Technology giant Google is rumoured to be working on a gaming console that will operate on the company’s Android operating system.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Google is developing the videogame system and a smartwatch to jump ahead of whatever Apple has in their production cycle. It has been known for some time that Apple is actively working on a smartwatch.
A Google spokeswoman declined to comment on any development currently ongoing by the company, but WSJ added that Google will also be looking at updating the Nexus Q, and that Apple is working on a videogames console. The Nexus Q was a media-streaming entertainment device, but was ultimately dropped by Google before launch as users felt it had to few features.
“The people briefed on the matter said Google is reacting in part to expectations that rival Apple will launch a videogame console as part of its next Apple TV product release,” they added.
According to WSJ, “Games that run on Android software have proved particularly popular, and they are growing more quickly than games made for the big-name consoles supplied by Microsoft Corp., Sony Corp. and Nintendo Co. The appeal of such games has prompted the development of new devices aimed specifically for Android by other hardware companies”.
Sources told WSJ that Google will be looking at developing their own low-cost smartphones in the future, which will be targeted towards developing markets.
“Android is offered free to makers of devices like smartphones and tablets, with Samsung Electronics Co. the biggest of Google’s hardware partners. The hardware helps Google generate revenue from services like Google Search and YouTube. Last fall Google said it was on track to generate $8 billion annually in gross revenue from mobile devices, though some analysts say the majority of Google’s net mobile revenue comes from Web search and YouTube used on Apple devices,” they wrote.
Charlie Fripp – Consumer Tech editor
