If you like playing Angry Birds but aren’t crazy about having to touch a screen to do so, the PlayPad and PlayPad Pro may be for you.
[aditude-amp id="flyingcarpet" targeting='{"env":"staging","page_type":"article","post_id":465850,"post_type":"story","post_chan":"none","tags":null,"ai":false,"category":"none","all_categories":"games,","session":"D"}']California-based gaming peripheral maker Nyko has announced two Bluetooth-enabled controllers for Android tablets at this week’s Electronic Entertainment Expo trade show in Los Angeles. Nyko is co-developing the PlayPad and PlayPad Pro with mobile device processor manufacturer Nvidia to optimize them for use with devices running on Nvidia’s Tegra 3 chipset.
The PlayPads feature all the buttons you’d expect to find on console controllers, including dual analog sticks (sliders on the non-Pro version), directional pads, shoulder bumpers, and face buttons in the industry-standard A-B-X-Y variety. The Pro model (below) bears a striking resemblance to the Xbox 360 controller, which is becoming something of a trend this E3.
Both the PlayPad and the Pro will include Playground, a free app from Nyko compatible with Android version 3.0 and higher, which will “offer backwards compatibility for other Android games and a variety of button-mapping features, including customized controller layout,” according to Nyko’s press release. The PlayPad will also come with a portable tablet stand, so you won’t have to MacGyver up an elaborate propping rig out of books and rubber bands.
We’ve received no word on pricing yet, but the PlayPad and PlayPad Pro will be available at select retailers this holiday season.
We’re going to be writing about E3 all week, so be sure to follow out our full coverage here.
