Archos GamePad to take on PS Vita with Google-certification
updated 07:21 am EDT, Wed August 29, 2012
Archos GamePad aims to address gaming shortcomings of tablets
Archos has revealed its 7-inch GamePad, dedicated Android gaming tablet at IFA in Berlin. At first glance, the device resembles a larger Sony PS Vita and includes standard gaming controls including dual-analog joysticks. Importantly, the device also comes with Google-certification meaning that it is compatible with all the apps and games on the Google Play Store.
Archos says that out of the box, the device will be compatible with over 1000 games on the Play Store without any need for backward compatibilty updates from the game developers themselves. To make this possible, Archos has designed the GamePad to automatically map on-screen controls to the physical game controls.
“Thanks to the mapping and automatic game recognition systems included on the GamePad, we already have over a thousand Android games compatible with the Archos GamePad’s physical controls, including back catalog titles that originally didn’t include physical controls,” said Archos Founder and CEO Henri Crohas.
The Archos GamePad will run Android 4.0 ‘Ice Cream Sandwich’ on launch, which will be driven by a 1.5GHz dual-core processor with a Mali 400MP quad-core GPU ensuring that it will deliver a smooth, high-frame rate gaming experience. The device will go on sale in Europe for under 150 Euro at the end of October. North American pricing and availability haven’t been announced.
