Rolocule's Rolomotion is designed to convert an iPhone or an iPod touch into a motion controller, similar to a Nintendo Wii Remote. The iPhone motion controller combines with games streamed over AirPlay using the Apple TV, allowing for motion-based gaming directly on a television.

The Rolomotion concept takes advantage of the iPhone's gyroscope, magnetometer and accelerometer to track movements, which are then translated on the screen.

rolomotion_3
Motion Tennis, the first game that incorporates Rolomotion, plays similarly to Wii Sports Tennis on the Wii gaming console. The iPhone is used as a tennis racket, and when swung, the character on the screen will swing as well.

According to Rolocule, Motion Tennis uses in-game optimizations to minimize mirroring lag and will also feature a multiplayer mode.


As with all products of this type, enticing developers to use the technology is a significant hurdle to overcome. Rolocule is planning on releasing additional games in the future, but there is no word on whether an SDK will be made available.

The company is planning on sending out a limited number of beta invites during the last week of April to prospective gamers who sign up on the website.

Top Rated Comments

aDRock1154 Avatar
160 months ago
This way I can break my phone AND my TV... :rolleyes:
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Koodauw Avatar
160 months ago
I just tried to call my mother from my Wii controller and couldn't get through. Perhaps you have an idea?

You're holding it wrong. ;)
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Yvan256 Avatar
160 months ago
Thats what people were saying when wii was being released. ;)

I think his point is that a Wii remote doesn't cost 300-800$.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MagnusVonMagnum Avatar
160 months ago
Digital sports games are boring. If you want to kick a ball/swing a tennis racket, go outside and actually do it.
You could say that about 90% of ALL games that don't involve killing things or people. It's not the point. You don't seem to get video games at all and probably never will if you think a Nintendo sports game has ANYTHING to do with being able to play real sports.

A line from the Matrix is apt. You think that's air you're breathing? Well, it's the same with video games. You can be great at a video game version of a sport and suck at the real thing and vise versa. The control mechanisms are very different (even with more motion on a Wii controller). Weather isn't a factor and neither is lower mobility for the most part (i.e. a person in a wheel chair can still play Wii bowling). Cost is less in most cases as well (bowling runs $3-6 a game per person at most places I've been to lately depending on the time of day).

Video games might help with hand-eye coordination, but they're mostly about indoor relaxing entertainment. Playing football on video game system isn't going to wear you out and you don't need a whole neighborhood block worth of kids to form two teams in order to play plus there's usually coach options, etc. as well to play with in the game. The list goes on and on. Yeah, go swing that tennis racket by yourself and see how much fun it is, assuming you have somewhere to play it.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rikscha Avatar
160 months ago
Aren't the Wii remotes bluetooth? I'd rather use those... not everyone has an iPod touch or iPhone. It should be an option to use an iPhone as a controller, yes - but 300$+ remotes for a 99$ :apple:TV seems a bit insane.

I just tried to call my mother from my Wii controller and couldn't get through. Perhaps you have an idea?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
alex00100 Avatar
160 months ago
This way I can break my phone AND my TV... :rolleyes:
Thats what people were saying when wii was being released. ;)
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iphone 16 pro models 1

Here's How the iPhone 17 Pro Max Will Compare to the iPhone 17 Pro

Saturday July 5, 2025 1:00 pm PDT by
Apple should unveil the iPhone 17 series in September, and there might be one bigger difference between the Pro and Pro Max models this year. As always, the Pro Max model will be larger than the Pro model:iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3-inch display iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9-inch displayGiven the Pro Max is physically larger than the Pro, it has more internal space, allowing for a larger battery and...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro to Reverse iPhone X Design Decision

Monday July 7, 2025 9:46 am PDT by
Since the iPhone X in 2017, all of Apple's highest-end iPhone models have featured either stainless steel or titanium frames, but it has now been rumored that this design decision will be coming to an end with the iPhone 17 Pro models later this year. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo today, the account Instant Digital said that the iPhone 17 Pro models will have an aluminum...
imac video apple feature

Apple Launching These 15+ Products Later This Year

Sunday July 6, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
The calendar has turned to July, meaning that 2025 is now more than half over. And while the summer months are often quiet for Apple, the company still has more than a dozen products coming later this year, according to rumors. Below, we have outlined at least 15 new Apple products that are expected to launch later this year, along with key rumored features for each. iPhone 17 Series iPho...
iOS 26 Feature

Everything New in iOS 26 Beta 3

Monday July 7, 2025 1:20 pm PDT by
Apple is continuing to refine and update iOS 26, and beta three features smaller changes than we saw in beta 2, plus further tweaks to the Liquid Glass design. Apple is gearing up for the next phase of beta testing, and the company has promised that a public beta is set to come out in July. Transparency In some apps like Apple Music, Podcasts, and the App Store, Apple has toned down the...
iPhone Car Key Kia

Here's Which Vehicles Offer iPhone Car Keys

Sunday July 6, 2025 3:03 pm PDT by
In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature is currently offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and a handful of others, and it is set to expand further. Apple has a web page with a list of vehicle models that ...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 14 New Features

Friday July 4, 2025 1:05 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are just over two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Latest Rumors These rumors surfaced in June and July:Apple logo repositioned: Apple's logo may have a lower position on the back of the iPhone 17 Pro models, compared to previous...
iphone 17 pro render majin bu

New iPhone 17 Pro Renders Highlight Apple Logo and MagSafe Design Changes

Sunday July 6, 2025 8:43 pm PDT by
New renders today provide the best look yet relocated Apple logo and redesigned MagSafe magnet array of the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Image via Majin Bu. Several of the design changes coming to the iPhone 17 Pro model have been rumored for some time, such as the elongated camera bump that spans the full width of the device, with the LiDAR Scanner and flash moving to the right side. ...
iPhone 14 Pro Dynamic Island

iPhone 17 Models Rumored to Feature Redesigned Dynamic Island

Monday July 7, 2025 7:38 am PDT by
iPhone 17 models will feature a redesigned Dynamic Island user interface, according to a post today from Digital Chat Station, an account with more than three million followers on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The account has accurately leaked some information regarding future Apple products in the past. The account did not share any specific details about the alleged changes that are ...
Prime Day 25 Feature Warm Triad

The Best Prime Day Deals on AirPods, iPads, MacBooks, and More

Monday July 7, 2025 10:55 am PDT by
Amazon is back with its annual summertime Prime Day event, lasting for four days from July 8-11, the longest Prime Day yet. As it does every year, Prime Day offers shoppers a huge selection of deals across Amazon's storefront. With the event now underway, we're tracking numerous all-time low prices on Apple gear right now. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a...