iPadOS to get mouse and keyboard support for gaming

Apple has slowly been turning iPad into a PC for some time now, recently with proper mouse/trackpad support but on Apple’s WWDC website alludes to using the peripherals in a whole new way on iPadOS.

Apple’s recent WWDC conference saw the company announce a great number of updates and new technologies to the world. Among the iPadOS updates was the inclusion of Microsoft’s Xbox Elite Series 2 controller and the Xbox Adaptive Controller.

As mentioned above, on Apple’s WWDC website is a video called “Bring keyboard and mouse gaming to iPad,” on the page Apple says,” Level up your iPad games and add in keyboard, mouse, and trackpad controls. Discover how to use the Game Controller framework to augment your existing titles, bring over games from other platforms, or dream up entirely new interaction experiences.”

iPadOS 14 will include enhancements to the Game Controller framework that will go beyond just the traditional game controller. Apple does say that devs will have to implement this support into their existing games, so don’t expect for all game to suddenly work with your favorite mouse and keyboard.

Apple Arcade Overview

We all know the problem with mobile games these days, constant adds, in-app purchases and games sole reason for existing to get you to buy extras in game. This model is 180 degrees different from the classic console gaming model. With console gaming you buy a game and play it, some modern titles offer in-game purchases but do not show adds like mobile gaming does.

Apple Arcade seeks to set right the problem they essentially help create by giving users a console like gaming experience without the need to buy any games or own a console.

• Available on iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV
• “Play all you want” subscription model
• Titles are exclusive to Apple Arcade
• $4.99 per month
• Subscriptions can be shared via Family Sharing
• No in-app-purchases, no advertisements
• Over 100 games available
• Available in over 150 countries
• Wide selection of genres

With over 100 game titles available, Apple’s Arcade is a compelling option for those firmly inside Apple’s hardware eco-system. Apple recently announced that iOS is now compatible with a wide variety of gaming controllers including the Xbox Wireless Controller, the PlayStation DualShock 4, SteelSeries Nimbus and Nimbus+ and others.