Testing iCade software on my Xbox bartop

[degenatrons]

I've been working on iCade  support for the KADE encoder and have it working and just about ready for beta testing,  but this wasn't without a few challenges! 

The iCADE software that runs on an iPad is a little funny.  It doesn't except keyboard input in a regular way and the iPad itself doesn't even come with USB ports!  Now,  i'm not the biggest Apple fan,  but my kids have got iPad/iPod and everytime I look at these things i'm thinking that I gotta make it work with KADE.  I'm sick of that Candy Crush craap and Temple Run!  It's time for some proper games!

If you're in the slightest bit interested in the workings of iCade then you can read up on the cranky interface at: http://www.ionaudio.com/downloads/ION%20Arcade%20Dev%20Resou rce%20v1.5.pdf

The iCade interface is designed to run over Bluetooth,  but we found that it can also work over USB - via a camera adapter kit.  The camera kit is designed to transfer photos from your digital camera to/from the iPad.  It comes with SD/MMC etc support and also has a USB plug.  Turns out that the USB can take input from a regular USB keyboard.  The iCade interface uses USB keyboard input (non-standard) so we can make this work



I bought my camera kit on ebay
          [url=http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-IN-1-CAMERA-CONNECTION-KIT-CARD-]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-IN-1-CAMERA-CONNECTION-KIT-CARD- READER-FOR-IPAD-2-3-SD-TF-USB-ADAPTOR-/170887360524[/url]


I made a firmware for KADE which will make the iPad think that your arcade controls are an iCade.  We won't need the iCade hardware.  Instead we can connect our own stuff!



The iPad whinges when the USB adaptor is connected -- it states that the connected USB device is not supported,  but it seems to work perfectly (after dismissing the messages) when KADE is connected to the camera connection kit.

For testing,  I had the idea to mount the iPad on my existing Xbox Bartop,  so I can make use of the controls.  I made a mount for the iPad out of 12mm MDF.  This piece is 450mm x 308mm with a hole cut out for the iPad and for the connected camera/USB adapter.



Here's my Xbox bartop before fitting the iPad mount.


Here it is with the mount:


and with the iPad connected:


Tested and working well.
It's cool being able to plug in and play iCade games on the iPad using proper arcade controls  
The mount was super easy to make too!  If anyone wants more info about making one then just let me know and I can provide more details/plans etc.

Sharpfork found a great shmup called BSquadron and this is what we are using for our play testing   Looks to be a great game.
http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=43187

I'll paint the bezel and maybe add some artwork to the sides.

[sabreerbasAlpha]

I've got to say it. I love it. Unique and I've never seen that before anywhere?. Nice job..

[sharpfork]

Gridlee/MAME4iOS works great.  Gunbird runs smooth on my non-jailbroken iPad2.

[Generic Eric]

This seems very cool. How do Can you incorporate charging into this?  Thanks

[sharpfork]

This seems very cool. How do Can you incorporate charging into this?  Thanks

I have an idea for that.  Thanks for the suggestion.