Yahoo Finance Google 'Developing Android Console And Watch'
Google (NasdaqGS: GOOG - news) is developing a video games console and a watch based around its Android operating system, reports suggest.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) says one of the devices could be released as early as this autumn.
Google is increasingly moving from its web and search roots into hardware, bringing out a range of Nexus (Xetra: 522090 - news) smartphones and tablets as well as developing wearable technology such as Google Glass.
Quoting people "familiar with the matter", the WSJ claims Google is hoping to release the products before its rivals and says that Apple (NasdaqGS: AAPL - news) is preparing its own console as part of its next Apple TV product.
Google is also reportedly working on a second version of its Android-powered streaming device, Nexus Q, that came out last year but was not sold to the public.
App-based gaming on Android and iOS devices continues to grow in popularity and challenge the dominance of consoles like the PlayStation and Xbox.
Any potential Google gaming device will not be the first Android-powered console though.
Kickstarter project Ouya hit shops this week, with the palm-sized £65 console offering up around 170 downloadable titles at launch and allowing developers to make their own games.
However, initial reports about the quality of the games have been mixed.
The Android system currently powers three-quarters of the world's smartphones, and wearable technology such as a watch is seen as one of the big new frontiers for technology firms.
Samsung confirmed a 'smart watch' product in March but no release date has been announced. Apple is also believed to be working on a similar device, according to technology experts.
Google and Apple have not commented on the latest reports.
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