Gamevice
{{short description|Tablet and tablet peripherals manufacturer specializing in gaming products}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Gamevice, Inc.
| location = Suite 200, 685 Cochran Street, Simi Valley, California, U.S.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/profiles/companies/1513513D:US-gamevice-inc|title=Gamevice Inc: Company Profile - Bloomberg|website=Bloomberg|language=en|access-date=2018-07-18}}
| founders = Matthew Joynes
James Bower
Brendan Iribe
| website = [https://gamevice.com gamevice.com]
}}
Gamevice, Inc.{{Cite web|url=http://www.kotaku.co.uk/2017/09/07/nintendos-long-history-of-beating-patent-lawsuits|title=Nintendo's Long History of Beating Patent Lawsuits|website=Kotaku UK|language=en|access-date=2018-07-01}} (formerly Wikipad, Inc.){{Cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=208358402|title=Wikipad, Inc.: Private Company Information - Bloomberg|website=www.bloomberg.com|access-date=2018-07-18}} is a Simi Valley, California-based tablet and tablet peripherals manufacturer specializing in gaming products.
The debut product was the Wikipad, a proprietary Android tablet hardware engineered for mobile gaming, which featured a detachable controller. Gamevice later came to market with a peripheral-only product, rebranded under the name, Gamevice.{{Cite web|url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/100983/no-joy-con-for-gamevice-as-it-files-patent-suit-against-nintendo-over-switch-controller|title=No Joy-Con for Gamevice as it Files Patent Suit Against Nintendo Over Switch Controller|website=Shacknews|date=15 August 2017 |language=en|access-date=2018-07-18}}
The company was founded by Matthew Joynes, James Bower, and Brendan Iribe. The current CEO is Phillip Hyun.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cgmagonline.com/2018/02/15/minecraft-gamevice-bundle-available-now/|title=Minecraft Gamevice Bundle Available Now|date=2018-02-15|website=CGMagazine|language=en-CA|access-date=2019-01-05}}
History
= Wikipad =
{{Infobox information appliance
| title = Wikipad
| logo = Wikipad logo.svg
| logo_size = 100px
| image = Wikipad 01.jpg
| caption = The first model of Wikipad tablet with game controller attached
| developer = Wikipad, Inc. (now Gamevice, Inc.)
| family =
| type = Tablet
| generation =
| releasedate = {{Start date|2013|06|11}}
| lifespan =
| price = US$249
| discontinued =
| cpu =
| GPU =
| media =
| os =
| storage =
| display =
| connectivity = Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, HDMI output, Bluetooth 4.0{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/2/7/3963056/wikipad-survives-reincarnated-as-7-inch-gaming-tablet-for-249-99|title=Wikipad survives, reincarnated as 7-inch gaming tablet for $249.99|last=Hollister|first=Sean|date=2013-02-07|website=The Verge|access-date=2018-12-15}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.tomshardware.com/news/Wikipad-Nexus-7-Production-Android-Gaming-Tegra-3,21870.html|title=Wikipad Gaming Tablet Now in Production|date=2013-04-05|website=Tom's Hardware|language=en|access-date=2018-12-15}}
| controllers = Detachable
| onlineservice = Google Play, PlayStation Mobile, Tegra Zone{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/wikipad-price-down-from-250-to-200-do-you-want-one/1100-6418334/|title=Wikipad price down from $250 to $200 — Do you want one?|last=Maiberg|first=Emanuel|date=2014-03-15|website=GameSpot|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-15}}
| topgame =
| related =
| website = [http://www.wikipad.com wikipad.com]
| predecessor =
| successor =
}}
At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas on January 10, 2012, the Wikipad was shown with both a 2D and a glasses-free 3D-enabled device.{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2012/01/10/wikipad-ties-up-glasses-free-3d-with-games-controls-all-in-a-ha/|title=WikiPad ties up glasses-free 3D with game controls, all in a happy Android ICS package|access-date=7 May 2018}} In May 2012, Gaikai, a cloud gaming service which Sony acquired two months later in July 2012, partnered with Wikipad, Inc. to integrate its streaming service into the tablet.{{cite web|author=Tweet |url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2012-05-02-gaikai-partners-with-cloud-gaming-tablet |title=Gaikai partners with Wikipad tablet | GamesIndustry International |publisher=Gamesindustry.biz |date=2012-05-02 |access-date=2012-09-18}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.sacbee.com/2012/07/01/4604219/sony-computer-entertainment-to.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703201844/http://www.sacbee.com/2012/07/01/4604219/sony-computer-entertainment-to.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-07-03|title=Sony Computer Entertainment to Acquire Gaikai Inc., a Leading Interactive Cloud Gaming Company - PR Newswire - The Sacramento Bee|date=2012-07-03|website=Sacbee|access-date=2018-12-15}}
