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According to a new report from The Wall Street Journal, Google has an Android-based video game console and smart watch in the works in order to compete with products the company expects Apple to produce in the future.

Google is also continuing development on the Nexus Q, a media console that it announced last year but did not release. The Nexus Q was designed to stream music, video, and YouTube content to home entertainment systems, similar to the Apple TV.
With the watch and game console, Google is hoping to combat similar devices that Apple Inc. may release in the future, the people said.

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.
This is not the first time it has been suggested that Apple could use the Apple TV to make a serious foray into the console gaming market. Tech sites have speculated for years that gaming on the Apple TV might be in Apple's future, and earlier this year, Xbox founding engineer Nat Brown said that Apple could "destroy" console gaming with third party apps on the Apple TV.

apple_tv_interface_2012.jpg
In February, TechCrunch's MG Siegler confirmed that Apple has something television related in the pipeline, which might be a television set or a revised box. Siegler suggested that gaming could be the major focal point of the new television product.

While Apple has referred to its Apple TV as a hobby project, the company has seen sales continue to rise over the years. With the second generation Apple TV and the introduction of AirPlay Mirroring for iOS devices with iOS 5, gaming on the set-top box became possible for the first time.

Clever developers have already begun using that technology to turn the Apple TV into a gaming console, with several implementing second screen capabilities that turn the iPhone or iPad into a controller. A game released earlier today goes even further, morphing the iPhone into a motion controller that serves as a tennis racket.

Now Apple has revealed that it has established partnerships with Logitech and MOGA to develop third party MFi certified gaming controllers, which would better facilitate television-based gaming, suggesting that the company may indeed be turning its focus to serious gameplay. It should also be noted that 21 of the top 25 all time best selling App Store apps are games.

mogaprocontroller.jpg
A MOGA Gaming Controller
It is not unexpected that Google is planning for a gaming solution of its own to compete with a potential Apple offering, as the Mountain View-based company began work on a smart watch around the same time that Apple was developing a watch of its own. News of Apple's upcoming smart watch dubbed "iWatch" surfaced in December, and hints that Google would develop a competing product surfaced in March, though the company filed for a patent on the technology at an earlier date.

Wearable computers and fitness tracking devices such as the Pebble Smart Watch, the Jawbone UP, and the Nike FuelBand have soared in popularity in recent months and in addition to Apple and Google, other companies like Samsung and Microsoft are said to be developing wearable computing devices. Google already has experience in the market with Google Glass, which it plans to release to the public next year.

According to the WSJ, Google hopes to design and market its devices in house, releasing at least one product this fall. There are no hints on when Apple could potentially launch a revamped Apple TV or a smart watch, but its gaming controllers are expected in the fall alongside the iPhone 5S and iOS 7.

Tim Cook has also suggested that the company has "amazing new hardware, software, and services" coming later in the year and throughout 2014.

Article Link: Google Working on Game Console to Compete with Future Apple Gaming Threat
 

donutbagel

macrumors 6502a
Jun 9, 2013
932
1
Finally, Apple and Google are getting into this. I'm sick of these jokers Microsoft and Sony, and Nintendo has lost most of its mojo.
 

Sky Blue

Guest
Jan 8, 2005
6,856
11
iOS games need to work with touchscreen and a remote or will be rejected, according to Apple.
I don't see the game controller APIs leading to an obvious Apple Tv game console.
 

IzzyJG99

macrumors 6502
Oct 26, 2007
336
6
If they do launch a console (Pippen, anyone?) they're going to need major backing from all the game production companies well before hand. At any rate I don't think they'll go into the console market. It'd be nice if future releases of OS X had a "Gaming Mode." Minimum OS capability so you could dedicate more to the game or something.

Or...just try to get the game companies to do more Mac ports at Day One release of a game.
 

filmantopia

macrumors 6502a
Feb 5, 2010
857
2,435
Perhaps this will give Apple the kick in the booty it needs to finally unleash the gaming (and general app) potential of Apple TV.

I wonder what kind of developments they could be waiting for.
 

