http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/08/08/amazon-developing-android-console-for-release-by-end-of-2013.aspx

Amazon Developing Android Console For Release By End Of 2013

Sources have approached Game Informer with an interesting bit of news from one of the world's largest retailers. Amazon is developing an Android based console for release by the end of this year, most likely by Black Friday.

According to those we spoke with who have knowledge of the in-development hardware, Amazon will be leveraging the titles already available on its platform. Each day, the company offers one productivity or game app for free and stocks a healthy library for its own devices, like the Kindle Fire. The console will also have its own, dedicated controller.

We have reached out to Amazon for comment.

Developing...

Matt Bertz contributed to this report.

Our Take
Unlike the Ouya, which has meager capital and influence, Amazon could make a serious run at the affordable home gaming sector. It already has a bevy of titles at its disposal and relationships with key developers responsible for some of the biggest titles on the Android platform.

It's easy to write off Android consoles as novelties. That is, until an enormous player like Amazon enters the picture.

Amazon also moves a lot of televisions, and is a key player for those companies. Just ask home appliance retailers if they've heard the term "Amazon's Showroom." It wouldn't surprise me to see Amazon cut a deal to have their Android gaming technology integrated with key television manufacturers' products.

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Source: https://twitter.com/supererogatory

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UPDATE

http://techcrunch.com/2013/08/09/amazon-could-launch-qualcomm-powered-games-console-and-media-box-by-end-of-year/

We’ve heard from a reliable source that the hardware Amazon is building could be powered by a Qualcomm MPQ chip, which is the Snapdragon processor line the chipmaking company builds specifically for smart TV and set-top box devices. That, combined with earlier rumours that have emerged suggesting Amazon is working on a set-top device as reported by the Wall Street Journal, combine to suggest that while gaming may be part of this potential new hardware, it won’t be the sole focus. Nor does it make sense for Amazon to focus only on games; it has a huge vested interest in pushing digital music and movies, so why not do a device that combines all three?

Ow... xb1 and ps4 are so doomed!

Meh..it'll have a "oh cool! I'm getting this!" factor...but the the over-saturation of mediocre titles from the Google Play store will drive this console down the drain within a year or 2. Android gaming is Android gaming...not Home Console gaming. Leave that to Nintendo and Sony.

Valve, on the other hand, could really do some damage. Can't wait for the Steambox or whatever it'll be called. I predict a 2014/2015 release.

The interesting part is that Amazon is also hiring for their own Game studio..

I don't think Valve is a threat at all in the console space. They barely even make games anymore. I think the successes of DOTA2 and TF2: The Hat Collection Simulator has really made them want to go all in with games as a service.

Depending on what kind of first party they build, Amazon making a console could be a much, much bigger deal.

Wow, that is a bit odd. So a souped up Ouya? I guess it could have a bunch of simple casual games. But then couldn't you just plug your phone into a TV soon? (But I think they want a decent controller.)

I wonder how many people are playing with Roku's motion gaming?

Does Jeff Bezos just really hate Microsoft? (All these questions I have.)

Another console will certainly shake up the market.

This would probably be a low spec, cheap device. Somewhat like the Fire.

I really don't see core gamers paying this any attention but there is probably a market for it and it can be profitable although no way a match for the big three.

You gotta start somewhere and I think it is wise to start small and see if you can work you way up rather than take on the established companies head on as MS did. The industry has changed since MS and the first xbox.

I agree.. Amazon is a waay bigger party then Ouya or any other Android console makers.. they already have a good reputation.. all the infrastructure is already set up.. And seemingly have the cash to build on their first party.. I'm also betting that like with the Kindle Amazon will take a loss on it.. I think it will be a tegra 4 device at a sub $100 price..

Good bye Ouya and Nvidia Shield (plus unannounced tablet). Hello Amazon console and handheld. Apart from having a standalone version, they should give the option to turn their future tablets into consoles by just syncing the controller.

lets not forget its also a very actractive device for the folks as a media player with their movie and music services integrated into it.. it's not only games but also a direct attack on apple tv and google tv..

Its the next big battle for control of the living room and your money and time. Should be epic, a lot of well funded big companies are going to be going after the same things. MS, Sony, Google, Apple, Amazon, should be an interesting few years as we get TV boxes that play games, and stream internet, and let you buy stuff through them. It makes me curious how ech will be different from the other, and similar. On a side note, are people as worried about google and amazon spying in their living rooms as MS?