Sorry Ouya, looks like Google is building an Android gaming console

According to the WSJ, Google is actively developing an Android-based gaming console and a smartwatch, both of which could potentially launch this year.

The move would be huge expansion for Android, which has remained primarily on smartphones and tablets.

Additionally, the sources claim Google is building a second version of its failed media-streaming orb, the Nexus Q.

As of the last month, Android is now on 75 percent on all smartphones and 57 percent of tablets, beating out rival Apple handily.

If the gaming console comes to fruition, it would likely put the kibosh on Ouya and other cheap Android-based consoles that have recently reached the market.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 27 Jun 2013 20:14

Jemborg

Quote:If the gaming console comes to fruition, it would likely put the kibosh on Ouya... Do I detect a note of smugness Andre?

...We can expect those companies that invested $15 mill in OUYA to meekly withdraw their money then?

("A note of smugness" would be an understatement.)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Its a lot easier being righteous than right.

27.6.2013 23:06 #1

Burnasty

judging by the reviews, ouya took itself out of the running.

Buy the ticket, take the ride. -H.S.T.

28.6.2013 01:27 #2

Jemborg

Originally posted by Burnasty: judging by the reviews, ouya took itself out of the running. When reports of mass returning from the first day sell-out come to fruition let me know.

The "reviews" fail to take several important factors into account not the least of which is price and the development kit being free.

It depends on who you ask. Many people like it ...about half from what I can tell from the comments section on KickStarter. I tend to be ambivalent myself at this moment. Mine just arrived ...minus the second controller I bought. :(

An auto-reply says they're are sending extra controllers separately in a lot of cases. The OUYA's engraved which I didn't expect. No way is it's controller as bad as some have stated. It felt a bit strange at first but I'm rapidly getting used to it.

Its a lot easier being righteous than right.

1.7.2013 02:16 #3

Jemborg

Originally posted by Burnasty: judging by the reviews, ouya took itself out of the running. When reports of mass returning from the first day sell-out come to fruition let me know.

The "reviews" fail to take several important factors into account not the least of which is price and the development kit being free.

It depends on who you ask. Many people like it ...at least half from what I can tell from the comments section on KickStarter. I tend to be ambivalent myself at this moment because of it's lateness. Mine just arrived ...minus the second controller I ordered. :(

(An auto-reply says they're are sending extra controllers separately in a lot of cases. They really cocked up the deliveries.)

The OUYA's engraved which I didn't expect at my tier. No way is it's controller as bad as some have stated. It felt a bit strange at first but I'm rapidly getting used to it. The UI is only lacking in features at this time not laggy at all.

EDIT: Everybody I've physically shown it to likes it quite a lot including mobile app programmers.

Its a lot easier being righteous than right.

1.7.2013 02:24 #4

Jemborg

Originally posted by Burnasty: judging by the reviews, ouya took itself out of the running. When reports of mass returning from the first day sell-out come to fruition let me know.

The "reviews" fail to take several important factors into account not the least of which is price and the development kit being free.

It depends on who you ask. Many people like it ...at least half from what I can tell from the comments section on KickStarter. I tend to be ambivalent myself at this moment because of it's lateness. Mine just arrived ...minus the second controller I ordered. :(

(An auto-reply says they're are sending extra controllers separately in a lot of cases. They really cocked up the deliveries.)

The OUYA's engraved which I didn't expect at my tier. No way is it's controller as bad as some have stated. It felt a bit strange at first but I'm rapidly getting used to it. The UI is only lacking in features at this time not laggy at all.

EDIT: Everybody I've physically shown it to likes it quite a lot including mobile app programmers.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Its a lot easier being righteous than right.

1.7.2013 02:24 #5

Jemborg

Originally posted by Burnasty: judging by the reviews, ouya took itself out of the running. When reports of mass returnings from the first day sell-out come to fruition let me know.

The "reviews" fail to take several important factors into account not the least of which is price and the development kit being free.

It depends on who you ask. Many people like it ...at least half from what I can tell from the comments section on KickStarter. I tend to be ambivalent myself at this moment because of it's lateness. Mine just arrived ...minus the second controller I ordered. :(

(An auto-reply says they're are sending extra controllers separately in a lot of cases. They really cocked up the deliveries.)

The OUYA's engraved which I didn't expect at my tier. No way is it's controller as bad as some have stated. It felt a bit strange at first but I'm rapidly getting used to it. The UI is only lacking in features at this time not laggy at all.

