Throughout this year I've been clamoring about how it won't be too much longer (I said in 2013 specifically) when mobile phones and tablets are playing the exact same games as their dedicated console counterparts.

The biggest attack against my predictions on this have not been around hardware power or interest, but focused on dedicated controls. I've continually said that's BS as you can already sync bluetooth controllers with Android (and I think iOS as well) and on top of that here is a few more items to PROVE once and for all that dedicated controls are not in any way an obstacle to mobile gaming matching or surpassing dedicated gaming.

1) Apple files patents for dedicated controllers.

Do I really need to say more in regards to iOS? If it isnt' painfully clear now that Apple fully intends to upgrade its gaming to the point its parallels dedicated consoles, I don't know what you need to see the truth.

2) Ouya The $99 dedicated Android console releasing in March 2013.

We've already discussed this console on VGC, so I don't think I need to go into it a whole lot. Its already receiving strong support directly from 3rd parties for pure console games as well as mobile games. Additionally, it has full Onlive support (like all iOS and Android products).

3) Onlive... streaming nearly EVERY 3rd party console game to any device. This already goes to iOS and Android, including their dedicated TV connected devices. It really is a dedicated console equivalent at its core.

4) GameKlip... portable gaming for Android at its finest.

What more is there to say? Here you have a PS3 controller synced to your Android phone for $15. I will be getting this soon. F 3DS or Vita. This is why Vita should have been a damn smartphone in the first place. (not a troll statement, I would have bought one already)

Related previous threads

Next gen will about Smart OSs and Nintendo/Sony will be Android OEMs. (updated with MS massive leak)

The Playstation Vita should just be a smartphone. Sony should pull out of handheld gaming.

Shut it. :) That will only happen in 2013 if by some freak accident consoles don't launch.

why don't they make a phone with QWERTY and a Xperia Play-like controller? , is it that hard to think of something like that?

That would be a bit hard to do and frankly not a good idea, IMO.

I think they should make a Playstation phone with Vita like controls in the Xperia Play overall configuration, but with obviously high-end specs vs XPlays low end debut.

windows 8 i think will have the biggest impact on mobile gaming.

It's pretty clear where we're headed given the trend of convergent devices. We're just still working on the technology needed to get there.

Eventually, we'll be using a single device for everything. That could be a phone, or it could be a tablet if people don't want their phones constantly being used for other stuff. What tasks our one device might not be inherently capable of will be done through the cloud. We'll use them to stream music and movies, read books, play games, write documents and so on. We can take them on the go when we need to, sit them in a cradle to use them to watch stuff and play games on a TV, plug a keyboard and mouse into them to turn them into a more fully functional PC (hello, Surface + Metro!), and more.

The all in one convergence device isn't far off at all, methinks. Ironing out the kinks (like adding controller support, proper TV connectivity, etc.) and getting enough horsepower are all that's left to be done.

Well, our iPhones can already play PS2 games, so it won't be soon before long...

Because MS is smart and not putting out a dedicated handheld. Instead they will make ALL win8 tablets/phones Xbox handhelds and simply make money through the software/Live.

I think all phones can do that by now...

yeah. I have the full NES library on my Android. I'm sure a similar emulator/roms are on iOS as well for all major classic systems.