Yes, it is a game controller that can be used with your phone. It would most likely solve many of the control problems that I rant about every week in mobile gaming. But do you want to carry around a controller with your mobile phone? 

Looking like a cross between the Nintendo Nunchuk and a portable electric shaver, the patented Zeemote JS1 wireless controller enables near-console game play on mobile phones. It's an interesting addition to the mobile gaming market and I can't believe it took this long for someone to manage it.

Measuring a snug 95x35x20mm/3.7x1.4x0.8in and weighing only 47g/1.7oz (including batteries), the Zeemote JS1 controller sits perfectly in the hand and is ergonomically designed for optimised comfort. With a thumbstick and four assignable trigger buttons, the JS1 controller offers real analogue control enabling users to truly engage with mobile games. Well I don't know about the perfectly but it does look ergonomically terrific (Mega-lo-maniac -Game History Guido)!

Recognising the large market potential, major game developers and publishers including Eidos, Finblade, Fishlabs and SEGA of America, Inc., have already adapted popular games such as Lara Croft Tomb Raider, Helistrike 3D and Sonic The Hedgehog to utilize the new technology. Finblade has even created Fireworks, the first 2-player game specifically designed for use with Zeemote JS1 controllers.

Founded in 2005, Zeemote recently closed a $7million B-round of funding which means that the venture capitalists think it's a viable idea. I think it is too and have contacted them about getting a demo model to test so I can tell you what I think about it.

The Zeemote JS1 has been selected as one of two finalists in the True Mobile Start-up category in the 2008 GSMA Mobile Innovation Global Awards, sponsored by Ericsson. Hopefully that means the games and controller will be compatible with the Sony Ericsson phone that I am using. I will keep you posted about the status of this unit and its availability in the future. At this time there is no set release date.

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