Bluestacks announces GamePop Mini 'free' games console

GamePop Mini

BlueStacks' new console is free with a monthly subscription




BlueStacks has followed up the launch of its GamePop Cube console with a permanently free iteration it is calling the GamePop Mini.


The device, which will bring all-you-can-eat access to over 500 Android games on your TV set via HDMI, will be completely free for users if they sign up for a 12-month subscription.


The Jelly Bean 4.2 device will come with access to $200-worth of paid games, including the likes of Fruit Ninja and Jetpack Joyride, for the monthly fee of $6.99 (£4.60)


If users subscribe for a year, they'll be able to keep the console for good.


The device will only run Android games for now, but BlueStacks' recently-announced 'Looking Glass' technology will make it easy for iOS developers to launch on the platform.


The launch of the GamePop Mini, which goes up for pre-order on Monday and will ship this winter, brings an alternative to BlueStacks' $129 (£85) GamePop Cube console.


The company is also offering that free to pre-order customers that deal comes to an end on Sunday.


Both devices will enter an increasingly competitive marketplace in the race to bring popular mobile games to the living room.


The £99 Ouya console went on sale this week (although Kickstarter backers are still waiting), while the British-born GameStick console is scheduled to arrive next month.


Just yesterday it was rumoured that Google itself was plotting to launch a dedicated games console to bring the best from the Google Play store to television sets.


Via Engadget