E3 2013: Hands-on with the OUYA Android Console

[exfileme]

OUYA set up camp outside the L.A. Convention Center so that the entire public can check out the new Android console.

E3 2013: Hands-on with the OUYA Android Console : Read more

 

[xelliz]

I got my Kickstarter backer Ouya in the other day and it really very tiny. So far, I've played around with the menu's and what not, but I haven't had time to play any of the games. Need to get started with FF3!

 

[bustapr]

was soul fjord any good?

 

[Mike Honcho]

Rooted phone + synced PS3 remote + AV cable = no reason for this to exist.

 

[teh_chem]

Rooted phone + synced PS3 remote + AV cable = no reason for this to exist.

Sure, except for the framebuffer issues that T3 has (not sure about other mobile CPU/GPU platforms) when it's cloned to a second (non-device) display. Cloning the output takes a significant amount of T3's bandwidth, which kills gpu performance (something that the OUYA doesn't need to worry about, since it only outputs to a single video port).

Don't get me wrong, I'm hugely unimpressed with OUYA, and I'm dumbfounded that it's gone as far as it has. But it's very different than connecting your phone to a controller and video output.

 

[MrMusAddict]

I don't understand Android consoles. They cost $100, their OS will be outdated in a year or less, and with it they will not be able to play the newest games. This means you get a new console every year or two, just to play games that are available on your phone.

My advice? Get a next gen console for $400, then renew your cell phone contract every 2 years to get the latest and greatest Android device.

The OUYA is way underpowered compared to even a Galaxy S3 anyways...

 

[anthonyla65]

Whilst the concept is good, as said its kind of a bad idea as Android and the mobile hardware market moves at a very fast pace. By the end of this year we'll probably have Quad Core A15 past 2Ghz with Tegra 4 that is many times faster than T3 in Ouya. Next year, we could see Hex-Octa cores in phones and next generation Mali and Adreno GPU's

A console like the Wii U would have better developers for games and longer support. Heck theres no reason to get a Ouya considering the price of a PS3 these days with a massive library of games. Tegra 3 is really obsolete now, not every game and everything was smooth on my Nexus 7. And thats only running on 1280x800. 1080p would kill the Tegra 3.

 

[Scrotor]

I was overjoyed that there was going to be a gaming console that I could play all my Play Store and Amazon Apps on a big screen. Doesn't support either. I did manage to install the Amazon store with a little tinkering, but the controller usage on normal Android apps is functional...kinda... Side loading the Play Store OUYA just refuses to run it. I want to love this thing, but rebuying all the apps I already own on Play and Amazon sucks. I support you guys and good luck, but unless you see the light like Barnes & Noble did with the Nook realizing that they need Google, my OUYA is just a little brick sitting behind my TV. Also the external HD support needs documentation on how to get it to work and which hd's work.

 

[Scrotor]

I was overjoyed that there was going to be a gaming console that I could play all my Play Store and Amazon Apps on a big screen. Doesn't support either. I did manage to install the Amazon store with a little tinkering, but the controller usage on normal Android apps is functional...kinda... Side loading the Play Store OUYA just refuses to run it. I want to love this thing, but rebuying all the apps I already own on Play and Amazon sucks. I support you guys and good luck, but unless you see the light like Barnes & Noble did with the Nook realizing that they need Google, my OUYA is just a little brick sitting behind my TV. Also the external HD support needs documentation on how to get it to work and which hd's work.

 

[Scrotor]

Compared Bards Tale on my Nexus 4 (rooted to get full screen via video out and usage to a PS3 controller) to the OUYA. Nexus 4 wins. Surprising amount of apps support multiple Bluetooth control options (if you are willing to tinker with your phone), and most (android) phones have a video out option now. I really want to love OUYA, I really do, but after fiddling with it for a week, it's just not doing what I wanted it to do, and was expecting from it.

 

[teh_chem]

Compared Bards Tale on my Nexus 4 (rooted to get full screen via video out and usage to a PS3 controller) to the OUYA. Nexus 4 wins. Surprising amount of apps support multiple Bluetooth control options (if you are willing to tinker with your phone), and most (android) phones have a video out option now. I really want to love OUYA, I really do, but after fiddling with it for a week, it's just not doing what I wanted it to do, and was expecting from it.

What was it you were expecting? It sounded like OUYA was pretty clear with their platform and capabilities from the get-go.

Of course the N4 wins--the Nexus 4's CPU and GPU are superior to the T3 in the OUYA.

One advantage over using a phone is that it's a giant pain to connect power, video, and and external controller to a mobile device like a phone. Plus, and especially with modified Android, the confidence in a good user experience goes out the window.

 

[Scrotor]

Compared Bards Tale on my Nexus 4 (rooted to get full screen via video out and usage to a PS3 controller) to the OUYA. Nexus 4 wins. Surprising amount of apps support multiple Bluetooth control options (if you are willing to tinker with your phone), and most (android) phones have a video out option now. I really want to love OUYA, I really do, but after fiddling with it for a week, it's just not doing what I wanted it to do, and was expecting from it.

What was it you were expecting? It sounded like OUYA was pretty clear with their platform and capabilities from the get-go.

Of course the N4 wins--the Nexus 4's CPU and GPU are superior to the T3 in the OUYA.

One advantage over using a phone is that it's a giant pain to connect power, video, and and external controller to a mobile device like a phone. Plus, and especially with modified Android, the confidence in a good user experience goes out the window.

I agree, simpler is better. When I want to game with my phone with a PS3 controller and use it on the TV it does take a minute to set up. With OUYA you just turn it on and it just works. I was a very early backer and didn't find out about a the lack of Play and Amazon app support until months later, but hopefully in the future that will change.