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Startup Aims For $99, Android-Powered TV Game Console
rodrigoandrade writes "Ouya is a new Android-based home console that aims to bring to the living room the $0.99 games business model that has worked so well for Apple. The device 'will allow developers to easily create and sell their games and be fully “hackable” — anyone will be able to pull the machine apart and tinker with it to their heart’s content.' They're planning on shipping by March 2013. Admittedly, it's vaporware so far, but it could turn the industry on its head, effectively putting an end to the things we all hate about modern console gaming ($60 games, DLC, DRM, endless sequels, movie tie-ins, etc.)"
Personally I'm excited. Not because of the console itself, but the new way Google is taking with Android. They've been knowing for a while now that Microsoft is overtaking them with Bing, so instead of trying to fight a losing battle they keep moving to new territories. Ultimately Google will end up as hardware company with tangible products.
It's already happening. Google is losing in Russia to Yandex and in China to Baidu. Now, Microsoft is also overtaking Google in North America. Bing had 32% market share an year ago - now they have close to 40%. I'd say by the end of the year it will have something like 42%, and by 2015 it has majority at 60%