UPDATED 11:32 EST / OCTOBER 28 2011

NEWS

More Android Tablets Coming for Gamers

If you think that six million Android tablets out in the wild is too much, then brace yourself as another batch or Android tablets will soon grace the tech market.

Video game retailer GameStop Corp plans to expand their game console offerings with Android tablets.  The company currently sells game consoles and accessories as well as games for PCs and other gaming platform.  They believe that tablets will reel in a new population of gamers.

“Customers have been telling us that they like to game on multiple devices,” said J. Paul Raines, GameStop’s chief executive. “We believe there is a gaming opportunity on tablets.”

GameStop’s tablet program will include Android tablets from Asustek Computer Inc., Acer Inc. and Samsung Electronics Inc.

But analysts are skeptic about GameStop’s new offering since, Android tablets aren’t really well accepted.

“It doesn’t replace the gold standard of the gaming console in your living room, but it’s a good experience,” said Tony Bartel, GameStop’s president. He added that GameStop hopes to spark increased interest in high-quality games for tablets as a result. “We expect manufacturers to jump in and say ‘Ah-ha, that’s what consumers are looking for.'”

GameStop will offer the gaming tablets only in some of their select stores in time for the holiday rush.  And for GameStop, this is really a part of a larger initiative around its virtual currency.  The company expanded their trade-in program that offers in-store credits that can be used in purchasing apps for Apple devices as well as be used to purchase the Android gaming tablets.

Sony takes PSN beyond its own devices

Another major player in the gaming arena is Sony, which will buyout Ericsson from their joint venture.  Aside from beefing up their patents, this acquisition will also help the company focus on making their devices more integrated with Sony’s other projects and software, including the PlayStation Network.  With sole control over its mobile devices, Sony will be able to push their mobile offerings to more Android devices.  Sony saw the power of Android with their Xperia Play, the first Android-based Sony smartphone with the power of Sony’s gaming console.  This was followed by the launch of their Android tablets, Sony Tablet S and Sony Tablet P, which also support PlayStation games.

“This isn’t an ecosystem where we want to keep everything within the Sony family,” Hirai said during a public interview with the Wall Street Journal’s Walt Mossberg. “This is not just for Sony devices.”

“That’s the beauty of Android,” he added. “We’re in discussions with non-Sony companies to bring them on board. We’ll make those announcements when it’s time to go public with it. This is not just for Sony devices.”


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