That's a double edged sword. One, is that honestly my phone's battery is more important than a gamepad's battery. I'd rather not have it mooch off of my phone, since these days your phone does...
That's a double edged sword.
One, is that honestly my phone's battery is more important than a gamepad's battery. I'd rather not have it mooch off of my phone, since these days your phone does critical things like pay for parking tickets or your commute home.
Second is that the USB-C port is one of the more vulnerable parts of a modern phone. These kinds of designs cause far more wear than charging them do, and can bring phones to require repair or replacement much earlier than they otherwise would.
It's not uncommon for battery-banks with a similar form factor to cause damage. Imagine if you had the controller on and dropped your phone - that's suddenly a lot of force on the USB-C port.
What we really need is standardized pogo pin pads somewhere on the back of the phone, ala the Smart Connector found on iPads. In addition to offering magnetic data connectivity, this could also...
What we really need is standardized pogo pin pads somewhere on the back of the phone, ala the Smart Connector found on iPads.
In addition to offering magnetic data connectivity, this could also allow an enhanced version of MagSafe/Qi 2 that is more efficient since it doesn’t rely on magnetic fields. Then, things like snap on controllers and keyboards can also double as power banks.
Fair point, I've been going caseless for so long that the thought didn't occur to me. Cases could still if they had passthrough contacts though, perhaps themselves magnetic to ensure a secure...
Fair point, I've been going caseless for so long that the thought didn't occur to me. Cases could still if they had passthrough contacts though, perhaps themselves magnetic to ensure a secure connection.
https://9to5google.com/2026/01/08/8bitdo-flip-pad-android-emulator-controller/ https://nitter.net/8BitDo/status/2007844470444933384 8bitdo is launching a USB C powered controller mid year that...
Very clever! GameSir definitely wins on the overall execution of the design, though. The clamshell surrounding the phone enables a much cleaner button layout.
Very clever! GameSir definitely wins on the overall execution of the design, though. The clamshell surrounding the phone enables a much cleaner button layout.
I feel like I don't add much to the conversation, but I wouldn't be able to put it out of my mind. It'd be there every time I'd look at it or think about it. Pocket Taco is funny though.
I feel like I don't add much to the conversation, but I wouldn't be able to put it out of my mind. It'd be there every time I'd look at it or think about it. Pocket Taco is funny though.
What is Mullvad? Is it just another VPN company like NordVPN or something? I see their ads in BART all the time, but they don’t really explain why it’s different than other VPNs on their posters.
What is Mullvad? Is it just another VPN company like NordVPN or something? I see their ads in BART all the time, but they don’t really explain why it’s different than other VPNs on their posters.
Mullvad is the only good one. They don’t have any information on you. They assign you a random number and that’s your username and password. They don’t auto-renew subscriptions, instead offering...
Mullvad is the only good one. They don’t have any information on you. They assign you a random number and that’s your username and password. They don’t auto-renew subscriptions, instead offering you the ability to set up a calendar reminder. You can even just mail them cash to Sweden with your account number noted on a piece of paper. Their software works well on all types of devices. The client is FOSS. Their 3rd party audits usually go like this “Holy shit we’ve never seen anything this legit before. They really don’t know anything about their customers.” IIRC their VPN servers don’t even have storage installed.
A lot of sites blanket ban IP ranges from known VPN hosts. Unfortunately, VPNs are often used for nefarious purposes, from botting to pentesting, so it's not uncommon.
A lot of sites blanket ban IP ranges from known VPN hosts. Unfortunately, VPNs are often used for nefarious purposes, from botting to pentesting, so it's not uncommon.
Cool little device, and the Kickstarter price of $30 sounds reasonable enough to me. I am a little disappointed that it doesn't just connect via USB-C like the recently announced 8bitdo controller...
Cool little device, and the Kickstarter price of $30 sounds reasonable enough to me. I am a little disappointed that it doesn't just connect via USB-C like the recently announced 8bitdo controller that's pretty similar but I don't think it's a big deal for it to be Bluetooth. I don't really play many games on my phone anymore, except for Sudoku, but seems like a novel solution to play late 90s/early 00s consoles on your phone.
I’m potentially in on this. I tried a sort of DIY version of this earlier in the year using an 8BitDo Micro and some tiny suction cups to stick it to my phone screen. The suction cups work well...
I’m potentially in on this.
I tried a sort of DIY version of this earlier in the year using an 8BitDo Micro and some tiny suction cups to stick it to my phone screen.
The suction cups work well for keeping the controller in place and making the whole thing feel like a single unit, but I couldn’t find ones that were low-profile enough to keep the controller from rocking a bit whenever I used it. I really want something that feels completely sturdy.
I’m also a sucker for Atomic Purple, though I wish they changed the button colors, because I think the purple-on-purple look cheapens it quite a bit.
Meanwhile, I actually prefer not having a USB connection only because I broke my phone’s USB-C port by stubbornly trying to fit it into a different GameSir controller with a case on (which it’s not designed for).
I’m not fully sold on it yet, but I’m considering backing it.
This looks pretty cool. Might pick one up for cases where I want to play something on the go but not necessarily bring the steam deck with me. I'm, uh, quite picky about d-pads though, so I'll...
This looks pretty cool. Might pick one up for cases where I want to play something on the go but not necessarily bring the steam deck with me.
I'm, uh, quite picky about d-pads though, so I'll wait for some reviews first. But I already have a gamesir controller and the dpad is great, so I hope they deliver good quality here too.
Not really clear if it can be used with existing programs like MyOldBoy! or if it only works with software from the company. Anyone have insight on that?
Not really clear if it can be used with existing programs like MyOldBoy! or if it only works with software from the company. Anyone have insight on that?
