Archos 7'' GamePad Tablet Will Have Buttons, Analog Sticks
What do you get when you combine a game controller with a 7-inch Android tablet? The Archos GamePad.
On Wednesday Archos revealed GamePad, a new tablet form factor that adds physical gaming controls and analog sticks to the typical 7-inch tablet chassis. The details are slim at this point, but the gadget is expected to hit the market by the end of October -- just in time to compete with Windows RT-based tablets, the iPad Mini and Kindle Fire HD.
Archos said that the tablet will sport a 1.5 GHz dual-core SoC featuring a Mali-400 MP quad-core GPU. The device will also come packed with automatic game recognition and mapping tools – patented technology to ensure control compatibility with every advanced Android game.
"Until now, tablets provided gamers with touch controls that lacked response and compatibility for their advanced games, 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. Thanks to the complete touch and physical controls of the Archos GamePad, Gamers can enhance their experience starting at the end of October," the company said.
The Archos GamePad will arrive with Google's Android 4.0 "Ice Cream Sandwich" OS. Henri Crohas, Archos Founder and CEO, said the company decided to develop a gamepad-tablet hybrid due to Android 4.0's game controller support embedded within the framework. That said, many developers have already included gamepad support in their games, and even GameStop has released its own Android-based game controller.
But according to Archos, a large number of these supporting games do not include physical control mapping. This is where the Archos tablet hybrid comes in with its mapping and game recognition tool. This patented technology will allow any virtual control to be mapped the GamePad’s physical control buttons.
"Thanks to the mapping and automatic game recognition systems included on the GamePad, we already have over a thousand android games compatible with the Archos GamePad’s physical controls, including back catalog titles that originally didn’t include physical controls,” Crohas said.
So far pricing and an actual spec list is unknown for now, but expect to pay less than $200 USD. It will likely be competitively priced in light of Apple's launch of the 7-inch iPad Mini, Google's current Nexus 7, and Amazon's upcoming second-generation Kindle Fire -- all fighting for the consumer's holiday season dollars.
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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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Belardo It also means that Google needs to design a standard map for physical controls the options to disable any on-screen buttons (when a flag says so). This would allow for a low-cost Android console too.Reply -
house70 Not a bad move, considering that controlling a game with on-screen buttons can be a pain. Obviously, this is targeting gamers first, but I could see a market for unified peripherals that are inspired from this in the future. The OS' flexibility allows for that.Reply -
Thunderfox While I can't complain about any device having gaming controls, phones are what really need them, because they are with you all the time. Tablets you sort of have to plan to take with you and use. Unless maybe you're a woman with a huge purse, I guess.Reply -
altriss ReplyWhat do you get when you combine a game controller with a 7-inch Android tablet? The Archos GamePad.
something's like a PSP to me.
I'll pass thanks -
kinggraves ThunderfoxWhile I can't complain about any device having gaming controls, phones are what really need them, because they are with you all the time. Tablets you sort of have to plan to take with you and use. Unless maybe you're a woman with a huge purse, I guess.Reply
Briefcase, backpack, laptop case? I'm pretty sure men occasionally carry something larger than a credit card around. The real question is whether or not you want to be seen in public playing a game on it. Public opinion seems to think playing a game system like a DS is nerdy, but playing on your phone is somehow supercool and hip. Where does a sizeable tablet with game controls fit into the social hierarchy?
anonononNice price point, sadly its built under Archos design quality
At price points under $200, something's got to give. I'm sure someone will release a $400 device with better quality if the concept is proven successful.
I don't really think anyone buys this to play Android games though. As long as the emulator apps can key map, that's all that matters. -
Pennanen "Archos 7'' GamePad Tablet Will Have Buttons, Analog Sticks"Reply
You get an oversized psp that will probably fail harder than vita did.
Truth hurts.