Friday, 28 June 2013

WSJ: Google to develop Android powered videogame console

Search engine giant Google is preparing to deliver an Android based games console in a new bid to bring its operating system to living rooms.

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The sprawling software empire is allegedly building both games console for the living room and a next-gen wristwatch that can play media, according to sources speaking to the Wall Street Journal.

These projects are a pre-emptive strike against Apple, which is expected to release similar devices in the future, alleged insiders claim.

A third R&D development has also been cited. Google is allegedly preparing to release an Android-powered media-streaming device called Nexus Q (which was unveiled last year but did not make it to retail).

Google "hopes to design and market the devices itself and release at least one of them this fall", the company added.

Android, which launched in 2008, has become the first-choice operating system for numerous smart phones from the likes of HTC, Samsung and even Sony. The software's ubiquity across numerous smart devices has encouraged numerous app and software developers to create content for the platform.

Whether the same app style games would remain desirable on the home TV is a matter for debate. The Android operating system has already become the backbone of the Ouya games console, which launched across the US and UK in June.

Rumours of the Android home system come weeks after both Microsoft and Sony unveil their next-generation consoles.

The alleged insiders say that Google is working on a games console under expectation that rival Apple will launch a videogame console as part of its next Apple TV product release.

Apple and Google have declined to comment.

In 2012 Google said it was on track to generate $8 billion annually in revenue from mobile devices.

Additional reporting: Rob Crossley

Image: Flickr


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