Google is set to take on Sony and Microsoft with the search Company set to release a new gaming controller that can be used on an Android TV.
Google announced a new version of the Android TV platform at its annual Google I/O developers’ conference held in the USA this week.
Observers at the conference said that from the looks of the design, it will be very familiar to existing gamers as it has built in traditional control buttons, mimicking that of the Xbox One and other Microsoft consoles, as well as a standard D pad.
You’ve got two analogue sticks in the centre, parallel to each other making that section a bit more PS4-like.
In the centre, it looks like Google has put three buttons, with two of them aping the Android operating system’s home and back buttons. In the middle of those is a larger round button, which will probably give access either to the Android TV home screen or to a slew of options.
There are four LED lights beneath those buttons too, suggesting that four player local multiplayer will be possible, possibly each with their own Google logo themed colour.
It could be that this is just a prototype for Android TV controller or a reference design to be given to third party manufacturers like Nvidia.
Nvidia was given special attention during Google’s I/O keynote, with its new Nvidia K1 chipset showcasing some pretty serious graphic power.
In fact, there are some similarities between the Android TV controller and the Nvidia Shield, so it’s possible that the two could share or use similar APIs.
Google hasn’t detailed whether this controller will be made commercially available at any point, but you’ll start seeing the first Android TV set top boxes arrive in the autumn.
