Tag Archives: Romain Guy

Android 4.0 Turns Your Handset Into A Gaming Console, Supports Game Controllers and HDMI

Posted by on October 24, 2011 No comments

The Xperia Play and iPhone rocked the gaming world, that’s for sure, but Android 4.0 is also set to leave a mark here. Honeycomb already supports USB gamepads, but Ice Cream Sandwich now brings that support to handsets, which is very cool.

Google framework engineer Romain Guy confirmed this support on his Twitter account, so it’s all good news here. HDMI playing is also available, in case you’re wondering. You can use a USB to microUSB adapter for the Galaxy Nexus for example to connect it to a gaming pad and then connect the device to the TV and turn it into a gaming system.

Developers will probably start working on these features and improving them, to make the gaming experience even better. HTC had plans for a gaming service at some point, something related to OnLive, but we’re still waiting on that promise… Will that initiative coupled with Android 4.0 give birth to something cool?


Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich Can Turn Your Galaxy Nexus Into A Video Game Console

Posted by on October 21, 2011 No comments

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With Android Honeycomb we saw the introduction of USB hosting, allowing for connectivity with device like a USB hard drive or USB gamepad (like the Xbox 360 controller) on a tablet for use with games or emulators. In case there was any doubt that this would also be a feature in Ice Cream Sandwich, Romain Guy reminded everyone via Twitter today, that USB gamepads will be fully functional in ICS as well. Couple that with HDMI output and this would essentially turn your Galaxy Nexus into a full fledged portable gaming console (with the right emulators of course).

Cruising around Reddit I found this screenshot of exactly what can be found in the Android SDK in regards to game controllers. You can see it’s a sort of tutorial from Google on setting up a game controller for Android 4.0. Of course, when testing out this function don’t forget — it always helps to imagine you are a lone space cowboy in hot pursuit of the aliens who kidnapped your favorite llama on their way back to Andromeda. Pshh, duh… Who’s ready for some serious Android gaming on your smartphone?

Thanks, Ankit!

[Twitter and Reddit]