AlligatorBloodz

macrumors regular
Oct 13, 2010
107
0
I just preordered my PS4 today. If Apple announces a console between now and this holiday season, I would definitely consider getting that instead. They would really be hurting themselves if they wait until after this holiday season.
 

filmantopia

macrumors 6502a
Feb 5, 2010
857
2,435
If they do launch a console (Pippen, anyone?) they're going to need major backing from all the game production companies well before hand. At any rate I don't think they'll go into the console market. It'd be nice if future releases of OS X had a "Gaming Mode." Minimum OS capability so you could dedicate more to the game or something.

Or...just try to get the game companies to do more Mac ports at Day One release of a game.

They're not going to develop a console such as the Xbox or Playstation, etc. It would be an incidental explosion based upon the current popularity of iDevices and Apple TV (via Apple TV and gaming apps). Sort of the way Apple is by default taking massive share away from the gaming companies, it will lay waste to the current mainstream consoles and barely need to try.

Major game developers, as little as hardcore gamers want to believe, need not be a part of this movement. But numbers don't lie, and at one point or another, one by one they'll come knocking on Apple's big minimalist matte carbon fiber door.
 
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AlligatorBloodz

macrumors regular
Oct 13, 2010
107
0
Perhaps this will give Apple the kick in the booty it needs to finally unleash the gaming (and general app) potential of Apple TV.

I wonder what kind of developments they could be waiting for.

Maybe to see what the competition was doing? although that really isn't their nature.
 

TheUndertow

macrumors 6502
Feb 20, 2011
336
1
I've been saying its a natural Apple gets into the console race with the rousing success of the App Store and iOS gaming as a whole.

Apple TV is nice but console becomes living room companion. While a tough place to get into, I could see them come out swinging mid-next Gen and pull a Sony circa PS1 and MS circa Xbox...

If history repeats itself...Apple would then replace MS/Sony on top, with Nintendo going the way of Sega / Atari depending on the gen in question (ie software only or sw and handheld).

:apple:
 

akuma13

macrumors 6502a
Jan 10, 2006
928
424
I just preordered my PS4 today. If Apple announces a console between now and this holiday season, I would definitely consider getting that instead. They would really be hurting themselves if they wait until after this
holiday season.

They already have. The only thing that would re establish then as a force to be reckoned with is if they finally get off their ass and innovate.
 

Casiotone

macrumors 6502a
Oct 12, 2008
825
111
What the heck are you guys talking about? Apple won't release a game console, they would use the Apple TV for that. (iOS 7 enables official support for game controllers)

Anyway Google releasing a game console has probably a lot to do with the Ouya Android based console (which does not use the Google services and app market and is a moderate success).
 

macs4nw

macrumors 601
If we can't have a real APPLEtv yet, all-out, full-on gaming with an APPLEtv App store, is the next best thing, and unlike a true APPLEtv, there's nothing I can think of, holding up the App Store/gaming introduction, other than of course APPLE wanting to get this 'right'.
 

yAak

macrumors member
Oct 8, 2011
45
93
Another Game console?

Considering how many Android-based consoles are probably shipping (or have shipped) this year:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GameStick
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NVIDIA_Shield
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouya
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GamePop

And other newcomer consoles shipping this year:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Razer_Switchblade
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_(software)#Steam_Box

And well established platforms updating this year:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_4
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox_One

I'd say Google shipping their own console in 2013 is probably a crazy idea. :confused:

Edit: It'd make sense for their upcoming Nexus Q device to run Android apps and games, but to brand it specifically as a gaming console? That'd be just as silly as Microsoft promoting their next Xbox as a media center device! ...Hmmmm... :rolleyes:
 
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donutbagel

macrumors 6502a
Jun 9, 2013
932
1
They're not going to develop a console such as the Xbox or Playstation, etc. It would be an incidental explosion based upon the current popularity of iDevices and Apple TV. Sort of the way Apple is by default taking massive share away from the gaming companies, it may lay waste to the current mainstream consoles and barely need to try. Major game developers, as little as hardcore gamers want to believe, need not be a part of this movement. But numbers don't lie, and at one point or another they'll come knocking on Apple's big minimalist matte carbon fiber door.

