Details regarding a new Android-powered micro-console from Asus have emerged ahead of an official announcement, even as market pioneer Ouya looks to diversify away from hardware and into platform licensing.
According to a recent filing with the US Federal Communications Commission spotted by Droid Life, Asus is in the process of finalising Bluetooth certification for an Android-powered micro-console system dubbed the Game Box. While images of the console itself are not provided, a shot of the controller is and reveals a DualShock-inspired layout which includes dual analogue sticks, an island-style directional pad, four face buttons - plus Start, Select and a central Home button - along with shoulder buttons.
Internally, the console is claimed to be based on an quad-core Nvidia Tegra 4 processor, include 2GB of RAM, 8GB of flash storage - likely upgradeable through external USB mass storage devices or SD cards of some description - and will run a customised version of Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. In short, it's a mild upgrade over the Tegra 3-based Ouya and aimed primarily at gamers who don't need the latest and greatest visuals to have fun.
Speaking of Ouya, which will be Asus' biggest rival at launch, the company is currently in the process of diversification. With sales of its micro-console proving poor, Ouya has announced plans to offer its Android gaming platform as a licensable option to competitors - starting with the Mad Catz MOJO. Although this gives the company a new revenue stream, it also removes the last unique feature of the Ouya hardware platform - something that the company may regret as the number of competing devices rises.
Asus has not commented on its plans for the Game Box.
According to a recent filing with the US Federal Communications Commission spotted by Droid Life, Asus is in the process of finalising Bluetooth certification for an Android-powered micro-console system dubbed the Game Box. While images of the console itself are not provided, a shot of the controller is and reveals a DualShock-inspired layout which includes dual analogue sticks, an island-style directional pad, four face buttons - plus Start, Select and a central Home button - along with shoulder buttons.
Internally, the console is claimed to be based on an quad-core Nvidia Tegra 4 processor, include 2GB of RAM, 8GB of flash storage - likely upgradeable through external USB mass storage devices or SD cards of some description - and will run a customised version of Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. In short, it's a mild upgrade over the Tegra 3-based Ouya and aimed primarily at gamers who don't need the latest and greatest visuals to have fun.
Speaking of Ouya, which will be Asus' biggest rival at launch, the company is currently in the process of diversification. With sales of its micro-console proving poor, Ouya has announced plans to offer its Android gaming platform as a licensable option to competitors - starting with the Mad Catz MOJO. Although this gives the company a new revenue stream, it also removes the last unique feature of the Ouya hardware platform - something that the company may regret as the number of competing devices rises.
Asus has not commented on its plans for the Game Box.
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