Well, Monday has shuffled into view, looking sad and wan and probably wishing that it was one of the cool days like Friday or Saturday. Sorry Monday, you're rubbish and we all hate you, and that's never going to change.
Another thing that's never going to change is the order we put up content on AppSpy. We fear change, it is the enemy of the people. And that's why you're getting a Monday Musing today, on Monday.
This week I thought it'd make sense to look at what Apple and iOS developers could, but probably won't, learn from the Nintendo Switch. I've presented it in list form as well, because that's all the rage nowadays and I can't really be bothered to try and innovate content presentation on a Monday. Stupid Monday.
More than one
One thing iOS devices are missing is same device multiplayer. There are some great games out there that you can play with your friends, but not enough of them. By the same token, there aren't that many games that make use of the inherent connectivity of your phone or tablet.
I'm not just talking about the internet connection either. Being able to connect to a friend's phone to play a game over Bluetooth should be happening way more than it is right now. Train journey with a friend? Play some games together while you're on the move.
If the iPhone is going to be considered a proper gaming platform (not that it isn't by smart people already, but you know what I mean), then this is something that someone really needs to take advantage of.
Apple TV
No one bought an Apple TV. Well, some people probably did, but it's hardly the money spinner Apple might have wished. So why not take the next logical step and create a dock that you can slip your iPhone into when you get home from wherever it is you go nowadays?
Your phone is definitely powerful enough to control things like this. Even something like a Chromecast, that means you're not having to let go of your favourite thing in the world just to see things on a bigger screen.
And let's be honest, a lot of people buy into the Apple ecosystem in a big way. So attach your iPad to your TV, use your iPhone as a controller. You've got yourself one of the most expensive games consoles ever made right there.
Controllers
The MFi movement failed horribly. Mainly because the controllers were too expensive and, quite frankly, not that good. If that's something that can be corrected, and we end up with solid controllers for a sensible price, then we're onto a winner.
Something based on the Switch design would be great. Two devices that snap to the edge of your phone, that you can use as independent controllers. It's not going to take that much of a feat of engineering to create them.
And while I'll defend well implemented touchscreen controls until I'm blue in the entire body, even if can accept that some games would be much better if I had some actual buttons to poke around. Who doesn't love poking around buttons?
