ODROID: The Android iPod Touch?
As a general rule, whenever I see a new gadget and read its technical specs, I know pretty much instantly what I think about it. But that’s not the case with the ODROID handheld gaming device, developed by Hardkernel. According to Engadget this device is supposed to be a completely open source gaming device.
It packs the exact same processor as the iPod touch, a 600 MHz Samsung S5PC100 ARM Cortex A8. It also comes with 720p HDMI out, composite video output, microSD and SD card slots, and WiFi. It’s got a 3.5″ capacitive touchscreen as well.
From the specs alone, this sounds like a solid device. Sure, there aren’t many Android games out right now, but with its very own gaming device the OS will probably attract more developers. The problem I’m having with this gadget is that it looks absolutely dreadful. The body looks like someone rolled a PSP flat with a semi, and I can’t understand why on earth any touchscreen device would need 3 D-pads.
I’m hoping to hear that this is just a spur-of-the-moment mock-up, but it just looks so awful. The pictures on the site look like they’re from an actual device, which just makes me even more nervous. I’m not going to make a final judgement on this thing until I see a release announcement, but right now the whole idea seems rather dubious.
