WSJ: Google working on an Android-powered game system, smart watch and new Nexus Q

According to the Wall Street Journal, Google might make another foray into living room hardware as it’s currently developing an Android powered gaming console. Since that’s just not enough of a rumor bomb, the talkative “people familiar with the matter” also claim a wristwatch and followup to its “postponedNexus Q project are on the way. If you believe the rumors, its reason for jumping into all these categories is to beat products Apple is reportedly developing in the same categories, with at least one of them launching this fall. Finally, the leaks indicate Google’s next major Android update will be “tailored to low-cost devices in developing countries,” and are ready to go in a much wider variety of devices.

That could mean laptops or even appliances running the rumored Key Lime Pie flavor of Android, built by manufacturers like Samsung which is already working on a watch of its own. Also mentioned is HP, which the report goes on to claim is building laptops that run Android. Companies like Ouya, Mad Catz, Pebble and GEAK probably think Mountain View is already late to the party, but official OS-level support and heavily marketed hardware could take these segments to the next level.

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Source: Wall Street Journal

BlueStacks to offer GamePop Android game console for $129, expands title lineup

BlueStacks to offer GamePop Android game console for $129, extends free preorder through June

BlueStacks is taking on OUYA in a big way, having announced its Android-powered GamePop game console a few weeks ago. The company wouldn’t give specifics on how much the device would cost when it was first unveiled, although it offered an option to get the console for free through May — provided you were willing to subscribe to the $7-per-month service for at least a full year, which gives you full access to a large number of paid and free mobile games. Today, BlueStacks announced that the free offer has been extended through June, after which time the console can be yours for $129. What’s more, the service has inked partnerships with more gaming developers, adding at least another $50 worth of titles to its overall catalog. One such company is COM2US, which will feature its very own channel in GamePop’s UI. Head to the source link to get your pre-order in.

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Via: TheNextWeb

Source: Gamepop.tv

Informal OUYA game count: 481 and growing

OUYA game store

You can sometimes gauge a game console’s short-term success based on its launch lineup; many of us know the pain of having to choose the least terrible game of a small bunch while we’re waiting for a better selection. While we can’t vouch for how the OUYA will fare for quality, Eddie at OUYA Forum has done the legwork to prove that there won’t be any problems with the Android console’s quantity. He’s checked with both OUYA and developers to confirm that there are at least 481 games headed to the fledgling system, as of this writing. The clear majority of these are smaller indie titles that won’t dampen Sony’s enthusiasm for next week, but that’s not necessarily a problem — the abundance mostly hints that there could be a few gems for early adopters, even if there’s a lot of fluff.

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Source: OUYA Forum

White PlayStation 3 bundle surfaces unannounced at Canadian retailers

White PlayStation 3 bundle surfaces unannounced at Canadian retailers

In North America, the PlayStation 3 is the Model T of consoles: you can have any system color you want, as long as it’s black. Sony might be dropping the circa-1908 approach in the near future, at least in Canada. Both Best Buy and its Canada-only sister chain, Future Shop, are listing a Crystal White Limited Edition Bundle that includes a 500GB hard drive, a year-long PlayStation Plus subscription and a trio of games for $300 Canadian ($305 US). It’s a good deal compared to the existing lineup, but extra-special when white has been limited to a handful of other countries — and when Sony hasn’t mentioned any North American plans for the color. We’ve asked the company for comment, and we’ll let you know the response. When both stores list a January 27th in-stock date, however, any answers will come quickly.

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Via: Joystiq

Source: Best Buy, Future Shop

GameStick brings a new Android game console to your TV, fits inside its own controller (video)

GameStick brings a new Android game console to your TV, fits inside its own controller video

OUYA likely won’t be the only Android-based game console in town this spring. PlayJam is going beyond its smart TV roots to build the GameStick, a TV-based system that fits into a shell not much bigger than a typical flash drive — it’s small enough that the finished version should stow inside its own Bluetooth gamepad and draw power from the HDMI port, like Roku’s Streaming Stick. The Jelly Bean system’s dual-core Amlogic processor isn’t as powerful as the Tegra 3 in the OUYA, but it should also lead to a slightly more tempting $79 price. PlayJam’s remaining challenge is the familiar one of reaching a crowdfunding target: the company says it needs $100,000 to go through its last development hurdles and ship the production GameStick in April. If the firm makes its goal, however, the low-cost gaming world will be delightfully crowded this year.

