Rumor | Sony patents a version of a DualShock controller for smartphones

Sony's own-brand controllers for its PlayStation consoles might be among the best-known and most often-used in the industry. Now, there is a hint that the Japanese gaming giant might be considering a new and quite unusual variant for release soon.

This, according to a new patent allegedly dug up by VideoGamesChronicle, describes what may effectively be Sony's answer to accessories such as Razer's Kishi. It may act as a normal controller, except that it is clearly capable of extending outwards until it can fit around a smartphone lengthways.

The overall effect, therefore, is of a stretched-out DualShock 4 with a (presumably up-to-Xperia 1 III-sized) touchscreen in the middle. Accordingly, its layout matches this controller closely, familiar diamond of shape-buttons included.

It is not clear why Sony may intend to get into this market now, especially as many wireless controllers (DualSense-series models included) can work with smartphones. It might suggest that the OEM intends to get more into cloud or mobile gaming, or more simply wants to give gamers an option of a more Nintendo Switch-style interface in the future.

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