SteelSeries 'Stratus' Wireless Gaming Controller Now Available for Pre-Order

Following the release of the Logitech Powershell and MOGA Ace Power, gaming peripheral company SteelSeries today announced its Stratus iOS 7 gaming controller. Unlike the other two controllers, the Stratus is a completely wireless accessory that connects through Bluetooth instead of using the Lightning port on an iOS device.

steelseries_stratus2
Featuring console-style controls such as a directional pad, two analog sticks and four pressure sensitive face buttons, the Stratus' Bluetooth capabilities allows connectivity for up to four controllers. The device also includes a protective cover that doubles as an extended grip.

Our sister site TouchArcade had the opportunity to spend some extended time with the SteelSeries Stratus, and has provided a detailed review outlining the strengths and weaknesses of the controller. While the device was given high marks for being useable with any iOS 7 device and an impressive battery life of over ten hours, criticisms centered around the high price tag and the comfort issues that the controller's small design creates. Despite those criticisms, TouchArcade stated that the SteelSeries Stratus is “without a doubt the best controller out there.“

Another positive aspect of the SteelSeries Stratus was its ability to work well with Apple's Lighting Digital AV Adapter while gaming:

Also, obviously, this begins to open the door to the strange new world that is treating your iPhone like a portable game console hooked up to your TV. You could technically do this with the Moga Ace Power and Logitech Powershell, but it required beaming your video output via AirPlay, which arguably is the least ideal of all possible solutions given the significant amounts of nearly unplayable lag AirPlay introduces. Wiring your iPhone or iPad direct to your TV via the Lightning Digital AV Adapter significantly mitigates this.


Currently, games such as Dead Trigger 2, Asphalt 8: Airborne, and Bastion offer controller support, with additional developers pledging to build controller support into their apps now that the hardware is available to consumers.

The SteelSeries Stratus sells for $99.99 and is available now for pre-orders.

Popular Stories

iPhone SE 4 Thumb 1

iPhone SE 4 With Apple's Own 5G Modem 'Confirmed' to Launch in March

Tuesday November 19, 2024 12:12 pm PST by
Barclays analyst Tom O'Malley and his colleagues recently traveled to Asia to meet with various electronics manufacturers and suppliers. In a research note this week, outlining key takeaways from the trip, the analysts said they have "confirmed" that a fourth-generation iPhone SE with an Apple-designed 5G modem is slated to launch towards the end of the first quarter next year. In line with previo...
airtag purple

AirTag 2 Rumored to Launch Next Year With These New Features

Sunday November 17, 2024 5:18 am PST by
Apple released the AirTag in April 2021, so it is now three over and a half years old. While the AirTag has not received any hardware updates since then, a new version of the item tracking accessory is rumored to be in development. Below, we recap rumors about a second-generation AirTag. Timing Apple is aiming to release a new AirTag in mid-2025, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman....
at t turbo indicator iphone 16 pro max v0 8hrh7w5f3w1e1

AT&T Turbo Indicator Showing Up in iPhone Status Bar for Subscribers

Wednesday November 20, 2024 3:42 am PST by
AT&T has begun displaying "Turbo" in the iPhone carrier label for customers subscribed to its premium network prioritization service, according to reports on Reddit. The new indicator seems to have started appearing after users updated to iOS 18.1.1, but that could be just coincidence. Image credit: Reddit user No_Highlight7476 The Turbo feature provides enhanced network performance through ...
Generic iOS 18 Feature Real Mock

Apple Releases iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 With Security Fixes

Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:10 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1, minor updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating systems that debuted earlier in September. iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 come three weeks after the launch of iOS 18.1. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Apple has also released iOS 17.7.2 for...
Magic Mouse Next to Keyboard

No, Apple CEO Tim Cook Didn't Say He Prefers Logitech's MX Master 3 Over the Magic Mouse

Sunday November 17, 2024 3:03 pm PST by
While the Logitech MX Master 3 is a terrific mouse for the Mac, reports claiming that Apple CEO Tim Cook prefers that mouse over the Magic Mouse are false. The Wall Street Journal last month published an interview with Cook, in which he said he uses every Apple product every day. Soon after, The Verge's Wes Davis attempted to replicate using every Apple product in a single day. During that...
iPhone 17 Slim Feature Single Camera 1 Redux

