Accessory turns smartphones into hand-held gaming devices

The world of gaming is changing. As consoles branch out as entertainment systems and smartphone technology allows gamers to harness improved graphics, the challenge becomes to bridge the gap between the two worlds.

One start-up has found a simple solution of sorts, believing that the only big thing that separates the two is where you place your hands.

Phonejoy is a new accessory that turns smartphones into hand-held gaming devices. It's a portable controller that attaches to phones, allowing gamers to marry the usability of a traditional console set-up with the increasing technology of their mobile devices.

The device was initially developed in 2011 by Martin Kessler and Alexander Moroz, two expats who were living in Guangzhou. As avid gamers, they were impressed by the possibilities of the smartphone, but disappointed by its touch-only controls.

"We were seeing all these amazing 3-D games coming to mobiles, games that were more powerful than many on traditional portable consoles. There had only been the problem of having proper controls," Kessler says.

"Touch controls have never really worked for console games, as they do not provide users with the accuracy and tactile feedback needed when playing demanding, fast-paced games."