Samsung presenta Smartphone GamePad

Non si tratta della prima incursione di Samsung nel mondo dei gamepad per smartphone, ma il dispositivo lanciato oggi è senz'altro il più ambizioso in tale area finora realizzato dall'azienda coreana, sia nel design che nelle funzionalità.

LEGGI ANCHE: In pre-ordine il Game Pad del Galaxy S4

Il nuovo Smartphone GamePad non brillerà infatti per l'originalità del nome, ma in compenso si adatterà perfettamente a qualsiasi smartphone Galaxy (in realtà non vediamo ragioni, salvo particolari form factor, per cui non dovrebbe agganciarsi bene anche ad altri dispositivi), che vada dai 4 ai 6,3'', accoppiandosi via Bluetooth 3.0/NFC.

Il vero selling-point per dispositivi Galaxy è però costituito dall'app Mobile Console, scaricabile solo tramite lo store di Samsung, e che verrà lanciata alla pressione del tasto "play" sul GamePad. Lo scopo è quello di fornire "giochi di livello console a prezzi ragionevoli", ma ovviamente in questo modo viene scavalcato anche il Google Play Store, a tutto vantaggio di Samsung.

Tra i titoli disponibili, Samsung ricorda Need for Speed Most Wanted, Asphalt8 : Airborne, Modern Combat 4 : Zero Hour, Virtua Tennis Challenge, e Prince of Persia : The Shadow and the Flame. Al lancio i giochi dedicati saranno 35, con promessa di espansione nel 2014.

GamePad dovrebbe essere già disponibile in "selezionati" mercati europei, allargando il suo bacino d'influenza nelle prossime settimane. Vi faremo sapere in merito a disponibilità e prezzo per l'Italia.

SEOUL, Korea - December 17, 2013 - Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a leader in mobile technology and digital solutions, today introduced the Smartphone GamePad and Mobile Console app to enhance the gaming experience on Samsung’s popular line of Galaxy devices. Launched in response to the rapidly expanding global mobile gaming market, Smartphone GamePad provides consumers with a fun, convenient, and advanced gaming experience anytime, anywhere.

The Smartphone GamePad instantly transforms the user’s Galaxy smartphone or tablet into a portable gaming console or even a home console.

Through its premium, easy-to-carry design and durable steel frame, GamePad is attachable to mobile devices ranging from 4-inches to 6.3-inches, allowing users to play games wherever they are. Users can also connect Galaxy devices to their TV through an HDMI cable or AllShare Screen Mirroring for video game console experience from their living room.

GamePad easily connects with smartphones and tablets through Bluetooth pairing. The most convenient features optimized for Samsung Galaxy devices running Android 4.3 such as Galaxy Note 3, S4, Note II, and S III enable easy connectivity with GamePad via NFC tag and quicker access to games via the “PLAY” button.

With just a tap of the “PLAY” button, users can easily access the Mobile Console app, Samsung’s new integrated game launching app that opens in conjunction with GamePad to allow users to conveniently browse and purchase game pad supported games. Users can save money by enjoying reasonably priced console-quality games without the expense of additional gaming systems, as Mobile Console features games across a variety of categories including traditional racing titles such as EA’s Need for Speed™ Most Wanted and Gameloft’s Asphalt8 : Airborne, first-person shooter titles such as Gameloft’s Modern Combat 4 : Zero Hour, sports titles such as SEGA’s Virtua Tennis™ Challenge, and action titles such as Ubisoft’s Prince of Persia : The Shadow and the Flame.

The Mobile Console app is available for download through Samsung Apps or by tapping the GamePad’s ”PLAY” button, and offers 35 dedicated games at launch with much more to come in 2014.

The GamePad is is currently available in select European markets and will be available in additional regions in the coming weeks. The availability of the GamePad varies by market.

Samsung Smartphone GamePad Product Specifications

＊ All functionality, features, specifications, and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.