Archos has announced a 7" Android tablet targeted directly to hardcore gamers who prefer physical buttons and joysticks over touchscreen controls. Dubbed the "GamePad," the tablet supports game controller APIs built into version 4.x of Android, as well as its own controller "mapping" software that works with games without controller support.
Archos wasn't too specific about the tablet's specs, saying it comes equipped with a 7" capacitive touchscreen, possibly 1280x800 pixels, and a 1.5GHz dual-core processor. The processor does have an integrated Mali-400MP quad-core GPU, though, which should offer respectable 3D gaming performance. (Too bad Archos didn't opt for the much more impressive Mali-T658). The device also includes an integrated D-pad, ABXY buttons, and two analog thumbsticks for gaming action.
Gamers have long lamented the lack of physical controls on touchscreen devices ever since the launch of the iPhone 3G and Apple's iOS App Store in 2008. While companies such as ThinkGeek, Ion, and Gametel have attempted to develop add-ons to address the shortcoming, Archos' GamePad is the first Android tablet purpose-built for gaming.
The GamePad might not have ever happened had it not been for Google's decision to support game controllers natively in the latest versions of Android. "When Android 4.0 'Ice Cream Sandwich' was first released, they included game controller support within the frameworks," Henri Crohas, Archos Founder and CEO said in a statement. "And that is when we decided to build the GamePad."
Archos has been working with game developers for the last six months to include native support for Android's controller APIs. However, it has prepared for games that don't support those APIs by building its own software to recognize virtual game controls and automatically map them to the physical controls. Archos said that over 1,000 games available through the Google Play Store are already supported, "including back catalog titles that originally didn’t include physical controls."
The Archos GamePad goes on sale at the end of October for €150, or roughly $200.
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