Games

Ice Cream Sandwich Can Make Your Android Into a Gaming Console

Sure, the iPhone 4S is the hot new thing on the block, but Android hasn't exactly been a slouch in the smartphone market, either.

In fact, one might say that smartphones and tablets running Google's upstart mobile OS have quite a few advantages that the iPhone simply doesn't -- one of which being USB peripheral compatibility. Thanks to Engadget, we're reminded of the perks yet again, as Google framework engineer Romain Guy notes that the Ice Cream Sandwich update (also known as Android 4.0) retains Honeycomb's USB game controller compatibility. That means you can play your Android with a PS3, Xbox 360, or whatever USB controller you have with little more than a USB-to-micro-USB bridge adapter.

But what might be the ultimate game changer is that Android 4.0 also supports HDMI playback, meaning that you can plug your Android device into your TV and have an instant gaming console experience. Although Guy specifically touts the Samsung Galaxy Nexus for the functionality, you can definitely expect people to continue packing gaming controllers with their other Samsung-, Asus-, or Sony-branded tablets and phones. It looks like the battle between Apple and Google in mobile gaming just got a bit more interesting.

[Source: Engadget, Twitter, YouTube]

This article originally appeared on GamePro.com as Ice Cream Sandwich Can Make Your Android Into a Gaming Console