Samsung Galaxy Nexus Release: ICS Turns Mobile Device Into a Gaming Console

By Fionna Agomuoh, Christian Post Contributor Wednesday, October 26, 2011

The soon to be released Android 4.0 allows USB gamepad and HDMI connectivity, which can turn a mobile device into a gaming console.

Engadget, a technology website, reported that Romain Guy, a Google framework engineer, announced the connectivity feature via Twitter on Oct. 21.

"With Android 4.0 you can use USB gamepads and HDMI to turn your Galaxy Nexus into a video games console!" tweeted Guy.

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Android 4.0, also known as Ice Cream Sandwich, is a compatible operating system to both smartphones and tablet computers.

The connectivity feature was original implemented on Android 3.0, also known as Honeycomb, a tablet native operating system.

With a USB-to-micro-USB bridge adapter, users can connect the Galaxy Nexus, or a future Ice Cream Sandwich capable smartphone, to various USB gamepads, such as the PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360, for more controlled game play.

Engadget also noted that users could connect an external gamepad to an USB-to-micro-USB adapter on the Galaxy Nexus and then to a television to "transform your handset into a fancy portable gaming console."

At the “Samsung Mobile Unpacked: Google Episode" media event on Oct. 19, Hugo Barrade, Google's product management director for Android, demonstrated how Android beam, one of the premier features on the Galaxy Nexus, allows users to share video games between smartphones.

With USB gamepad and HDMI connectivity, users can play a game through an Android device with a gamepad or on a television, similar to a full-fledged video game.