Google console rumoured to be in the works

Written by David Hing

June 28, 2013 | 08:32

Tags: #android #console

Companies: #google #ouya

Google is working on an Android-powered games console according to the Wall Street Journal.

Anonymous sources close to the matter say that the search giant is developing a console in order to compete with similarly rumoured devices that Apple might be working on as part of its Apple TV product line.

The rumoured console is expected later this year, launching alongside the second version of its Nexus Q media centre and a rumoured Android-based smart-watch.

Google also is releasing the next update of Android, code-named Key Lime Pie, later this year. The company is looking to bring the operating system to a wider range of devices including laptops and even household appliances like refrigerators.

According to research from International Data Corporation (IDC), Google's open source Android mobile operating system currently powers approximately 75% of smartphones and 57% of tablets shipped in the first quarter of 2013.

As a gaming platform, Android certainly has no shortage of titles for it and the eventual success or failure of projects like the Ouya will prove whether or not there is a market for a dedicated Android console.

The $99 Ouya Android console started selling earlier this week. Being an open source platform, the console is capable of running several emulators which has been seen as many as an unofficial selling point for the device. The console maker itself also sparked controversy by tweeting out a picture of the device being used to play Super Mario Brothers accompanied by the #Freethegames hashtag.

Rumours of the Android console and Android smart-watch do suggest that Google is keeping a close eye on the Kickstarter scene, with the Pebble smart-watch being one of the most successful crowd-funded campaigns to date, raising more than $10m in funding.
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