ICade
A Bluetooth arcade cabinet accessory for the iPad.
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The iCade is a portable accessory for Apple iPads that turns the tablet into a miniature arcade cabinet. It includes a physical 8-way ball-top joystick and eight digital buttons.
Overview
The iPad sits vertically inside the unit, with a groove allowing landscape play, and connects via Bluetooth to function as a controller for compatible games. A front "coin slot" lights up when powered on and flashes when batteries are low. Power comes from two AA batteries or an AC adapter, and an iPad charging cable can be routed through the underside for simultaneous play and charging.
Internally, the iCade acts as a standard Bluetooth keyboard, mapping its joystick and buttons to 24 specific keys. Because iPads natively support Bluetooth keyboards, no special software is needed beyond games that recognize these inputs. This same protocol allows other Bluetooth input devices, like the iControlPad, to work with iCade-compatible apps.
Development
The iCade began as an April Fools' Day joke by ThinkGeek in 2010, but media interest led the company to call it "a possibility." The prank version used Apple's dock connector, which faced licensing hurdles. After the gag, ION Audio contacted ThinkGeek privately, and the two companies collaborated, securing support from Atari.
A working Bluetooth version was shown at the Consumer Electronics Show in January 2011 running Asteroids, and it launched on ThinkGeek on June 27, 2011. ION Audio provides documentation for developers to add iCade support, including Apple guidelines that avoid using the "iCade" name. Developer Stuart Carnie released an unofficial SDK for iOS, and a library exists for Adobe Flash games.
Pairing
Pairing requires entering a numeric passcode via the buttons and joystick. To enter pairing mode, hold down the bottom four buttons and the top white button (6, 8, 0, and both Enter buttons) for four seconds, then release.
Reception
Reception has been mostly positive. Ars Technica called it "an attractive, capable piece of hardware that does exactly what you want it to do." IGN found it "surprisingly functional" and "certain to please" its target audience. TouchArcade deemed it "an absolute must-have iPad accessory for the serious retro gamer." Engadget described it as "well constructed" and "an awesome addition to your gaming collection."
Opinions on the controls are mixed to positive.
Lore & Background
The iCade was originally announced by ThinkGeek on April 1, 2010 as an April Fools' Day prank, but it was widely covered in electronics media as a potential product. ThinkGeek responded to speculation by saying a real iCade was 'a possibility'. The April Fools' version was stated to connect via the standard Apple dock connector, which was noted as a potential blocker due to licensing fees and restrictions. Shortly after the revelation, ThinkGeek was contacted privately by ION Audio with a proposal to develop the concept.
ThinkGeek and ION staff worked together and secured support from Atari, rightsholders to a large catalogue of arcade games. A working iCade, produced by ION Audio, was demonstrated running the 1979 arcade title Asteroids at the Consumer Electronics Show in January 2011, with a projected release in 'late spring'. This version replaced the dock connection with Bluetooth, sidestepping potential issues, and the completed device was released on ThinkGeek on June 27, 2011.
Internally, the iCade is essentially a Bluetooth keyboard—the joystick and buttons are mapped to 24 different standard keys. Since the iPad natively supports Bluetooth keyboards, it can receive inputs without special software beyond games designed to respond to those inputs. This system also allows other Bluetooth input devices, such as the iControlPad, to use the same protocol. ION Audio provides a document covering information necessary to add iCade support to applications, including guidelines for acceptance from Apple, such as avoiding references to the 'iCade' name. iOS app developer Stuart Carnie of Manomio has released an unofficial SDK, and a library is available for adding iCade support to Adobe Flash games.
To put the iCade into pairing mode, hold down the bottom 4 buttons and the top white button (6, 8, 0, and both Enter buttons) simultaneously for 4 seconds, then release them. A numeric passcode must be entered via its buttons and control stick when pairing.
Reader's Guide
The iCade's significance lies in its transformation of an April Fools' joke into a commercially produced accessory that brought physical arcade controls to the iPad. Its Bluetooth keyboard emulation allowed it to work with any iPad without special drivers, though it required games specifically designed to respond to its key mappings. The device's reception was mostly positive, with reviewers calling it an attractive, capable piece of hardware that does exactly what it is intended to do. The controls received mixed to positive feedback: some found the joystick and buttons responsive, while others noted the configuration was a little cramped and the joystick looser than preferred.
The widest criticism was the small library of compatible software at launch, with only Atari's Greatest Hits available. This limited software availability led some to call it a one-trick pony. Following the iCade, Atari and Taito released their own versions: the Atari Arcade (using a dock connector and working only with Atari's Greatest Hits) and the Invadercade (featuring built-in speakers, a volume knob, and media center functionality). A smaller version called the iCade Jr. was also released for iPhone or iPod Touch.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: ICade (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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