It seems like every time you turn around there’s yet another project on Kickstarter attempting to bring mobile Android video games to the big-screen in your living room.
As we’ve previously discussed, the big challenge for Android gaming devices is the controls. Indeed, most Android video games are specifically designed to use touchscreen controls and that’s somewhat difficult when you’re playing on a big-screen TV.
One of the latest Kickstarter Android gaming projects seeking funds is a company known as PlayJam. Their gaming device is dubbed the GameStick, which, as you may recall, was first introduced earlier this month. Essentially, the device is a small stick roughly the size of a flash drive that plugs directly into a computer or TV – allowing you to play games on your computer monitor or big-screen TV.
Based on detailed feedback, the company has redesigned the controller to make it more ergonomic and moved the docking section that holds the Android stick itself to the back of the controller. The new controller design now featues bigger palm grips, rounded edges, and a rubber D-pad. The revised controller is also equipped with XBYA buttons rather than PLAY buttons like previous versions.
In addition, the redesigned system now boasts a microSD card slot supporting up to 32 GB of storage for music, movies, and other content. Plus, the company is showing off a docking station accessory that allows users to easily connect peripherals to the Android stick such as a keyboard, a mouse, microphone, cameras and other devices. The dock also supports wireless charging for a game controller.
The GameStick campaign has raised over $500,000 in pledges thus far and has until February 1 to raise additional funds. The manufacturer expects to ship the product in April for a cool $79.
Specs include an AMlogic AM8726-MX processor paired with 1 GB of RAM, 8 GB storage, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Android Jelly Bean.