It's a Bluetooth gamepad that has the option to pass itself off as a keyboard. If either of those options work with your setup, it should be fine. I don't know enough about MyOldBoy in particular,...
It's a Bluetooth gamepad that has the option to pass itself off as a keyboard. If either of those options work with your setup, it should be fine. I don't know enough about MyOldBoy in particular, but GameSir has made a lot of mobile controllers and previewers had Delta and Classic Boy working with the device.
It's a universal Bluetooth controller, it ought to work with any app with controller support. Their app they reference is for tweaking the controller itself.
It's a universal Bluetooth controller, it ought to work with any app with controller support. Their app they reference is for tweaking the controller itself.
Love the form factor, but disappointed to see it uses Bluetooth. A usb-c connection with no charging required would be a lot more appealing.
That's a double edged sword.
One, is that honestly my phone's battery is more important than a gamepad's battery. I'd rather not have it mooch off of my phone, since these days your phone does critical things like pay for parking tickets or your commute home.
Second is that the USB-C port is one of the more vulnerable parts of a modern phone. These kinds of designs cause far more wear than charging them do, and can bring phones to require repair or replacement much earlier than they otherwise would.
It's not uncommon for battery-banks with a similar form factor to cause damage. Imagine if you had the controller on and dropped your phone - that's suddenly a lot of force on the USB-C port.
What we really need is standardized pogo pin pads somewhere on the back of the phone, ala the Smart Connector found on iPads.
In addition to offering magnetic data connectivity, this could also allow an enhanced version of MagSafe/Qi 2 that is more efficient since it doesn’t rely on magnetic fields. Then, things like snap on controllers and keyboards can also double as power banks.
The whole appeal of magsafe is that it can be used through a case though.
Fair point, I've been going caseless for so long that the thought didn't occur to me. Cases could still if they had passthrough contacts though, perhaps themselves magnetic to ensure a secure connection.
https://9to5google.com/2026/01/08/8bitdo-flip-pad-android-emulator-controller/
https://nitter.net/8BitDo/status/2007844470444933384
8bitdo is launching a USB C powered controller mid year that looks like it fits your specifications a little better.
Very clever! GameSir definitely wins on the overall execution of the design, though. The clamshell surrounding the phone enables a much cleaner button layout.
That looks even more exciting and doesn’t appear to be named for an unfortunate innuendo.
I know not of what you speak, fellow Tildo.
It's probably just my degenerate mind, so we should leave it in there for now.
I feel like I don't add much to the conversation, but I wouldn't be able to put it out of my mind. It'd be there every time I'd look at it or think about it. Pocket Taco is funny though.
Wow. Kickstarter gives a 403 when I connect from Mullvad.
Wow that's super tacky, I'm used to random what not misbehaving behind VPN but kickstarter really has no excuse I can think of
Even worse are the sites that give a 404 when you're on a VPN!
What is Mullvad? Is it just another VPN company like NordVPN or something? I see their ads in BART all the time, but they don’t really explain why it’s different than other VPNs on their posters.
Mullvad is the only good one. They don’t have any information on you. They assign you a random number and that’s your username and password. They don’t auto-renew subscriptions, instead offering you the ability to set up a calendar reminder. You can even just mail them cash to Sweden with your account number noted on a piece of paper. Their software works well on all types of devices. The client is FOSS. Their 3rd party audits usually go like this “Holy shit we’ve never seen anything this legit before. They really don’t know anything about their customers.” IIRC their VPN servers don’t even have storage installed.
Mullvad is the only vpn I trust. It’s from the pirate party in Sweden.
A lot of sites blanket ban IP ranges from known VPN hosts. Unfortunately, VPNs are often used for nefarious purposes, from botting to pentesting, so it's not uncommon.
Here is the official listing on their website if that helps
https://gamesir.com/products/gamesir-poket-taco
Cool little device, and the Kickstarter price of $30 sounds reasonable enough to me. I am a little disappointed that it doesn't just connect via USB-C like the recently announced 8bitdo controller that's pretty similar but I don't think it's a big deal for it to be Bluetooth. I don't really play many games on my phone anymore, except for Sudoku, but seems like a novel solution to play late 90s/early 00s consoles on your phone.
I’m potentially in on this.
I tried a sort of DIY version of this earlier in the year using an 8BitDo Micro and some tiny suction cups to stick it to my phone screen.
The suction cups work well for keeping the controller in place and making the whole thing feel like a single unit, but I couldn’t find ones that were low-profile enough to keep the controller from rocking a bit whenever I used it. I really want something that feels completely sturdy.
I’m also a sucker for Atomic Purple, though I wish they changed the button colors, because I think the purple-on-purple look cheapens it quite a bit.
Meanwhile, I actually prefer not having a USB connection only because I broke my phone’s USB-C port by stubbornly trying to fit it into a different GameSir controller with a case on (which it’s not designed for).
I’m not fully sold on it yet, but I’m considering backing it.
This looks pretty cool. Might pick one up for cases where I want to play something on the go but not necessarily bring the steam deck with me.
I'm, uh, quite picky about d-pads though, so I'll wait for some reviews first. But I already have a gamesir controller and the dpad is great, so I hope they deliver good quality here too.
Not really clear if it can be used with existing programs like MyOldBoy! or if it only works with software from the company. Anyone have insight on that?
It's a Bluetooth gamepad that has the option to pass itself off as a keyboard. If either of those options work with your setup, it should be fine. I don't know enough about MyOldBoy in particular, but GameSir has made a lot of mobile controllers and previewers had Delta and Classic Boy working with the device.
It's a universal Bluetooth controller, it ought to work with any app with controller support. Their app they reference is for tweaking the controller itself.