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Via: Edge Online

Source: GameStick (Kickstarter)

Hailrazer stuffs a Nintendo 64 into a GameCube GameBoy Player (video)

Hailrazer stuffs a Nintendo 64 into a GameCube GameBoy Player, creates a nostalgia singularity  video

Hailrazer is clearly a fan of the Nintendo 64 and GameCube, but his projects have kept the systems as separate beasts. Until now, that is. His latest mod puts a Nintendo 64 into a GameCube’s GameBoy Player add-on, linking the audio, power and video to those of the more modern system. Gamers just have to plug in relevant controllers and flip a switch to play whichever console best triggers a nostalgia trip. About the only setback is the absence of space for a proper Nintendo 64 cartridge slot, which effectively mandates using a not-quite-above-board storage format instead. Given that the two-in-one console is strictly a personal labor of love, it’s still quite the achievement — and it guarantees that Hailrazer’s inner circle won’t have to travel far for a trip down memory lane.

[Thanks, Jon]

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Source: Bacteria’s Forum

Nintendo PSA: update the firmware for that gift Wii U

Nintendo Wii U review wrap-up

So you’re the very definition of generosity and plan to put a Wii U under the tree for that special someone. Nintendo just provided a helpful tip to keep the kindness going beyond Christmas morning, if it’s not too late: update that Wii U’s firmware before you wrap the box. Unless the recipients are wired up with Google Fiber, they’ll likely face a long wait as that 5GB patch arrives. The process will spoil the unboxing experience, to be sure — but so does realizing that it’s another two hours before anyone can use the eShop and Netflix. Trust us, they’ll thank you for it later.

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Via: Pocket-lint

Source: Nintendo of America (Twitter)

Gabe Newell hints at possible ‘turnkey’ Valve living room system, sees others following suit

Steam Big Picture TV

Valve has been making a visibly deep push into the living room, but in bits and pieces — controllers here, Big Picture interfaces there. Company chief Gabe Newell may have just hinted at a more holistic, though non-exclusive, approach in the works. Chatting on the sidelines of the Video Game Awards, he tells Kotaku that any Valve hardware would involve a “turnkey solution” with a “very controlled” environment, not unlike a console. While that’s not necessarily the confirmation of the rumored Steam Box, Newell only stokes the speculation further through his eagerness to put Big Picture on Steam for Linux and get that much more control when building hardware. The game developer doesn’t see his company monopolizing couch-based devices should it get involved, however — he predicts more companies will be selling PCs in 2013 tailored for the TV in a way that would favor Steam. We won’t consider either a Valve-made gaming box or its third-party equivalents to be imminent based solely on award show banter, but the remarks suggest that at least one of the PCs is more than just a dream.

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Source: Kotaku

Nintendo Wii Mini hands-on

Nintendo Wii Mini handson

Nintendo’s Wii Mini has been a bit more elusive than we thought, but we’ve at last snagged the entry-level console ahead of its official release and given it a quick shakedown. While it does what it says on the tin — welcome newcomers and second-system shoppers to the Wii universe — we’ve found that there’s a few important details to consider beyond just the absences of internet access and GameCube support. Read on past the break for our quick look.

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Nintendo makes Wii Mini official: currently exclusive to Canada, launches December 7th for $100

Nintendo makes Wii Mini official exclusive to Canada, launches December 7th for $100

That was quick. Scarcely two hours after Best Buy spoiled the party, Nintendo is launching the Wii Mini. The crimson console is billed as a Canada-exclusive for now — we’re reaching out to confirm if and when it might go elsewhere — and is clearly meant to catch those families that find the Wii U (or even a regular Wii) too pricey. To get there, though, they’ll have to make some big sacrifices. The Wii Mini cuts out both GameCube compatibility (seen in some regular Wii variants) and, more importantly, internet access; unfortunately, this won’t be your budget Netflix box. Still, when gamers in the Great White North can pick one up on December 7th for $100, it might be the ideal fit for that TV in the basement or the occasional party.

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Source: Nintendo