Samsung today announced a Smartphone GamePad controller for smartphone gamers. Samsung says the GamePad along with the Mobile Console app enhances the gaming experience on Samsung’s Galaxy line of devices. The GamePad is optimized for the Galaxy devices like Galaxy Note 3, S4, Note II, and SIII running Android 4.3 and up.
The Smartphone GamePad is compatible with Android smartphones and tablets running Android 4.1 and up, it is optimized for Samsung Galaxy devices though. It pairs with the smartphone and tablets with Bluetooth pairing, incase of Samsung Galaxy supported devices users can pair using NFC. The Controller was first showed at the Galaxy S4 event, the device changed a bit since then. This metallic frame includes a D-pad, 2 analog sticks, 4 action buttons and 2 trigger buttons, select button and start button. Play button for Android 4.3 and up devices.
Using the Play button users can quickly launch supported games on the device. The press release says that it is compatible with Android smartphones and tablets, but remember it is optimized for Galaxy S devices and along with the Mobile Console app users can buy games and play them. There are around 35 supported games so far and more will be added in 2014. Users can dock smartphones with screen sizes from 4-inches to 6.3-inches on GamePad arm for a console like experience. Users can also connect their smartphones to TVs through HDMI cable for mirroring the screen.
The Gamepad is available in select European markets initially and later it will be available in other markets. The pricing details of the Gamepad are not yet available.
