That $100 Ouya console could actually work

[Wesley]

Realistically, if you're a console manufacturer looking to coin it big in the market, there's one thing to consider: you are not going to pick a fight with the Xbox or the PS3. Maybe you'll go toe-to-toe with the Wii or the still-selling-in-ridiculously-large-numbers Playstation 2 Slim. The fact of the matter is that its just not a viable market for new companies to enter right now, not unless you're going to; A) make a tablet or, B) Launch some kind of game streaming service for your local area.

Ouya might make it work for them by building up an Android box and as Miklós mentioned, there's a great deal of talent on board. But what could be powering the $100 cube?

Linky

[Gammaray]

Holy hell. That is actually impressive. A simple portable (in the sense of take it to any tv you want) console for $100.
Not something that I will buy and use myself, but to the huge casual market ... this can work, and sell like hot cakes. Or even like the Wii. :P

[Legion]

Very awesome.
Was working on a similar prototype..
I like that they opted for tegra.

[Wesley]

I like that they opted for tegra.

Just note that nothing inside the Ouya has been comfirmed, its all a secret right now. But Tegra is the best option for them, seeing as it has freely available dev kits, really great gaming potential and a big library of available titles right off the bat. There's also the possible incentives and funding from Nvidia's Kai program, but I wonder if it only applies to tablets.

[Legion]

Well i do opt for them to go tegra.
It will make this a winner.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SVO_cCdwRE
^^ this made me give away my psp for something more real.

[Wesley]

OUYA KICKSTARTER REACHES OVER $1 MILLION

And it did so in less than 24 hours. It’s now day two of their money-shower campaign, and they’re seconds away from hitting they’ve already smashed the $2 million mark as well. What did they originally ask for in order to fund a $99 console? A hell of a lot less than they have now: $950, 000.

This means that the OUYA console is pretty much a go; the world will be getting an Android based $99 gaming console designed to plug right into your TV. Naturally, the team developing the unit are riding a wave of excitement and motivation; check out the introductory video over on their Kickstarter page.

They’re aiming to ship the first batch of consoles in March 2013 and they’re currently sitting with an advanced prototype that’s working the way they want it to. As originally predicted, the console will run off a Tegra3 quad-core processor.

Linky

I'm happy that I called it right!

[Legion]

sweet mother of... varying levels of want.

Tegra3 quad-core processor
1GB RAM
8GB of internal flash storage
HDMI connection to the TV, with support for up to 1080p HD
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth LE 4.0
USB 2.0 (one)
Wireless controller with standard controls (two analog sticks, d-pad, eight action buttons, a system button), a touchpad
Android 4.0

However that 8GB internal.. idk.. i hope it's good quality"

[echo]

Not entirely sold on the concept yet. And neither is The Penny Arcade Report.

[Toxxyc]

That tech for $100? Not sold. It means around R1,000 here, which I honestly don't buy. You can't even buy a decent iPod for that money. Taking into account 8GB RAM already runs at around that price... Nope!

[Legion]

Not entirely sold on the concept yet. And neither is The Penny Arcade Report.

I disagree it's a great concept.
The problem lies with popularity.
Unlike the brands we know from companies we mostly trust, this device has yet to break into the market and take some sort of foot hold.

[Toxxyc]

Excellent concept, I can give it that. I also think it'll grab instant hold in most households looking for entertainment on multiple platforms - if it delivers even something as basic as DVD support I see no reason why I wouldn't buy one ASAP. Replacement for a DVD player with a little added storage, the option of playing games (as few as they may be) and obvious lightning-fast speed will make this an obvious choice for anyone who just bought a TV with 8 gazillion input connections.

[pArkEr]

I think this will be more suited to all the guys that like to fiddle around in the box (i.e. Legion) than all the casual gamers. The real beauty of this machine is that it'll allow anybody to create and sell their own games, without all the hassle that comes with publishing something with the big three.

From a consumer perspective though... not sold. It's going to need games, and I don't see it competing with the other consoles on that front, at least not yet.

[Toxxyc]

It's going to run Android. It's got more apps than any other platform in the world, what do you mean with "lack of games"? Imagine being able to play the (free) Dead Space on this baby on a 720p resolution? My Galaxy S with a single core processor and 512MB RAM can do that, imagine the beauty this thing can produce!

But I agree, this thing will be a dream for Android-app creating geniuses, like Legion, BlackShipsFillt, dislekcia and the lot. Android is wonderful. Amen.

[Legion]

Nice for fiddling with but can still be easy enough to for the average joe.

It's not on par with the rasberry pi due to it's lack of GPIO pins that's a clear indication it's not for electronics dev fans.

Android already has many stunning games.

The tegra 3 chipset is also very future proof.

:edit
All i would need is a few emulators.
Some media apps.
A external drive.