Why couldn't Apple make a console like an XBOX? You don't need heavy duty hardware anymore to play advanced games. The Apple TV already has what the XBOX One dreams of having, a solid non-gaming side of the console, and getting games can't be too hard.

----------

Considering how many Android-based consoles are probably shipping (or have shipped) this year:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GameStick
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NVIDIA_Shield
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouya
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GamePop

And other newcomer consoles shipping this year:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Razer_Switchblade
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_(software)#Steam_Box

And well established platforms updating this year:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_4
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox_One

I'd say Google shipping their own console in 2013 is probably a crazy idea. :confused:

They did it with the Nexus. If I was going to buy something with Android, I wouldn't want some obscure thing made by a probably terrible company (that includes you, HTC). I'd want Google behind it.
 

filmantopia

macrumors 6502a
Feb 5, 2010
857
2,435
Why couldn't Apple make a console like an XBOX? You don't need heavy duty hardware anymore to play advanced games. The Apple TV already has what the XBOX One dreams of having, a solid non-gaming side of the console, and getting games can't be too hard.

It's not that they couldn't. They don't need to. That's what I'm saying. The Apple TV is it.
 

TheUndertow

macrumors 6502
Feb 20, 2011
336
1
What the heck are you guys talking about? Apple won't release a game console, they would use the Apple TV for that. (iOS 7 enables official support for game controllers)

Anyway Google releasing a game console has probably a lot to do with the Ouya Android based console (which does not use the Google services and app market and is a moderate success).

Apple TV with AirPlay is the soft launch / test for the Living room box or Console.

You won't plug your PC into the TV, either the console will be the TV or it'll be a tricked out "Apple TV" / Box Attached to TV.

Owning the living room is the consumer "Holy Grail" for Business.
 

filmantopia

macrumors 6502a
Feb 5, 2010
857
2,435
Maybe to see what the competition was doing? although that really isn't their nature.

What isn't in Apple's nature? Apple does what it wants. If it wants to be the first in, it's the first in. If it wants to wait, it waits.

Apple has been waiting for something. They could have opened the Apple TV up to apps ages ago but have declined to, likely for human interface purposes. But if they've really "cracked it" like Steve famously said, I think everyone's in for a big surprise in their living rooms.
 
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donutbagel

macrumors 6502a
Jun 9, 2013
932
1
It's not that they couldn't. They don't need to. That's what I'm saying. The Apple TV is it.

Oh, I see. Yeah, it would definitely make sense to turn the Apple TV into a gaming console, but its hardware is not yet suitable for some of the games.

Also, to get more into the "TV" side, it needs to be able to connect to coax (built-in or with a dongle) to act as a TiVO-like device with antenna TV or even cable. The XBOX One does that, right? Even if it can't record shows, it would still be more convenient and integrated than using the TV's built-in tuner, and it could add some really cool features like using Notification Center to notify you when a show is on! Perfect for World Cup soccer.
 
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otakuon

macrumors member
Jun 18, 2009
50
9
This makes sense, and adding iOS apps to Apple TV would be a pretty easy move on Apple's part. And iPhone or iPad could be used as the game controller. Although, i have to ask, how many people really want to play iOS or Android games on their big screen TVs when traditional console games provide a much more compelling experience? Mobile games are popular precisely because they ARE mobile games.
 

filmantopia

macrumors 6502a
Feb 5, 2010
857
2,435
This makes sense, and adding iOS apps to Apple TV would be a pretty easy move on Apple's part. And iPhone or iPad could be used as the game controller. Although, i have to ask, how many people really want to play iOS or Android games on their big screen TVs when traditional console games provide a much more compelling experience? Mobile games are popular precisely because they ARE mobile games.

Define a compelling experience. We haven't even seen the potential of iOS games in the living rooms. Only moderate experiences based upon mobile games.

If Apple has opened up dynamic APIs for developers for Apple TV, we will likely see a much deeper experience than what we currently know.
 
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