Portable games console Gamestick set to launch

[kisamesama]

I think the term "portable" is misleading, since it's not a portable console in the usual sense of the word. "Tiny" or "easily carryable" or "pocketable" would be a better description.



The GameStick can also be powered from a USB port (if the TV or any nearby device has one available), or those USB power adapters. I don't know if you get one with the device, but they're cheap these days.

yup agree..not really portable .. I wished I had a screen on it so you can play while traveling and play on the big screen when returning home

It's portable in the sense you can throw it yer bag/pocket and play it when you get to any hdtv, its not portable in the play while you travel genre, but if that's a complaint then you're missing the concept.

If it is meant to be played on tv.. then I would have preferred better specs

 

[Haloman800]

I'll buy one if:

1. You can buy additional conrollers for multiplayer
2. Google Play is on it (or it can be manually added)
3. Ability to plug in external storage (microUSB would be great)
4. It can run XBMC & play high bit-rate 1080p video

Then it would be absolutely perfect.

edit: looks like they added microSD and the ability to use Android/iOS devices as a 2nd controller, great! If it can play 1080p video and run XBMC I'm sold.

 

[dickfour]

Basically it's a JXD without the screen.

 

[BlackWizzard17]

Wii U, PS4, Xbox One
OUYA, Gamestick, whats next.

 

[Foxi4]

You're almost better off just buying an Android stick with BT support. Or buy an OUYA.

How do you think the gamepad communicates with the stick?

As for my opinion on the product, it has poor specs... but for a good price. Cheap "Made in China MP5 players" come to mind. I'm sure there's a market for it (kindergardens etc.), but it's not something that can radically change the video game market.

 

[Another World]

first when asked how this will compare to the OUYA, you say:

You're almost better off just buying an Android stick with BT support. Or buy an OUYA.

then in the same post you reply to the question about multiplayer and the gamestick:

It has Bluetooth, and you should be able to connect a second BT controller.

so you're saying don't buy it because it doesn't have bluetooth and then in the same post you say it does have bluetooth?

i'm confused by what point you are making.

-another world

 

[Magsor]

I'll buy one if:

1. You can buy additional conrollers for multiplayer
2. Google Play is on it (or it can be manually added)
3. Ability to plug in external storage (microUSB would be great)
4. It can run XBMC & play high bit-rate 1080p video

Then it would be absolutely perfect.

edit: looks like they added microSD and the ability to use Android/iOS devices as a 2nd controller, great! If it can play 1080p video and run XBMC I'm sold.

1. You can for around 30$ but theres probably better controllers out there...
2. You probably can but if you cant download most apps like on JXD its worthless.
3. Yes microSD and USB through a dock sold separately.
4. Runs XBMC but only 720p

 

[Fishaman P]

the HD socket

How the hell do you plug a stick into Component ports?

 

[pwsincd]

http://www.amazon.com/eForCity-3-RCA-Video-Component-Cable/dp/B005QVY2YS or similar

 

[nl255]

1. You can for around 30$ but theres probably better controllers out there...
2. You probably can but if you cant download most apps like on JXD its worthless.
3. Yes microSD and USB through a dock sold separately.
4. Runs XBMC but only 720p

I would hope it has both an unlocked bootloader and adb enabled making it trivial to download whatever you want, including the google play store if you want. Just hook it to your computer and use "adb install app.apk".

 

[IBNobody]

so you're saying don't buy it because it doesn't have bluetooth and then in the same post you say it does have bluetooth?

I didn't say that the Gamestick didn't have BT. I just said that a stand-alone stick would be better

How do you think the gamepad communicates with the stick?

I was talking about a non-Gamestick stick with BT, which is cheaper and won't have a custom Android version.

 

[Foxi4]

I was talking about a non-Gamestick stick with BT, which is cheaper and won't have a custom Android version.

True, true - I get what you're saying now.

 

[Dork]

Wii U, PS4, Xbox One
OUYA, Gamestick, whats next.

Steambox

 

[Another World]

True, true - I get what you're saying now.

i get what he thinks he said, but that isn't what he said.

