Mad Catz to unleash iOS 7 controller C.T.R.L.i in April

Mad Catz plans to release iOS 7 compatible controller C.T.R.L.i in April for approximately $80, the peripheral company revealed during an event at Mobile World Congress yesterday.

The controller is based on the MLG Pro Circuit Controller that the company launched last year for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, according to Alex Verrey, Mad Catz global PR and communications director. "We are not trying to deliver a cheap and cheerless Bluetooth controller, we're trying to bring a premium experience to mobile," he told Polygon via email. "The bluetooth chip is premium as are the components used. We're building it for the next generation of mobile titles and humbly believe it will be the highest quality Bluetooth controller for iOS when it launches."

The C.T.R.L.i supports iOS7 devices such as the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch and is compatible with all controller-enabled games on the Apple App Store. Verrey told Polygon that the controller runs on two triple A batteries, which should offer "around 50 hours of power." The peripheral ships with a removable phone clip that screws on to the top of the controller allowing users to dock their device, alternatively the controller can be used by syncing to a tablet. The device will be available in multiple colors, including orange and blue.

Support for third-party game controllers was introduced to certain Apple devices last year with the roll out of iOS 7 and its MFi controller framework. Since then, numerous peripheral manufactures have revealed and launched iOS game controllers, such as Logitech's PowerShell, ClamCase's GameCase and the $100 Moga Ace Power.