Wireless gaming controller for cellphones expected this fall

Wireless game controllers are standard fare for home-based console machines such as the Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360 and Sony PlayStation 3 — so why shouldn’t you indulge in cellphone games with similar technology?

Wireless game controllers are standard fare for home-based console machines such as the Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360 and Sony PlayStation 3 — so why shouldn’t you indulge in cellphone games with similar technology?

Zeemote, the makers of a new Bluetooth-based product called the Zeemote JS1 Controller, announced a partnership with Sony Ericsson to bring a "near-console game” experience to the W760i smartphone — but only in the Netherlands, to start.

Offered for free along with the purchase of the W760i Walkman phone until Oct. 31, the Zeemote JS1 Controller — when used to play the two embedded Zeemote-ready games — allows gamers to control the action using the analog thumb-stick and four assignable trigger buttons. An additional 14 games are also available as downloads.

According to the official release, the Zeemote is ergonomically designed to fit comfortably in one’s hand, and weighs just 1.7 ounces.

I contacted Zeemote’s U.S.-based public relations representative to see when the JS1 will make its North American debut. While there’s no exact launch date, it’s expected sometime in the fall. Neither price or carrier/phone support has been confirmed yet.

Filed Under: Games > Handhelds > Portable Devices