The Wikipad was originally scheduled for an October 31, 2011 release, but was delayed indefinitely on the day it was originally supposed to be released.{{Cite news|url=https://www.slashgear.com/wikipad-hit-with-a-delay-on-launch-day-31255107/|title=Wikipad hit with a delay on launch day|date=2012-11-01|work=SlashGear|access-date=2018-09-15|language=en-US}} The Wikipad was released on June 11, 2013, in the United States with a price tag of $249.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/6/4/4393236/wikipad-release-date-june-11th-249-dollar-price|title=Wikipad finally arrives, gaming tablet goes on sale June 11th for $249.99|work=The Verge|access-date=2018-09-15}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.slashgear.com/wikipad-gaming-tablet-resurrected-arriving-june-11-in-the-us-04284922/|title=Wikipad gaming tablet resurrected, arriving June 11 in the US|date=2013-06-04|work=SlashGear|access-date=2018-09-15|language=en-US}}
In March 2014, a game control mapping tool was announced for the Wikipad to help map touchscreen game controls to the physical Wikipad controller in an effort to improve gameplay.{{cite web|url=http://www.androidcentral.com/wikipad-drops-199-us-adds-game-control-mapping-tool|title=Wikipad drops to $199 in the U.S., adds game control mapping tool|date=14 March 2014 |publisher=Android Central|access-date=2014-07-25}} Also in March, the price of the Wikipad dropped to $199. In June 2014, OnLive cloud gaming support was added to the Wikipad.{{Cite news|url=https://www.slashgear.com/wikipad-adds-onlive-to-gaming-tablet-and-gamevice-controller-17333918/|title=Wikipad adds OnLive to gaming tablet and Gamevice controller|date=2014-06-17|work=SlashGear|access-date=2018-09-15|language=en-US}}
== Reception ==
Eurogamer rated the Wikipad's screen size and intentions as nice, saying it had "its heart in the right place", but decided that the lack of compelling Android games, high launch price, and outdated specs and software limited the appeal of the device.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-wikipad-review|title=Wikipad review •|last=McFerran|first=Damien|date=2013-09-15|publisher=Eurogamer.net|access-date=2014-07-25}}
IGN gave the Wikipad poor reviews taking into consideration the lack of games in its library, flimsy construction, and software that was considered dated, even at the time of the device's release. It concludes that "The Wikipad is a mostly failed attempt at turning an Android tablet into a gaming handheld."{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/09/04/wikipad-gaming-tablet-review|title=Wikipad Gaming Tablet Review|last=Clark|first=Matt|date=4 September 2013|access-date=7 May 2018}}
= Gamevice =
In January 2014, Wikipad, Inc. announced a new controller called Gamevice to expand its mobile device coverage.{{cite web|author=Robert Nelson |url=http://www.slashgear.com/wikipad-gamevice-controller-teased-for-android-and-windows-8-03310883/ |title=Wikipad Gamevice controller teased for Android and Windows 8 |date=3 January 2014 |publisher=SlashGear |access-date=2014-07-25}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.polygon.com/2014/1/3/5269804/wikipad-gamevice-detachable-mobile-controller|title=Wikipad announces detachable mobile controller, Gamevice|work=Polygon|access-date=2018-09-15}} The industrial design for the Gamevice controller was developed by RKS Design.{{Cite web |date=2013-06-27 |title=Wikipad: RKS Designs Tablet That Leads a Double Life |url=https://www.dexigner.com/news/26646 |access-date=2025-03-06 |website=www.dexigner.com |language=en}} Gamevice is a detachable controller with a classic D-pad; twin triggers; A, B, X, and Y buttons; and dual analog sticks.{{Cite book|title=Geeky Gamer: June Edition|last=Gyko Games}}