'iPhone 17 Air' Rumored to Surpass iPhone 6 as Thinnest iPhone Ever

Monday November 18, 2024 1:07 pm PST by
In a research note with Hong Kong-based investment bank Haitong today, obtained by MacRumors, Apple analyst Jeff Pu said he agrees with a recent rumor claiming that the so-called "iPhone 17 Air" will be around 6mm thick. "We agreed with the recent chatter of an 6mm thickness ultra-slim design of the iPhone 17 Slim model," he wrote. If that measurement proves to be accurate, there would be ...
bug security vulnerability issue fix larry

Make Sure to Update: iOS 18.1.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 Fix Actively Exploited Vulnerabilities

Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:52 am PST by
The iOS 18.1.1, iPadOS 18.1.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 updates that Apple released today address JavaScriptCore and WebKit vulnerabilities that Apple says have been actively exploited on some devices. With the JavaScriptCore vulnerability, processing maliciously crafted web content could lead to arbitrary code execution. The WebKit vulnerability had the same issue with maliciously crafted...
apple card feature2

Apple Card 3% Daily Cash Back Now Available From Two More Apple Partners

Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:36 am PST by
Apple has partnered with select merchants to offer Apple Card users three percent Daily Cash back on their purchases, and two new companies were added to the partner list today. When purchasing goods and services from Booking.com and ChargePoint, Apple Card users will now get more cash back. Booking.com is a site for reserving flights, cars, cruises, and hotels, while ChargePoint sells...

Top Rated Comments

tbayrgs Avatar
142 months ago
Yes Yes and No!!!!!!!

Yes this is exactly what the iOS controller should be and yes to Steel Series! Big No on the price. I somehow think they will have to revise that for any kind of sales though. Its blatant that they are taking advantage here.

Just noted that there isn't any shoulder buttons!!!! Arrrrrghhhh! It looked too good to be true!
Am I the only one surprised that there's no shoulder triggers?

Also, I'd like an option to hook up my iPhone to it... You need two hands to hold the controller, then an extra one to hold the iPhone...
No shoulder buttons and price kills it for me unfortunately.
Are all of you seriously that lazy?

It has 4 shoulder mounted buttons. Here's a revolutionary thought---check out their website (http://steelseries.com/products/controllers/steelseries-stratus-wireless-gaming-controller#section-stratus-wireless) and spend a few seconds looking at the specs. Jeez...
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Modano Avatar
142 months ago
Maybe Apple and their users will take gaming seriously one day. Nope.

Like building in support for a game controller?

----------

The article says it's available for pre-order but I can't find the link to do that on the site. Anyone see it?

I can't wait for this. I travel a lot and would definitely get $99 of value out of this. I'm sure the price will drop over time and the number of supported games is growing pretty quickly, considering that the controllers have only existed for, what, four weeks now?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Elbon Avatar
142 months ago
When will companies understand nobody wants wireless game controllers for their iPhones and iPads.

I want a wireless game controller for my iPad. On-screen controls are a pain.

----------

App's on an iOS ATV or type media device included, or evolved from an Apple TV set, is a 'When', rather than as 'If'.

I used to think so, but I have been waiting for this since the first-gen ATV (2007) and it still hasn't happened.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tevion5 Avatar
142 months ago
They have a macbook runnin IOS 7?
Worst advertising ever...

Don't know about you, but I've never seen a MacBook with the apple logo on its side...
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
buzzardo Avatar
142 months ago
Does it work with osx Mavericks too?

edit: so, according to their website its ios7 only. No osx mentioned. That seems stupid.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CplBadboy Avatar
142 months ago
Yes Yes and No!!!!!!!

Yes this is exactly what the iOS controller should be and yes to Steel Series! Big No on the price. I somehow think they will have to revise that for any kind of sales though. Its blatant that they are taking advantage here.

Just noted that there isn't any shoulder buttons!!!! Arrrrrghhhh! It looked too good to be true!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)