EDIT: Everybody I've physically shown it to likes it quite a lot including mobile app programmers.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Its a lot easier being righteous than right.

1.7.2013 02:25 #6

pmshah

Success will depend entirely on the workmanship of the product manufacturing process, stability and relaibilty. Component quality and specs may vary from one product to another but their total cost generally would not vary by more than 10% for products with similar specs. If one takes any product apart the differences WILL show.

1.7.2013 04:12 #7

Jemborg

Originally posted by pmshah: Success will depend entirely on the workmanship of the product manufacturing process, stability and reliability. Component quality and specs may vary from one product to another but their total cost generally would not vary by more than 10% for products with similar specs. If one takes any product apart the differences WILL show. There are "breakdowns" online. It seems ok with a fan in it and all.

It certainly looks the part. I've grown to quite like controller too ...apart from the triggers squeaking a bit.

Its a lot easier being righteous than right.

1.7.2013 05:58 #8

Tarsellis

Originally posted by Jemborg: Originally posted by Burnasty: judging by the reviews, ouya took itself out of the running. When reports of mass returnings from the first day sell-out come to fruition let me know.

The "reviews" fail to take several important factors into account not the least of which is price and the development kit being free.

It depends on who you ask. Many people like it ...at least half from what I can tell from the comments section on KickStarter. I tend to be ambivalent myself at this moment because of it's lateness. Mine just arrived ...minus the second controller I ordered. :(

(An auto-reply says they're are sending extra controllers separately in a lot of cases. They really cocked up the deliveries.)

The OUYA's engraved which I didn't expect at my tier. No way is it's controller as bad as some have stated. It felt a bit strange at first but I'm rapidly getting used to it. The UI is only lacking in features at this time not laggy at all.

EDIT: Everybody I've physically shown it to likes it quite a lot including mobile app programmers.

-------------------------------------------------------------- I'm grossly disappointed by the unit.

Locked bootloader, recovery mode was taken out.

The Low Energy version of the Bluetooth has about a top range of 8 feet, if you give it an unobstructed line of sight. The buttons stick on my controller with the higher serial number, and the aluminum on the battery covers isn't polished and scratches the snot out of the sticks and buttons. Scratched off the black on my D-pad after half an hour of use.

Every update re-writes the bootloader and kernel, and takes out your rooting. If the unit sees there's an update, you can't use the console at all until it's done. These things make it a brick waiting to happen.

You can't finish booting the unit without providing a CC number. It completely skips anything about PIN for purchases, and the price of purchases from their store only shows up after you hit buy. The PIN protection is off by default, and buried under parental controls instead of being with the payment information.

The launcher for installed apps is only two lines high, and infinitely wide, and can't be re-ordered or organized. The store doesn't display prices. Usable space is 5.1GB minus twice the size of the app you're attempting to install. No Google Play Store and no authentication framework makes using the apps you already own problematic to impossible, unless you want to ADB the frameworks and store from third party sources yourself.

And support S.U.C.K.S.. Not, meh, it's annoying when I have to call Malaysia and get somebody who clearly doesn't understand Englsih, but like you make me want to punch babies. They don't use their own web/e-mail ticket support system. Tickets just go into a black hole. You only get responses if you publicly shame them into it via Twitter with multiple posts.

As for free Dev kit, Google's Android game console will have one too. It's called Android SDK/ADT. They didn't even use several options, including USB audio and controller frameworks baked into the 4.1.2 android they're on.

The "day one sell outs" are due to to the low volume of units available. Some people Kickstarted this thing a year ago and still haven't gotten their units. They have gotten better quality and hardware support if they waited and bought it from Amazon after release.

And support SUCKS! Did I already mention that? Oh, well it bears repeating.

The little guy had great potential, but a CEO who curses at her customers and failure to follow through on promises of openness, hackability, and "love letter of a controller" are doing massive damage to the unit. We're fast running out of time to turn this thing around. If they don't fix all this now, then they'll get slaughtered if Google can get their console to $200 or less.

My advice is watch it, but wait on it. If they fix their problems, great. If not, jump in when a big boy does it right. For the time being, you're getting an early beta that's not supported by the manufacturer. It's the little engine that could have, but hasn't yet.

Edit: Grammer.

8.7.2013 21:44 #9

AfterDawn: News