Surely it's just going to be a streaming app for current Android devices, there might be an actual AndroidTV box capable of streaming it but I'm sure the Shield will be supported.
If it's a Google built version of the Shield TV and competitively priced, then it could actually be an interesting proposition.
As others have said, they'll probably drop it after a year though.
It's at GDC.
It's almost certainly not a consumer facing product at all. I imagine it's probably some kind of direct rendering engine or deep Unity integration for Android, and nothing more than that.
I'm expecting them to take Project Stream public. Hopefully with some geographically dispersed servers this time.
Honestly for something I enjoy so much I'm gonna probably stick with the established players like PlayStation etc.
Google is really gonna have to first wow the market, and second, demonstrate a level of focus and commitment to the platform goes beyond their ADD approach.
YES! I've been waiting for the Ouya 2 for YEARS! /s
I wonder if it will be sufficiently powered to unseat the Shield. I doubt it, but it's interesting to think about.
I would say it's more likely to be a public / commercial version of their Project Stream service. If I were them and had it ready, I would want to get my feet in the door before larger competitors (Microsoft and others) release their similar game streaming services fully.
They still haven't added a way to add friends to Play Games - it relied on G+ which is now dead.
If Google wants to launch a game console (and have multiplayer) they have a long way to go...
!RemindMe March 19, 2019 9am
My guess would be like a chromebook style gaming console. Streaming only, server side games and app store. Maybe vr ready.
Will it too have secret microphones?
https://www.cnet.com/news/google-calls-nests-hidden-microphone-an-error/
By mistake.
And then scrapping it a year later? yea no thanks.