the PS5 controller will show up as Wireless Controller in the menu.
How to use a PS5 controller on PC with Steam
The major caveat to using a PS5 controller on PC is that not all games will recognize it natively. Fortunately, Valve added limited DualSense support to Steam almost as soon as the PS5 was released and is continuing to add features. All the Steam games with controller support are playable with the DualSense, and functions like motion controls, rumble, and the light bar should work just like they did for the PS4’s controller, though new features like adaptive triggers still aren’t working.

Read more
The Huawei Watch Ultimate looks like the perfect Apple Watch Ultra rival
The Huawei Watch Ultimate in Voyage Blue and Expedition Black themes.

See if you can guess which smartwatch Huawei wants to take on with its latest release. It’s called the Huawei Watch Ultimate, and it’s made to appeal to outdoorsy types, complete with comprehensive diving and expedition modes.

It has a really big screen and a big battery too. That’s right, the Huawei Watch Ultimate is an Apple Watch Ultra competitor — but don’t pass it by just yet, because it’s worth your attention.

Read more