-another world

 

[Foxi4]

i get what he thinks he said, but that isn't what he said.

-another world

Let's stick by his clarification since we were both confused by that post.

Steambox

An HTPC does not a console make? Pretty sure that Valve will allow anyone to releas "Steamboxes" - they'll just be PC's in smaller cases running a modified version of Ubuntu.

 

[IBNobody]

An HTPC does not a console make? Pretty sure that Valve will allow anyone to releas "Steamboxes" - they'll just be PC's in smaller cases running a modified version of Ubuntu.

It will be more than a customized version of Ubuntu. They are going to have to sell some standardized hardware. Otherwise, it would be a support nightmare.

Linux + Different Hardware + Drivers + People who don't understand Linux = Support Nightmare

That's why Android is such a good implementation of Linux - Google hid just about everything. Also, smart phones, tablets, stick PC's, and set-top-boxes can't have their hardware changed.

 

[LightyKD]

It's way better than the OUYA for sure. Cheaper, more compact, and people are saying it has better hardware as well.

Of course, "better" still isn't good. I don't want to play games made for phones on my TV. But if I did, the GameStick is way nicer looking than the OUYA.

Enjoy having hardware that is not as powerful as the Ouya. Enjoy the lack of a track pad. Enjoy not having "RT, LT, R3 and L3". Need I say more?

Wii U, PS4, Xbox One

OUYA, Gamestick, whats next.

GamePop from Bluestacks (aka GamePoop)

 

[Forstride]

Enjoy having hardware that is not as powerful as the Ouya. Enjoy the lack of a track pad. Enjoy not having "RT, LT, R3 and L3". Need I say more?

Did you even read my post? I said I'm not getting either because it's a waste of money to play phone games on my TV. I'd rather buy a phone for a bit more and get those games and all kinds of other stuff.

 

[Foxi4]

It will be more than a customized version of Ubuntu. They are going to have to sell some standardized hardware. Otherwise, it would be a support nightmare.

Linux + Different Hardware + Drivers + People who don't understand Linux = Support Nightmare

That's why Android is such a good implementation of Linux - Google hid just about everything. Also, smart phones, tablets, stick PC's, and set-top-boxes can't have their hardware changed.

The Steambox's hardware will not be "standardized", there'll just be a bottom requirement of specs as far as I know. Moreover, the specs of each Steambox will be subject to change over time.

People don't have to understand Linux to use it efficiently as long as you put a nice GUI over it and Android is living proof of that.

Smartphones are not standardized, they greatly differ in terms of hardware and yet they "work" perfectly fine and aren't a support nightmare.

 

[IBNobody]

The Steambox's hardware will not be "standardized", there'll just be a bottom requirement of specs as far as I know. Moreover, the specs of each Steambox will be subject to change over time.

People don't have to understand Linux to use it efficiently as long as you put a nice GUI over it and Android is living proof of that.

It's going to have to be more than just a bottom requirement. We have that now. It's called building a gaming PC. That's good, but not good enough to get the system to sell en-masse. There is going to have to be a standard platform that comes pre-assembled and ready to go. Otherwise, Valve wouldn't get any market traction above where they are now. You certainly can't sell a do-it-yourself kit to a consumer that is dumber than a box of rocks.

Who knows, though... Maybe Valve is planning to ignore the technologically challenged Walmart shopper and just tell people to figure things out for themselves?

Smartphones are not standardized, they greatly differ in terms of hardware and yet they "work" perfectly fine and aren't a support nightmare.

Ever see people complain that a game doesn't work on Android phone X? It happens all too frequently. I've spoken to a major mobile studio before, and they've said that they have to test their games on numerous phones dating back up to 4 years. Imagine their nightmare if they had to support all these variants AND any user modifications? You'd have a setup like the PC market, which has abysmal support.

This is the core of the Android fragmentation issue and is one reason why developers are still sticking with Apple. iOS developers have to support ~15 devices. Android developers have to support 100+ devices.

TL;DR:
Standard Platforms = Easy To Support
Customized Platforms = Support Nightmare