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Developer Brings StarCraft II Controller to iPhone

by - source: Tom's Hardware US

Playing StarCraft II? There's an app for that.

There are thousands of developers making applications for the App Store, and a lot of the stuff they produce is complete rubbish. Only a small fraction of the apps available are news worthy, and an even smaller portion is news worthy before they're even available. However, one unusual app has made headlines before it's even finished.

Developer Daniel Hellerman is currently developing an application that will allow iPhone and iPad owners to control StarCraft II with their smartphone or tablet. Dubbed the StarCraft II Gameboard, the application lets you remotely control your game and includes mini-map control, detailed unit statistics, and access to the game's important hotkeys and macros.

The application only works when synced to a program on your game's PC, and TUAW reports that this program is Windows only so Mac users won't be able to make use of it unless they're running Windows via Boot Camp. Hellerman says the app is due out in September, but there's a chance Blizzard will put a stop to it before then.

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Ch33ky 09/01/2010 2:15 AM
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-20+

Well the app itself
is pretty
neat. I just don't
necessarily see any usefulness for
ever wanting to use the app when you'll
really need a mouse anyway, and your keyboard is right there too
?

drutort 09/01/2010 2:29 AM
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-0+

FAIL

Anonymous 09/01/2010 2:29 AM
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-4+

if they can get latency similar if just slightly slower then a keyboard it'll be awesome, kind of like an interactive auxiliary display, micro-management on a whole new level....

Cons29 09/01/2010 2:35 AM
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-15+

i dont think this will be useful. with the size of that screen? and since your pc is powered up already why use a phone?

how ironic, an app for iphone but will only work on windows :)
besides i dont think you'll be able to see any action.

proxy711 09/01/2010 2:40 AM
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-1+

I think it will be more useful then you guys make it out to be. The fact however is blizzard will likely block it and also you need an iphone or ipad to use it.

volt-aire 09/01/2010 2:42 AM
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-1+

Like most iphone apps, it will be a thing you think is pretty cool that you try once, enjoy, show all your friends, enjoy their gleeful cries, and then forget about. You spend $2 on it so you got your money's worth, the dev makes a ton of money, and everyone is happy.

I don't think anyone would seriously consider this over a mouse/keyboard, as it would be replacing the keyboard and you cannot cram nearly as much functionality, with nearly as much rapid accessibility, onto that little screen as good ol' qwerty here. It is really neat, though.

Cons29 09/01/2010 2:44 AM
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-1+

ill give it a thumbs up when somebody uses it to play online and win a decent game.

hmn, what if your base is being painted(nuke)?

Ciuy 09/01/2010 3:08 AM
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cbrownx88 09/01/2010 3:56 AM
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-4+

Fools. Play with that, a mouse, and a keyboard. Focus on strategy on the screen, use that screen to build!

IzzyCraft 09/01/2010 4:54 AM
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-1+

I guess still not as idiotic as playing scrabble on 4 iphones and 1 ipad

Anonymous 09/01/2010 5:30 AM
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-0+

Ahh the iPhone. Bringing productivity to the workplace once again!

cranium 09/01/2010 6:31 AM
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-1+

Learn what "proof of concept" is, people.

NotYetRated 09/01/2010 6:37 AM
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-1+

Too bad its for the god awful Iphone. Make it for Android.

NotYetRated 09/01/2010 6:40 AM
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-0+

The app may be useful, but its for Iphone. Making it irrelevant.

theoutbound 09/01/2010 6:43 AM
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-1+

The only use I see for this is just screwing with your roommate, friends and anyone else's PC you could install the client on. Hilarity and pure evil would ensue immediately.

IncinX 09/01/2010 7:48 AM
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--1+

One day, we will have PCs in our head and we will just close our eyes and play with the latency of our brain, having a coke on a cold summer on the frikin beach, Starcraft 3 ...

janachen 09/01/2010 8:24 AM
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-0+

Apps for the iPad is acceptable but for the iPhone i don't think this will be usefull..lols...true gamers need bigger screen to feel what they're playing..

Benihana 09/01/2010 9:37 AM
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-2+

Ironic how the iPad/iPhone are Apple products, but this app won't work with a Mac.

dEAne 09/01/2010 9:39 AM
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-0+

Keyboard and mouse is still the best, but it is a good idea.

L0tus 09/01/2010 9:44 AM
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-1+

Cons29 :
and since your pc is powered up already why use a phone?



It's OK Cons29, they're Apple users. They're 'special'. ;)

Maziar 09/01/2010 11:16 AM
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-0+

Although playing with mouse and keyboard is easier, I like the idea overall.

brianmoz 09/01/2010 1:26 PM
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-2+

drutort :
FAIL


stuck up comp nerds please get off the high horse.

Stifle 09/01/2010 2:15 PM
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-0+

interesting idea for a app, though I agree with other posters that it will likely not be supported/allowed by Blizzard. If the app were a simulations that people could use to perfect building orders, strategies etc. then I could see it having a longer lifetime.

c00lit 09/01/2010 2:41 PM
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--1+

brianmoz :
stuck up comp nerds please get off the high horse.



Sorry but "Fail" as unprofessional a term it may be... is rather accurate in this case.

The dev even knows that blizzard might put an end to it.

It's "cool" kinda, but really useless...

kelemvor4 09/01/2010 3:13 PM
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-0+

"but there's a chance Blizzard will put a stop to it before then."

I'd say a 100% chance unless blizzard is getting paid.

back_by_demand 09/01/2010 3:30 PM
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-0+

Good idea, this app should be available cross-platform for all smartphones/tablets. I can see similar apps being made for use with AoE. C&C, etc.

Pointdexter 09/01/2010 4:30 PM
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-0+

Could be usefull if you really need to poop during a tournament

Socnom 09/01/2010 4:46 PM
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-1+

What would be more interesting would be if a developer used the SC/SCII GUI to replace the GUI of the iPhone/Android. The mini map could be google maps / GPS system. The units could be the groups in your contacts like Work/Friends/Family/Enemies. you know.. something like that.

jgiron 09/01/2010 6:25 PM
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-0+

built on Mac for the the PC only, i love it!

wildwell 09/01/2010 6:31 PM
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-1+

cbrownx88 :
Fools. Play with that, a mouse, and a keyboard. Focus on strategy on the screen, use that screen to build!


That's what I was thinking. This app might let you have eyes in two places at once!

borisof007 09/01/2010 6:33 PM
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-0+

"this program is Windows only"

LOOOLLLLLLLL


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