There have been many attempts at bringing classic gaming to smartphones, but they all lack the most visceral part of the experience: the satisfying ka-chunk of plugging a cartridge into your console. You might get that vibe back if Japanese startup Beatrobo has its way. It's launching the Pico Cassette, a game cartridge that you plug into your phone's headphone jack. Unlike the vintage carts of yore, though, these don't actually hold games -- instead, they transmit an inaudible tone that unlocks content you've downloaded. No, it's not just a nostalgic approach to anti-piracy measures. The technology also enables saved games that sync across multiple devices, so the cartridge will feel more like your unique copy than a mere dongle.
Right now, Pico Cassettes only exist as technology demos. Beatrobo says it's already talking to content partners, though, and hopes to get its cartridges off the ground through a crowdfunding effort. It's hard to imagine this format becoming hugely popular, even if big-name studios sign up -- many smartphone gamers grew up without touching a cartridge-based console, so the throwback would be lost on them. All the same, it's a clever concept that could bring back a lot of pleasant memories.
Source :Engadget
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