$250 gamepad-equipped tablet launching this spring
By
Eddie Makuch, News Editor
7-inch Android-powered Wikipad tablet coming to "leading retailers" later this year; delay due to "flaw" discovered in pilot production run.
The gamepad-equipped, Android-powered Wikipad tablet will launch this spring, developers announced today. The 7-inch version will be available at "leading retailers" later this year for $250, while the 10-inch version is still in development, but not the company's focus at present.
The Wikipad was originally targeted to launch at GameStop on Halloween, but was later pushed back. Explaining the delay, the company said it discovered a "flaw" during the pilot production run. This mistake was not one of the design team or its manufacturing partners, the company said.
"We needed the additional time to improve the controller based on those discoveries," the company said. "During the delay, and after carefully listening to people who voiced their opinions regarding our initial price point, we decided to alter our product roadmap and make the 7" tablet at $249."
The Wikipad tablet features an attachable dual-analog controller and a 7-inch IPS screen. The device comes with 16GB of memory with a micro SD slot to support an additional 32GB of storage. The Wikipad table boasts an Nvidia Tegra 3 quad-core processor and is "optimized for cloud-gaming."
The Wikipad will support games downloadable through PlayStation Mobile, Nvidia's Tegra Zone, Google Play, OnLive, and other forthcoming platforms.
By
Eddie Makuch, News Editor
Eddie Makuch (Mack-ooh) is a News Editor at GameSpot. He works out of the company's Boston office in Somerville, Mass., and loves extra chunky peanut butter.
59 comments
Can anyone explain to me why a product that HASN'T EVEN LAUNCHED YET is coming out NOW with a Tegra 3 processor when they JUST came out with the significantly more powerful Tegra 4?
@nonfanboygamer1 The above article has nothing to do with cloud gaming, but you are not alone, I feel old even though I am just 40 and I too do not have no interest in the above android device or even cloud gaming, cloud computing.
Awesome! I was thinking of getting a Google Nexus 7 for the same price, but I'm going to wait until this comes out since it comes with the controller and has support for more games. Wikipad you have another customer!
if only real game developers could get on board with android now, I'd definitely buy one
No doubt this 'flaw' was the excuse for delaying, which was actually more to reconcile themselves with the price cut since no one in their right minds would buy a thousand-dollar tablet.
@tgwolf Actually, the original 10 inch Wikipad was going to sell for $500. You must be getting the price mixed up with Razer's Edge tablet, which is much more powerful. Also, the flaw they are talking about was with the controller and it's responsiveness. I'm glad they decided to address any flaws that they had before releasing it. It shows how dedicated they are to providing us with a quality product.
2 Like It kinda reminds me of the Sega Game Gear and what it might look like if it came out now.
Damn I'm jelly of you android gamers actually getting gamepads if freaking apple would just release one it'll be a killing
1 Like Between this and Ouya, Android games are going to come into their own stride. Granted games right now are still in a casual stage, I don't see why that wouldn't change over the years.
I'm left wondering what type of game hasn't been made, so I can tap the market.
@gargungulunk I agree after all console gaming has it's origins in the likes of png, astroid, and pac-man
It seems like a bunch of these things are coming out. I am probably going to wait to see if any of them actually see any success before buying one even though I love the idea of an Android device w/ proper gaming controls. I am also hoping someone comes up w/ something in a smaller, more pocket-able form factor. Seven inch screens are great for playing around the house but if I gotta find room for it in my bag to bring it along, I have found I just don't bother.
1 Like It's called a Gameboy and its been out for, oh about 30 years or so. Not to mention it costs like $100 or somethin like that
1 Like I have bought a PSPgo, PSvita and The Wii U. So this is it. The price point is there. $250.00 for the Wikipad so I can try those android games. This product has a chance of success. This is a tablet computer with proper gaming controls. Which is something I would buy. Now to see if there is future in android games. This is very similar to the shape of the Gamepad. Hopefully the controls are responsive.
These are pretty much the exact specs of the Google/Asus Nexus 7 tablet. The article neglects to mention what version of Android will come pre-installed on it as well. Being that the specs are pretty much identical, and you can get the 16gb Nexus 7 for $200, you're pretty much paying $50 for the thumbsticks.
That's an awful lot to spend for a gaming accessory for a device that doesn't have many games worth playing.
1. Journey
2. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
3. Unfinished Swan
4. Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
5. Infamous
6. Infamous 2
7. Star Hawk
8. Playstation All-Stars
9. Fat Princess
10. Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
And these are just a fraction of the exclusives. I'm probably leaving a few out.
The problem is all Android games are developed and optimised for touchscreen gameplay, when that starts to change these things will be more viable for use, but until then all they're good for is running emulators, and there are cheaper solutions for that.
@barrybarryk Android 4.0 has native controller support and there is a long list of games that support a controller.
http://www.jayceooi.com/2012/09/11/android-games-with-native-gamepad-support/
Thing is you can rig any Bluetooth or USB controller (PS3, Xbox) to connect to your android device for free or dirt cheap..
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