>Apple selling a game controller still seems like a weird prospect, though.
Rather convenient that iOS 7 included a game controller API and Apple hardware certification for Bluetooth controllers.
(Of course, they are expensive and poorly reviewed, but the groundwork is there.)
It's an interesting thought, isn't it.
I think iDevices are natural controllers, with 3rd parties making dedicated hardware as the market grows beyond casual games.
It'll start with stuff like shared family games (board on the TV, your secret deck in your hand on your own iDevice), with more hardcore but less controller-dependent games like racers following, then twitchy shooter stuff requiring proper gamepads coming last of all.
I'd think the Wii1 provides the best model here - a really accurate and solid pointing-device controller that turns sideways into a gamepad, combined with the minimal media nav buttons. There's your perfect console controller / media device hybrid interface.
Of course, the problem is that everybody also wants to stick a keyboard onto the darned thing, and that's where the slickness goes away.
I thought the Plants vs. Zombies demo already looked better than the Wii U. If Apple puts an A8 in the next AppleTV and keeps it under $200, it would be a very appealing alternative to a $400 xbox.
Apple selling a game controller still seems like a weird prospect, though.