I like playing some of the games that are available for the P800 (especially Doom). Unfortunately many games (particularly those for GoBoy800) are more or less impossible to control.
Now it may just be that I am rubbish at games, but I think that I would be slightly less rubbish if I had some sort of an external joystick.
Does anyone have any idea how difficult this would be to do? Is it just a hardware issue or would we need OS support as well. I know it's probably far fetched, but if we could fool the P800 into thinking that the joystick is some sort of keyboard/numeric keypad I might be able to knock up some suitable hardware.
Not having a keypad is a good feature in many ways, but it limits the game control options.
What I'm really holding out for is an external steering wheel and pedals. Then all I have to do is port Grand Prix Legends... :P
What about a Gaming-Flip Cover, with a joystick like on 7650, connected with a little cable to the serial port on the bottom of the P800?
Something like this! 😃 😮 😃 😮
Amazing!!!!! :angel: !!!!!!!, congrats on your creativity (should u apply to work for SE???)
Lets hope we will see something like that soon
Great idea Rear_Admiral!!! Its quite doable too,Gaming-Flip Cover,but i've been trough this before(With memory expansions and stuff about my 7650) so dont get your hopes up to high guys.
I really wish that sometimes big companies like SE listen to their costumers.
Fantastic idea Rear Admiral!!!!
But it doesn't have to be made by SE (but it would be better for support). A 3rd party company could make it, but I think it would be hard to make the drivers....
Maybe they could make it like an external jog dial, so it could also be used for normal purpouses, besides gaming.
I think the Ericsson chatboard (earlier T-models) sends key events through plain serial interface, it might even be simple AT commands. If the P800 accepts these commands it would be pretty simple to connect a keyboard or joystick using a microcontroller. In that case, no drivers would be needed. The question is, can someone confirm if the phone accepts chatboard-commands?
[quote="jobe"]I think the Ericsson chatboard (earlier T-models) sends key events through plain serial interface, it might even be simple AT commands. If the P800 accepts these commands it would be pretty simple to connect a keyboard or joystick using a microcontroller. In that case, no drivers would be needed. The question is, can someone confirm if the phone accepts chatboard-commands?[/quote]
I'm sorry, it can't :-?
The chatboard will not work on the P800..., so we'll have to look for another solution
I too commend your creativity and that was exactly what I was looking for.
Now how can we actually get some made ... hmm I haven't thought of anything yet - drat.
Just a silly thought.
Maybe we could make some online petition and send it to some company/developer group if there is resonable number of petiton "signers".
I guess I would sign! Maybe this company that makes these could give it a try?
Might there be something about the port in the SDK? That might at least give us a clue to if it will work! It would be possible to make a "Joyflip� Me 2003" 😉 for java stuff as thats got an on screen joypad. I shall investigate...
Had a look in the UIQ SDK manual, it mentions the possibilty of an external keyboard, so a joystick should be easy. It looks like you can use the port for just about anything, including barcode scanner. the only minor drawback i can see from a JoyClip i can see is that it would have to stick up from the main body. I had a quick fiddle this is my first idea, thinking i could add buttons on each side which could also be used as confirm/answer type commands.
This is all great,what do you say we start spaming the companies that can build it with requests 😃
Here's another possibility; Instead of making a Joystick that would emerge out of the body we could built the base of the Joystick and then use it as an adaptor for the actual stick. Then we could actually use the stylus by sticking it into the adaptor/whole. Just look in the picture already posted above and imagine sticking the stylus into the black whole and then using it as the stick.
Once the game is over you just pull the Stylus out and voila. the p800 is again a PDA/phone with no portruding stuff
Interesting idea, only problem there may be is snapping under frantic gaming! Always worth trying tho. Anyone know how to find the wiring for the port?
A clip on joystick would be cheaper and easier to manufacture. If we were going to lobby a 3rd party to make one that might be the best option. Not half as pretty as the beautiful renders above though!
The suggestion of a Green "call" and red "end" key is fantastic too. I'd like that.
Imagine a P800 with joystick navigation & T9 text input.... I'd not buy another phone for a few years at least!
Well,omar,that is what i'm aiming at,unless Nokia decides to release the roumored communicator successor.There is so little that the p800 is missing to be perfect.So people lets get those e-mail clients on fire 😊
Well, which companies should we email? Who has the capabilities to make this? Let's collect some and post the email adresses here, so we can bug 'em! :P
😃
I'm up for that! Ximplify has the resources to code the software drivers required and they are always intrested in newprojects on symbian devices.
I'll get on to them once I've finished my dissertation on Thursday.
Why doesn't someone that has a good writing style write the mail,we all sign it,and we send the same mail,something like an online petition.
I like that idea, how about people post there ideas for letters and we choose the best? Or choose the best bits and make a better one?
I think i found suitable switch
http://www.smk.co.jp/whatsnew_e/646csc_e.html
Just wanted to state that you can count on my signiture on the planned petition.
tomtom21000
This has to be made now that mophun are releasing the 3d game platform for symbian!
Well,the IR PocketTop keyboard will be great for gaming but somekind of joypad will be a lot more compact.I doubt it will happen though,i was searching for a company that might be able to produce the hardware and the drivers but no candidates so far.
I'd be reasonably happy with the Pocketop IR keyboard. I want a keyboard as well as a joystick and if I had to choose, I'd go for the keyboard.
I emailed Pocketop yesterday to prompt them to produce/release a P800 version, but they haven't replied yet. Perhaps if a few other people emailed them ([email protected]) they may speed up their efforts. I did read that they are actively developing this at the moment, so fingers crossed.
the joystick looks great but how does it control the screen w/out touching it somehow!great design but how about a design with brains, ain't gonna happen this way for sure. Thumbs up though!
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The best way would be to connect thru the comm port to replicate the signals the jog wheel makes, or make it completly seperate. Either way would require drivers. Every program uses different positions for on screen controls so you coulnt make one for everything.
What about the company that makes the MS jacket?
Yes,the company that makes the MS jacket is a great candidate,but who are they and has anyone writen that famous letter?
Right, the z600 has a gamepad, it connects to the comm port, so it is possible. And with games like Cobra Attack coming ot we need it too! What if we get hold of a z600 game pad, and use that as a testbed for drivers and design? There are progammers on here, someone should be able to help! 8)
Great ideas but I have an even better one than ain't been done as far as i'm aware. A bluetooth joypad! 😃
I know it sounds sily as you can't hold both the pad & P800 but for comfort i'd say it's a winner. What i'd really like is games using the widescreen mode, maybe the P810/900 will do this. A clip-on pad that has GBA configuration would be great (anyone fancy doing a sketch?) :roll: