Background

Mobile gaming has transformed smartphones into powerful gaming platforms, delivering accessible, immersive gameplay to millions worldwide. Gamevice, an award-winning mobile console company based in Simi Valley, California, played a pivotal role in this evolution.

Gamevice chose to keep their internal team small and focused, so they sought out SOE to add capabilities otherwise out of reach. SOE served as a full-service engineering partner, supporting Gamevice across product roadmaps for multiple product lines.

Gamevice FLEX

After selling over one million units of previous models, Gamevice introduced FLEX. FLEX features enhanced buttons, long-lasting hall effect triggers, a new design for smartphone case compatibility, and, by popular demand, a 3.5mm headset jack.

Building on our work with older models, we assisted Gamevice with the electronics and firmware of the iPhone and Android versions of FLEX, helping bring it to market.

Hall effect technology for enhanced durability and performance

Hall effect technology is increasingly popular in gaming controllers. Unlike conventional analog potentiometers, which rely on physical contact to register input, Hall effect sensors turn magnetic field strength into electrical signals to detect movement. This contactless approach eliminates wear, significantly increasing the longevity and reliability of the controller.

Previously, Hall effect components were not an option for Made for iPhone (MFi) accessories due to older Interface Accessory Protocol (IAP) regulations set by Apple. However, Apple lifted this restriction during the development of FLEX. Magnetic components are now allowed if the design can pass strict RF interference testing. 

We incorporated a Hall effect sensor into each trigger on FLEX, providing a console-like range of travel that gives the player greater control. When actuated, a magnet on the trigger lands precisely on top of the sensor to achieve maximum sensitivity. The new sensors are less susceptible to wear and provide a more consistent user experience over a longer period.

Back of right side PCB

Back of left side PCB

Design troubleshooting to achieve MFi certification

The IAP requires that MFi accessories pass a rigorous RF test for electromagnetic interference (EMI). While assessing risks, we discovered the greatest potential of RF interference came from the wire harness connecting the lightning connector to the PCB. 
The tiny wires in the harness initially caused capacitance levels that posed a risk of antenna detuning. We integrated an EMI spring soldered onto the PCB to address this and pass Apple’s RF testing for MFi accessories. 

When the PCB is installed into the FLEX housing, the spring is screwed down to push on the lightning connector. This design relieves the wire harness from acting as ground and reduces its effect on the antenna, ensuring compliance with Apple’s RF interference standard and an optimal user experience.

Front of right side PCB

EMI spring closeup

Navigating supply chain to support no-latency audio

Amidst the COVID global chip shortage, the microcontroller previously used by Gamevice became unavailable. We had to pivot and explore alternative options that met specific requirements, including flash storage, ADC channels, and, most importantly, USB capabilities that could support the new audio feature of FLEX.

We were able to identify and move forward with a supplier who met all the criteria required to satisfy customer needs, was within budget, and could deliver within the time frame we needed. 

We fine-tuned the firmware to synchronize the smartphone’s audio stream to the microcontroller’s audio codec, delivering a no-latency, distortion-free sound experience when a headset is plugged into FLEX’s 3.5mm jack. This synchronization means there is no noticeable delay between when the audio signal is generated and when it is heard. Achieving this real-time audio transmission is critical for gaming, where even the slightest delay can disrupt the experience.

Standardizing design to optimize for manufacturing

Since Gamevice produced units with external partners, optimizing the design for efficiency and cost-effectiveness during manufacturing was critical.

We designed the iPhone and Android FLEX versions with as much hardware and software commonality as possible. From the driver code for buttons, triggers, and joysticks to the bootloader and calibration software, the similarities in the design between both systems simplify mass production and make it easier for manufacturers to perform calibration tests, leading to cost savings for Gamevice.

Results

Gamevice FLEX was released in October 2022 and made it to stores in time for the holiday season. Critics praised the controller for accommodating a variety of phones, ergonomic control design, USB-C connection handling, and no-latency audio. As iMore Gaming writer Gerald Lynch put it, “it rocks.”