ARCHOS has launched the GamePad, a gaming tablet with physical controls integrated into the device itself. The tablet has a 7-inch touch-screen display, and a 1.5GHz dual-core processor paired with a Mali 400mp quad-core GPU for high-class graphics. This device will be available at the end of October for less than 150 Euro (US$188). Pricing and availability in the U.S. have not yet been announced.
What Else You Need To Know:
- ARCHOS claims that the GamePad uses new technology, including automatic game recognition and mapping tools, that ensures control compatibility with advanced Android games.
- The French electronics comopany said that over the past six months, it has conferred with leading Android game developers to make their games compatible with the GamePad's physical controls.
- The device is pre-installed with Ice Cream Sandwich, the first Android OS to get support for third party controllers.
Other sources
While at first sight this may look like a bigger PS Vita, it’s in fact a fresh tablet from Archos dubbed GamePad.- Rado Iorga, Tablet News
Archos claims over 1000 popular games already have full support and work great.- Cory Gunther, Android Community
- SlashGear
-
ARCHOS GamePad gets physical for Android gaming
This device is an officially Google-licensed device, meaning you’ve got full access to Google Play for apps as well as media of all types – music, music, magazines, and books.
- TN
-
ARCHOS GamePad is a Gaming Tablet With Physical Controls, Dual Core CPU
Archos GamePad works with virtual controls, the standard control method of the Android games, this time mapped to the physical control buttons of the tablet.
- Pocket-lint
-
Archos GamePad: The 7-inch gaming tablet with sights on the PS Vita
"Until now, tablets provided gamers with touch controls that lacked response and compatibility, providing a disappointing gaming experience. As one of the main tablet uses, there is a strong need for a tablet that does more for gaming," says Archos aping similar comments from Sony a couple of years ago.
- Other
-
Archos's GamePad: a 7-inch Android 4.0 tablet with gaming controls for less than a Nexus 7
When Android 4.0 was released last year it added native support for hardware gaming controls, spawning a flurry of interest from controller manufacturers like Nyko, and even leading to the development of the $99 Ouya gaming console.
- All About Symbian
-
Archos GamePad 7-inch ICS tablet announced with physical buttons
Most likely this will be a Texas Instruments processor but we can’t be sure at this point.
- SlashGear
- ARCHOS GamePad gets physical for Android gaming