GameStop's Android Based Tablet with Physical Controls

[Yoshi]

No surprises here. GameStop, which announced its intentions to become a technology company earlier this spring, has officially selected Google's Android OS for its upcoming tablet-based "certified gaming platform." The video game retailer's prexy Tony Bartel relayed the news to GamesIndustry.biz, and plans to sell the slate alongside offerings from industry heavyweights. The news comes on the heels of the company's spring acquisition of developer Spawn Labs and Impulse, with a pre-production model design already selected for the tab. Expect the hardware to come pre-loaded with a handful of games, and to have a focus on an OnLive-like, cloud-based gaming platform. Consumers in Dallas were the first to get a hands-on with the beta device that should sport a custom designed inbuilt controller at launch. According to Bartel, "It's hard to imagine how to stream a game - let' say Modern Warfare 3 - onto a tablet and then play it with your finger." The GameStop-made tab could also see third-party exclusives head to the platform, crafted with its controller interface in mind. Bartel made no mention of a release window, but it's clear the company's adapting to the industry's digital download future.

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I wish nearly anyone but GameStop was doing this. Truth be told, this could be a massive success if the streaming works as well as OnLive.

[MechDeus]

I wish nearly anyone but GameStop was doing this.

Agreed. Speaking of OnLive, I wish this was their product instead.

[Hero]

Considering that Yoshi, capitalist extrodinare, is always picking industry losers (no seriously the PS3 outselling everyone in my mind), let me guess that this thing is gonna do well for itself because it's Gamestop branded, not in spite of it.

[kingoffighters]

I wish nearly anyone but GameStop was doing this. Truth be told, this could be a massive success if the streaming works as well as OnLive.

Amazon is doing the same thing, but obviously not limited to gaming. I hope (and expect) Amazon's service to kill them.

There is a rumor that Onlive is partnering with Microsoft too. It is not substantiated tho.

[Yoshi]

The masses are asses.

[Yoshi]

Amazon is doing the same thing, but obviously not limited to gaming. I hope (and expect) Amazon's service to kill them.

I'm all about that Amazon tablet, but I wish it had the controls.

[kingoffighters]

I'm all about that Amazon tablet, but I wish it had the controls.

You can use Onlive's universal controller on any iOS/Droid tablet... I suppose that's one extra thing to carry around.

[Yoshi]

Oh shit. I forgot about that.

[Razor Ramon]

If you're outside, why do you want to play video games?

[Diff-chan]

I will not buy this device.