Ouya review

[shivadee]

http://www.theverge.com/2013/4/4/4180242/ouya-review

 Who knows..

[TriniXaeno]

I'm much more excited about the steambox than the ouya tbh.

Since (as correctly stated) my phone can serve the same purpose and offer a more complete experience.

Still, a US$99.99 android device is hardly going to break the bank. Could be a good stocking stuffer for the techie in your life.

The hackabilty will make it a deam device for those so inclined at that price point.

Once XBMC hits the ouya store, it will be a completely viable HTPC replacement as well.

I use it on my android phone at present and it works beautifully. Only a matter of time before it does so on the Ouya as well.

[Arcmanov]

Seems like The Verge kinda jumped the gun with this 'review'.

What they got was basically a 'backer' unit, which in no way represents the finished product.  At least software-wise.
The makers themselves have said that more software will be available by its official July 4th launch date, so this review is a bit unfair.


The problem with this device is that the market they're going for most likely already have a pretty powerful Android smartphone that
will do EVERYTHING this 'console' will do with with about 50-60 US dollars in extra accessories. 
A potentially bigger problem is that there's no killer app/feature that truly makes this a viable gaming platform to spend actual money on.


Even their July 4th release date seems a little premature.  It looks like they've got quite a ways to go still.

[TriniXaeno]

Yeah but if you got folks at home, they may appreciate having the "smart tv" functionality offered by the Ouya while you're traipsing out and about with your Galaxy Note 2.

I really wouldn't mind replacing my current HTPC setup with something like this at the price but as mentioned before.....really curious to see what the steam box will look like before committing.

[Arcmanov]

Yeah?  Well my MK802 says that you don't know what you're talking about. 
Yet another cheaper device that can do what the Ouya does, albeit with a few extra add-ons and tweaks.

The tinkerer in me is in love with this concept, but the shadow of obsolescence looms large, unless Ouya can really pull a killer rabbit outta their proverbial hat.




SwiftKey 3 | Samsung Galaxy Note 2 | Tapatalk 2 | Omega v14

[TriniXaeno]

Those extra add ons (like a game controller) and tweaks will quickly close the price gap and also the "technical knowledge required" gap.

The ouya holds the promise of an out of the box HTPC/Gaming box to make your TV "smart" and playful.

It also beats the MK on specs.

Not a bad deal for the price.

Another option is this little baby



http://www.gamestick.tv/

The Game Stick.

Very similar to specs as the MK units but with some of the ease of use promised by the Ouya (comes with a controller out of the box)

Loving the controller....very Nintendo-esque

Cheaper as well.

Options galore.

Still....waiting...on....steam box

[Arcmanov]

I know of the Game Stick.

It's marginally better than the Ouya.

I might be more inclined to invest in this particular form factor.   I actually prefer this controller design.

This might need its own thread though.




SwiftKey 3 | Samsung Galaxy Note 2 | Tapatalk 2 | Omega v14

[Arcmanov]

The Kotaku review: http://kotaku.com/ouya-the-kotaku-review-659671543

My biggest question is:  who is this for?
Certainly not for people like myself that already own a smartphone/HTPC/console/gaming-PC.

I'm siding with the reviewer on this one... It's an OK concept, but it's already obsolete.

[TriniXaeno]

It would be difficult to beat it as an HTPC for $99.99

I will gleefully replace my HTPC with one.

It won't be replacing any game console that's for sure. Especially given that the Wii is so close in price point to it with considerably better games.

Still, a brilliant proof of concept device that will keep the steam box and derivatives honest. Google is planning an android console.

Should be interesting to see if they "one up" the Ouya.

[TriniXaeno]

Well I said difficult, not impossible.

Here is a sub US$100 android device that beats the ouya as far as HTPC duty goes.

G-Box Midnight MX2

http://www.cnx-software.com/2013/05/06/matricom-g-box-midnight-mx2-android-tv-box-review/

Very comprehensive review.

Specs below.

Seems to be one of the few Android setup boxes with multi channel audio passthrough. A must have feature for HTPC duty if you have surround sound speakers (like I do). The OUYA lacks this.

G-Box Midnight MX2 Specifications:
* Amlogic A9 Dual Core Neon HD CPU
* Mali400 Dual Core High Performance 3D GPU
* 1GB RAM (DDR3)
* 8GB Total Internal Storage
* USB Storage Extendable (Flash Drives/HDD)
* SD Storage Extendable (Up to 32GB!)
* 802.11b/g/n internal Wifi
* HDMI v1.4 video output
* 10/100 Ethernet Port
* Coaxial SPDIF Digital Audio Output (Surround Sound)
* Composite Audio/Video Out
* 4x USB 2.0 Ports
* Android 4.2.x Jelly Bean installed
* Supports Wireless USB Keyboard/Mouse
* Google Play Store installed