The bulk of CES announcements happened right at the beginning of the week (in some cases, before the show had even started). However, Huawei threw us a curve ball this week with a late-stage announcement of its first ever Android game console. Dubbed the Tron, the console was announced right after it was learned that China had relaxed its ban on foreign game consoles.
The console has a cylinder-like form factor and is smooth to the touch. On the bottom, you'll find the MicroSD slot, while the DC, HDMI, audio, LAN, and USB 3.0 ports are all along one side. It's worth noting that other than this little panel of ports, the console is completely rounded and will roll around on flat surfaces. The power button is on top and is huge. It features a perforated power symbol that lights up when the device is switched on.
The controller is large and feels comfortable to hold, though it's not as comfortable as the new PlayStation or Xbox controllers. There are two analog sticks, a d-pad and X, Y, B, and A keys, and two bumpers and two triggers around the front. Most interesting is the small, round touchpad in the center, which Huawei has included for touch-based games like Angry Birds.
According to the specs, Tron features a Tegra 4 chip, 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB or 32 GB of internal storage, Wireless AC and Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity, a USB 3.0 port and HDMI output. The price point is around $120, just $20 more than the OUYA Android console. The OS of choice is Android 4.2.3 "Jelly Bean."
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The device is available in black and white, but Huawei hasn't said when, if ever, it will launch in the United States.
Jane McEntegart is a writer, editor, and marketing communications professional with 17 years of experience in the technology industry. She has written about a wide range of technology topics, including smartphones, tablets, and game consoles. Her articles have been published in Tom's Guide, Tom's Hardware, MobileSyrup, and Edge Up.
