UPDATED 13:23 EDT / JULY 05 2012

NEWS

Ouya Building A $99 Hackable Android Game Console

No one really knows what the future holds for Google’s Nexus Q, the black spherical device unveiled during this year’s Google I/O.  When it was unveiled, some were left in awe while others had their eyebrows raised, questioning what that black spherical device is and what the hell does it do. Soon, it won’t be the only Android-based console on the market: meet the Ouya.

Yves Behar,  Jawbone Jambox and One Laptop Per Child designer, along with other investors and backers, are funding Ouya–a startup game platform for connected TVs.  The team would be developing a $99 hackable Android game console that connects to a TV.  The hackable Android device would allow developers to publish games, claim the listing, while having the games free to play.

This might be part of a march of cheap, Android-based console devices for in-home use.

SiliconANGLE’s resident tech and gaming specialist Kyt Dotson provided numerous examples of how developers could transform the Google Q from just being a media streaming device to the ultimate living room device.  Dotson stated that developers could make the Nexus Q into a device that delivers customized news, or a social streaming and communication device, or even the ultimate social gaming sphere powered by OnLive.

You see, the Google Q is extremely hackable in order for developers and makers to have access to it.  So yeah, it has a huge potential.  But, it looks like some developers are already thinking ahead and not waiting for Google Q’s next step.

Thus: the Ouya–and it’s weird box shape.


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