On January 31, 2017, a new Gamevice controller was released for the iPhone 7.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2017/1/24/14371412/gamevice-for-iphone-7-headphone-jack-controller|title=The Gamevice is an iPhone 7 controller that brings back the headphone jack|work=The Verge|access-date=2018-09-15}} On February 15, 2018, Gamevice announced and launched a Minecraft-themed controller bundle, which includes a Gamevice controller, a carrying case for the controller and a download code for Minecraft on iOS.{{Cite news|url=https://www.macrumors.com/2018/02/15/minecraft-gamevice-bundle/|title=Gamevice Launches Special Minecraft Gaming Controller Bundle|access-date=2018-10-21|language=en}}
Legal issues
In August 2017, Gamevice filed a lawsuit against Nintendo in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, alleging that the design of the Nintendo Switch conflicts with its patent on the design for the Wikipad.{{Cite web |last=Graham |first=Luke |date=2017-08-11 |title=Nintendo is getting sued over the design of its detachable Switch console controllers |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/11/gamevice-sues-nintendo-over-switch-controller-design.html |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=CNBC |language=en}} The lawsuit sought damages on existing Switch sales and banning further sales of the console.{{Cite news|url=https://www.engadget.com/2017/08/11/nintendo-faces-lawsuit-over-switch-controllers/?sr_source=Twitter|title=Nintendo faces lawsuit over the Switch's detachable controllers|work=Engadget|access-date=2018-05-26|language=en-US}} The lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed by Gamevice in October 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://insight.rpxcorp.com/lit/cacdce-686108-gamevice-v-nintendo|title=Gamevice, Inc. v. Nintendo Co., Ltd. et al|website=insight.rpxcorp.com|access-date=2018-05-26}}
However, in March 2018, Gamevice initiated a second patent infringement lawsuit on Nintendo related to a different set of patents. Gamevice also sought action through the United States International Trade Commission related to patent infringement under Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, and was seeking to block imports of the Switch into the United States.{{Cite news|url=https://www.engadget.com/2018/05/01/nintendo-switch-wikipad-gamevice-import-investigation-patent/|title=Nintendo faces Switch patent infringement investigation in the US|work=Engadget|access-date=2018-05-26|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/5/6/17324594/nintendo-switch-sued-patent-infringement-gamevice|title=Nintendo sued by peripheral maker alleging Switch design infringes patents|work=Polygon|access-date=2018-05-26}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2018/er0501ll939.htm|title=USITC Institutes Section 337 Investigation of Certain Portable Gaming Console Systems with Attachable Handheld Controllers and Components Thereof {{!}} USITC|website=www.usitc.gov|language=en|access-date=2018-09-01}}
On October 10, 2019, the lawsuit against Nintendo ended, with the U.S. International Trade Commission affirming the conclusion of the presiding administrative law judge's initial determination that no violation of Section 337 had occurred.{{Cite web|url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/10/10/2019-22172/certain-portable-gaming-console-systems-with-attachable-handheld-controllers-and-components-thereof|title=Certain Portable Gaming Console Systems With Attachable Handheld Controllers and Components Thereof; Notice of a Commission Determination Finding No Violation of Section 337; Termination of the Investigation|website=US Federal Register|access-date=October 14, 2019}}
On March 27, 2020, Gamevice filed a new patent-infringement lawsuit at the USITC against Nintendo in addition to appealing the previous case that it lost.{{Cite news |date=2020-03-31 |title=Gamevice Tries Again to Block U.S. Imports of Nintendo Switch |url=https://news.bloombergtax.com/international-trade/gamevice-tries-again-to-block-u-s-imports-of-nintendo-switch |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250121192103/https://news.bloombergtax.com/international-trade/gamevice-tries-again-to-block-u-s-imports-of-nintendo-switch |archive-date=2025-01-21 |access-date=2025-03-06 |language=en}} The lawsuit ended in favor of Nintendo.{{Cite web |last=Lyles |first=Taylor |date=2020-03-13 |title=Nintendo wins patent fight against company that sued over Switch design |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/13/21177309/nintendo-switch-patent-gamevice-win |access-date=2025-03-06 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}}