The ODROID Game Entertainment device was first introduced and demoed on September 2009. It was first reported that the Android gaming handheld borrowed some specification from the iPhone 3GS specifically its Samsung processor. Some blog comments thought that the introduction of ODROID was a bit “short sighted” in the sense that it was built for gaming and not as a mobile phone.
Now, ODROID has the limelight focused on it again as it began shipping out units globally. An initial 300 units went presale last September 2009 and are expected to arrive on the hands of “lucky” developers any day now. Here is the partial ODROID handheld system specifcations taken from Hardkernel’s site.(No external dimensions given)
PLATFORM
Samsung Cortex-A8 833Mhz ARM V7 SoC S5PC100
512MB DDR2 memory
3.5-inch capacitive touch screen display
720p HD video via HDMI output
WiFi, Bluetooth
Accelerometer
Android
OPEN
Full hardware schematics
Full source code
The Android game system comes with other documentation plus a buit-in playable Speed Forge 3D. See video demo of the game on ODROID piped-out to a HDTV.
Isn’t that sweet? If you happen to be awed by this system, you can still order the game. The ODROID handheld has a tag price of $349. It isn’t cheap, that is obvious since the game system is newly released. Game developers are most welcomed to create smashing game titles on this platform. Perhaps, Google is planning to get a chunk of the market Sony and Nintendo are currently enjoying.
The ODROID handheld has great potential on the software part. On the hardware side, perhaps developers would find a way to eliminate the “pesky” cables/ HDMI cord. It’s WiFi enabled, so why not put a receiver setup box attachment for the HDTV. Ambitious? A little. All in all, we enjoyed the look and feel of this new handheld system. We expect to see more of ODROID in the future.
(source: engadget)
TweetRelated News and Resources:
Tags: Android gaming handheld, Google Android game, ODROID demo, ODROID portable game system, ODROID price 349 bucks, ODROID specification, Speed Forge 3D Odroid
