Amazon Planning Android-Based Console, Release Date Rumored to be in 2013

The already full console market is about to get a little more crowded, as it appears that Amazon.com is developing their very own home console, and it could appear before the end of 2013, according to a report from Game Informer.

An unnamed source approached the website, claiming the Amazon is currently working on an Android powered console, similar to the Ouya released earlier in the year. This new console will come out very soon, possibility in time for Black Friday. Black Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year, which is on the day after Thanksgiving.

The source claims that this new console will use the library of digital downloads already available on the website as a pre-existing library of games that players will be able to play. In addition, other Amazon devices such as the Kindle Fire might have some sort of connectivity with this unnamed console. The company usually offers a free app or game every day, so that could be another feature of this console. Finally, the source also believes that the console will have a dedicated controller available for the device.

Amazon has not yet confirmed that this news is indeed legitimate. Until the company releases a statement about this news, the Amazon console is still very much in the rumor stages.

It will be interesting to see what impact this console (if it exists and appears by the end of the year) will have on the console market. After all, by the end of the year the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One will be released, and the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 will still be very much alive and active in the console landscape. In addition, Nintendo is ready to roll out some serious first party titles such as Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze and a new Super Mario game which may raise the console's profile. PC gaming always has a fair share of the market. Mobile gaming will also weigh in on the video game market, as smartphone and tablets compete with with the Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation Vita, and the Nvidia Shield.  All these will be competing with the Amazon console, so the online retailer will have quite the task to compete with all these consoles.

However, the real competition that people will be looking at will be the Amazon console vs the Ouya. Both consoles run on Android, and figure to be lower end consoles for those interested in playing app-style games. The Amazon console may offer free games and apps, much like the Ouya, but with the power a huge corporation behind it as oppose to crowd funded capital like the Ouya received. Overall, the main hurdle the Amazon console would have to clear first will be the Ouya, and it remains to be seen how successful either consoles will be.

Look out for more news on this console, including official confirmation of it's existence and a release date.