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Google developing Android-based gaming console - Wall Street Journal

excaliburps

Press - MP1st.com
Google entering the console gaming fray?

EDIT: Google "expecting" Apple to unveil a console of its own? Holy balls if true! From the same report:

The people briefed on the matter said Google is reacting in part to expectations that rival Apple will launch a videogame console as part of its next Apple TV product release.
From the Wall Street Journal: (thanks, Wario!)

Google Inc. is developing a videogame console and digital wrist watch powered by its Android operating system, according to people familiar with the matter, as the Internet company seeks to spread the software’s domination beyond smartphones and tablets and cement build the company ‘s reputation as a hardware maker.

With the watch and game console, Google is hoping to combat similar devices that Apple Inc. may release in the future, according to the people familiar with the matter.

Google is also preparing to release a second version of a Web-connected, Android-powered media-playing device, called Nexus Q, that was unveiled last year but not sold to the public, these people said.

The Internet giant hopes to design and market the devices itself and release at least one of them this fall, they added.

A Google spokeswoman declined to comment.

The hardware plans are the latest sign of Google’s determination to build on the success of Android, the software it launched in 2008 that powered 75% of all smartphones and 56.5% of tablets shipped globally in the first quarter, according to the research firm IDC.

Games that run on Android software have proved particularly popular, and they are growing much more quickly than games made for the big-name consoles supplied by Microsoft Corp., Sony Corp. and Nintendo Co. The appeal of such games has prompted the development of new devices aimed specifically for Android by other hardware companies.

The people briefed on the matter said Google is reacting in part to expectations that rival Apple will launch a videogame console as part of its next Apple TV product release.

An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment.

Google has also been watching the efforts of Ouya Inc., a startup that this week began selling a $99 Android-based console and game controller, one of these people said.

Lock and mock if old, gents.
 
I love Google and all, but it's amazing how many missteps this company gets away with.

Ouya 2 seems like an obvious mistake to me. Apple TV 2 won't do it either. They're missing something fundamental.
 

RM8

Member
The worst part about these Android consoles is that somehow, the focus is never on the games. No new games, no exclusives - nope, just a way to play phone games on a TV.
 

Guevara

Member
The people briefed on the matter said Google is reacting in part to expectations that rival Apple will launch a videogame console as part of its next Apple TV product release.

An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment.

Google has also been watching the efforts of Ouya Inc., a startup that this week began selling a $99 Android-based console and game controller, one of these people said.
huh
 

eorl

Banned
People seem to be forgetting that this is Google. Far different from Ouya which had to garner support from Kickstarter in-order to even launch. This could be a hit or miss, depending on what they are planning to do. If its priced right I may even grab one for streaming/server purposes.
 
I don't buy this, unless it's a value add to their Apple TV fighter vs a proper entry into gaming console war.

It will go the way of the OUYA.

Isn't Ouya selling out everywhere with some cool games like Chronoblade and Towerfall?

I wasn't aware it was a failure yet.

Am I the only one who doesnt understand this android console gaming phenomenon?

Cheap way to play indie games on your TV. Think PSN or XBLA for $99. I kinda get it, but am not sold.
 

Busty

Banned
I bet Google are partnering with Samsung on this and if so suddenly this proposition takes on a whole new dimension.
 

Korezo

Member
Android? They better off making there on OS and getting new games. Android games are terrible. Ouya, Nvidia Shield, now this? How many consoles that do the same thing are needed? Android should announce they making a android console now.
 

DieH@rd

Banned
This could be good... Especially if they dont use basic smartphone/tablet ARM SoC, but create custom SoC that is really high powered. Dont be cheap Google, create SoC that pulls too much power for tablets, take advantage from the power cord that is attached to the wall outlet. As the time goes by, phones and tablets will catch up to it with their HW.

~ Octacore Snapdragon 800, highly clocked GPU and 4GB of DDR3.
 

0xCA2

Member
The worst part about these Android consoles is that somehow, the focus is never on the games. No new games, no exclusives - nope, just a way to play phone games on a TV.

This isn't exactly true. The original idea of (pitch for) the Ouya was that it'd be an open, affordable game console. It would inadvertently use Android because that'd make it easy to port existing games to, but eventually, it was hoped that developers would create games specifically for Ouya. Now that the reality turned out to be "phone games on a TV", it's easy to forget that that wasn't the original vision.

OT: I think a Google console could be great. I love Android and they seem to have the resources to make it work.
 

panda21

Member
i saw a place selling Ouya bundles today. the signs were hidden in a dark corner and without any actual consoles out. i think they had a gamestick or whatever that thing is called too.

they appeared to be using recycled old signs with Ouya stuff stuck over them because they all had a nintendo ds logo at the bottom...
 

Loxley

Member
This reads to me more like Google are exploring the idea of releasing an android-based console. So sure, they're developing potential prototypes and experimenting and such, but there's no guarantees that this thing will ever see the light of day.
 

udivision

Member
I don't understand. Between this, the Shield and the Ouya to name a few, it's like companies have seen the success of smart phones and decided to make game consoles.
 

Card Boy

Banned
OUYAs main problem is the weak hardware (Using Tegra 3, instead of 4/1 gig RAM instead of 2) and lack of the bigger Android heavier hitters like EA (Fifa, Popcap, Mass Effect, NFS, Sims, Real racing etc) and Gameloft (No CoD, Halo, Diablo, GTA, Zelda, WoW, Need for Speed, Fifa clones)

If Google can get the good afordable hardware and get the better software support then they would far succeed the OUYA.
 

GodofWine

Member
I always kinda wanted Sony and Google to get into bed together and make a console jointly...seemed like the best way to go after all their main rivals...maybe one day.
 
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