this post was submitted on 22 Aug 2024
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ATOM Collectible Keychain Controller: A Gaming Revolution in Miniature

CRKD has announced a new controller that’s set to redefine gaming on-the-go. The ATOM collectible keychain controller, measuring at 68mm long, 35mm wide, and 12mm deep, proves size isn’t an obstacle for performance.

Features:

  • Compatibility with Mac, PC, Switch, smartphone, and tablet devices
  • 10 hours of battery life
  • Eight different colours to choose from (including translucent shells)

Jack Guinchard’s Statement: "At CRKD, we’re dedicated to creating gaming gear that elevates both the gaming and collectible experience..."

Price: £19.99 / $19.99 / €24.99

  • Release date: August 2024

Can you see yourself using one of these with your phone when you're out and about? Are you interested in them just for the collectible aspect?

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[–] xela@lemmy.ml 10 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

You can buy a similar thing off Ali for half the price: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806536492707.html

[–] B0NK3RS@lemmy.world 8 points 2 months ago

Actually looks like a nice bit of kit but not for £20.

[–] BuboScandiacus@mander.xyz 7 points 2 months ago
[–] JoeKis@lemmy.world 7 points 2 months ago (1 children)
[–] EvilBit@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago

My exact thought. Just…why?

https://www.8bitdo.com/micro/

[–] Redkey@programming.dev 4 points 2 months ago

Worse than companies that release doodads virtually identical to things that have been cranked out of Shenzen factories for years as "new and unique" products, are news sites that go along with them.

I've tried a couple of things like this over the years and none of them has been very useable. They're just too small to really hold comfortably, but also, what do you do with your phone while you're holding this with two hands? Putting it on a stand on a table is possible in a cafe or library, but not on the train or standing in line.

Most phone controllers seem to fall into one of two categories; either too small to really use (and with no way to attach them to a phone) like this, or huge, ergonomic things with clips or stretching middles that are too big and bulky to carry everywhere for unexpected gaming time. I have found two small-ish, square-ish controllers with clips and the full, standard range of buttons that work for me (not so small they cramp my hands, not so big and oddly-shaped that I can't throw them in my bag and forget about them), but I think they're both out of production now.