Games and apps on android.
http://www.gamespot.com/android/game...?games=popular
http://www.gameloft.com/download-gam...-android-games
http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-...ps-2012-693696

As you can see android is well kitted out.
Also if you can text someone of your android phone or if you can navigate a Xbox360 then you can navigate this without issue's.

If XDA adopts it and it sells well then we will have a new contender in the arena.
IDK why I feel like a kid thinking back at my Sega Mega Drive II for some reason.
This console is bringing back that kid.

I would probably be able to find a port for this at some point.
http://www.gameloft.com/android-game...-3/?adid=27351




^^ you see android has allot of visual brunt thanks to OpenGL ES 2.0.
And a console like this does not require to throttle the chipset to save battery life.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=HpzkCTe76Bc


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=aIKsYVrr7P8


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=t4XhWdq85Xk

Oh yes, about the controls.
Many android apps support multiple input methods thanks to the android OS handling it all.
It's a OS... not a system on chip.

Ladies and gentlemen i rest my case.

[Wesley]

I think P.A, is worrying about a lot of nothing. Given the right marketing, the console could be a huge hit, especially with the emulator community if it gets done correctly. Its standardised hardware and a platform that could, given the right software, be made really secure for buying and playing games with the proper licenses, while allowing owners to root the device and do a lot of neat stuff to it.

Also, considering that all Tegra 3 devices have to, by Nvidia's rules, support a lot of third-party game controllers, it makes a lot of sense for Ouya to approach, say, Logitech and have them manufacture their controllers for them with customised casings and with the brand names and other things done by Ouya. I've no doubt that the names behind the project will make it succeed, given that the One-laptop-per-child thing in the UK and Europe is still running pretty well and the huge response, especially by schools teaching electronics and software engineering, that the Raspberry PI has enjoyed.

Plus, Ouya has the Tegrazone category on the Android market open to them and they can make the licensing for the console incredibly cheap since all the hardware and software development has been done for them already. Peeps be worrying for nothing, yo.

Also, a cheap game console that plays and uses Android games and apps while also possibly supporting some form of XMBC or DLNA will be snapped up very quickly by people who want a media player but don't want to build it themselves and prefer to get all their stuff digitally and download it whenever they need to.

[Legion]

Peeps be worrying for nothing, yo.

True i think this review from P.A. ignored.
What I'm also hoping is that they invent a stunning GUI for it as a android games console.

Android also supports bluetooth or usb mice and keyboards.
With the correct internal or external radio's and a app or a few drivers you can also pair ps3 and Wii controllers!!!!!!!

[pArkEr]

It's going to run Android. It's got more apps than any other platform in the world, what do you mean with "lack of games"? Imagine being able to play the (free) Dead Space on this baby on a 720p resolution? My Galaxy S with a single core processor and 512MB RAM can do that, imagine the beauty this thing can produce!

Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo weren't twiddling their thumbs for the last decade and a half you know. When I say games, I mean system sellers. If all it has going for it is Android ports, which I can play on my cellphone already, then it doesn't have much going for it. The original Xbox had great games, and had great ideas, but was still eclipsed by the PS2, because of its huge library.

The support it's getting is promising, but until everything is concrete, I'm going to wait and see what kind of reception it gets. We mustn't forget, developing a console isn't child's play, and there could be hundreds of problems that this company have yet to forsee.

I'm very optimistic that it can carve out its own market though, because it really is a great idea, and could really unlock the potential of budding game developers. But that's going to take some time, as it does for every startup.

[Toxxyc]

^ Oh by all means! I'm not arguing with you, though my response may have looked it, but I'm actually pretty much on the same page as you, though I think we may have different lines in our hands or something. I'm going to stop the book-simile now.

I think this will be a really, really awesome way of getting a functional, practical Android device into the hands of people unable to afford better. Sure, you can play epic ports on your phone, but that phone probably happens to cost in excess of 5 or 6 g's. If you have, for example, a very budget-based cellphone deal because you cannot afford much more, either because you're a student or a strict wife or whatever, this "thing" is an absolutely perfect addition to your home. It's RRP is mentioned at $100. $100. Damn, I'll buy one every month for a few months and create the perfect entertainment centre for my home, and still remain in budget.

This thing will be best if it's not made to be as-is. I can already see an instant upgrade in power supply, and somebody kicking a 256GB SSD in it's direction. Followed by the already existing Windows emulators, this baby will rock up a gaming rig like few other platforms/systems for a fraction of the price. I'll guess Blu-Ray will then be short to follow. PS3 my ass.

[Legion]

Exactly toxxyc.

Why are people only seeing a gaming device?
Because the last time i checked there's a app for everything.

[Toxxyc]

Hehe you're on the N(ew)A(ge)G(aming) forums man... :P