Google is developing an Android game console, smartwatch, second-gen Nexus Q
- By Sebastian Anthony on June 28, 2013 at 5:39 am
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Google is developing a game console and smartwatch, both powered by Android, and is preparing to release a second version of the Nexus Q media streamer. These devices are all intended to increase Google’s reach beyond smartphones, and to fend off similar plays that are expected from Apple.
This news comes from the Wall Street Journal, which cites the usual “sources familiar with the matter.” Generally, leaks reported by the WSJ are true, and the source is often the company itself, hoping to secure some time in the limelight, or to change the direction/focus of the news cycle. In this case, the leak is probably a response to Sony’s recently released SmartWatch 2, Apple’s impending iPhone/iPad release, and the launch of the Android-based Ouya game console.
According to the WSJ, Google hopes to design and market all three devices itself, and release at least one of them this fall. While you would assume that Google’s new Motorola subsidiary, with its experience of making set-top boxes, would be the ideal manufacturer of an Android-based game console, the WSJ’s sources say that Motorola won’t be involved at all. This will be purely the work of the Google X R&D lab (which brought us Google Glass), and Google’s Android department. Google also created a “Google Games” division way back in 2011, too, which might be involved in the rumored Android-powered console.
Sony SmartWatch 2: Is Google preparing to release something similar?
In terms of actual details, not much is known about the three new devices. The smartwatch will connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth. The new Nexus Q will be cheaper and more functional. When it comes to the video game console, WSJ’s sources seems to know nothing, other than it’s in development. All three devices will run Android — probably the next version, Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie, which is expected to be released this fall, probably around the same time as Apple’s new iPhone, iPad, and iOS 7. Not a whole lot is known about Key Lime Pie, except that it’s apparently optimized for the low-powered devices that are currently taking non-Western nations by storm.
The Google game console and smartwatch are obviously intended to parry any movements made by Apple into the same markets. Apple is rumored to be developing a smartwatch, and a game console or “iTV” are obvious extensions of the iOS line of devices. Apple was the first to market with a killer smartphone and tablet, and reaped massive rewards as a result. Google is probably hoping that, by releasing a console and smartwatch first, it get in at the ground floor, rather than playing the industry’s standard game of Apple Catch-up.
Ouya: An Android game console might sound like a good idea, but the jury’s still out
Whether an Android-powered game console is actually a good idea or not, the jury’s still out. Despite selling out, the Ouya has received generally negative reviews, partly due to the poor controller, but also due to the fact that most Android games were designed for small displays and touchscreens, not large TVs and gamepads. An iOS console would suffer from the same issue, too. A company with the heft of Google or Apple might be able to throw enough money and resources at developers to fix this issue, but it won’t be quick or easy.
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