Report: Google developing an Android-powered console

According to the Wall Street Journal, Google is working on its own Android-powered gaming console and smartwatch — and a replacement for the much-maligned Nexus Q is also on the way. The report states that Mountain View hopes to ship at least one of the products by this fall, and plans to both design and market them itself. In recent months, Android gaming consoles like Ouya and the GameStick have received a tremendous amount of attention — the Ouya went on sale at retailers just this week — but according to the Journal's sources Google's move to create a console is also based on expectations that Apple will add gaming to a future version of the Apple TV.

Google is currently working on the next iteration of the Android operating system, which will reportedly be better suited for the low-cost smartphones that are taking off in developing counties. Google is said to be developing its own low-cost smartphones — a one-two punch that could prove effective against efforts like Mozilla's Firefox OS. Through its Google X hardware facilities the company is also reportedly working on "next-generation" Android devices separately from any hardware its subsidiary Motorola is working on.

Expanding Android's reach is also said to be a big part of Google's plans. HP is named as one hardware partner that is working on a new laptop that runs the next version of Android, internally named "K release" (our own sources have indicated the shipping name will be Key Lime Pie). According to the Journal these Android laptops are intended to compete directly with Windows computers.

A large component of the new version of Android will be official, Google-sanctioned support for a broader range of device types — from the laptops mentioned above, to appliances and wearables. The latter is shaping up to be a highly competitive space; Sony recently announced the SmartWatch 2, and both Apple and Samsung are said to be working on wearable devices of their own. Key Lime Pie is expected to arrive this fall.

http://www.polygon.com/2013/6/27/447...droid--console

...why? The Ouya already exists and the hype died down quick. The market is clearly incredibly slim.

The ouya didn't saw the light

Well then.

Then it might be worth checking out.

apple and google coming into sony and Microsoft space

go away google they always wanna be everything why cant they focus on making youtube usable?

Google's hit and miss sometimes so we'll have to see. You get really great products like Search, Gmail, Maps, Android, but then you have the products they end up discontinuing (which are a lot). So we'll have to see which this ends up in.

Very true, like that failed laptop they put out recently.

I can't think of anything more unnecessary.

More competition for Sony and Microsoft.

If Google tries to actively compete with Sony and Microsoft, mark my words, it will be a losing battle. The PlayStation brand is too entrenched globally to bring them down, and, despite the many mistakes Microsoft has made going into the launch of the Xbox One, their market share in the US with the 360 still looms large, and the removal of their most restrictive policies only bodes well for their chances down the line. And let's not forget about Nintendo, who still have the most bankable characters in all of gaming.

Google would be better off pushing themselves as an alternative (in the vein of a Kindle Fire) or a compliment to the PS4 and Xbox One, rather than directly compete with them.

A console? consoles are on the way out.

Consoles are going nowhere, PC gamers may think so but consoles are an inexpensive way to play games without having to upgrade. While it may be good in the long run to make a powerful gaming rig it still costs money.

The only way i can see it failing is when all companies follow suit like the XBOX One with its original plans.