(USA) GameStop launches pre-loaded Android gaming tablets

[Larry-G]

It's game on for Android tablets. US game shop GameStop is selling gaming tablets: Android slates including the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 with a selection of games, including Dead Space and Sonic, built-in and ready to play.

All you have to do is choose your tablet from these Android Honeycomb models: the Acer Iconia, Acer Iconia Tab A500, Asus Eee Pad Transformer, Motorola Xoom, ViewSonic ViewPad 7 and Tab 10.1. Prices vary according to which one you pick, but they're no more expensive than if you buy them on their own -- so the pre-loaded games are free.

The tablets come with Dead Space, Madden NFL, Monster Madness, Sonic CD, Re-Load, Riptide GP and Cordy built-in at no extra cost.

For an extra $40 (£25), GameStop is throwing in a tablet-friendly Bluetooth controller.

We'd like to see the idea extended to the retailer throwing in extra content, especially if it's exclusive to the gaming tablet. Other potentially cool features we'd like to see include easy gaming with your friends across your tablets, and a portal to easily discover more quality Android games.

Currently the Android market is stuffed so full of choice that discovering cool new apps among the dross can be tricky, so recommendations and charts from retailers and other players would be useful.

The gaming tablets are only on sale in the US at the moment, but a solid gold idea like that will no doubt make the jump across the pond. If you're of the Yankee doodle persuasion, you can bag a tablet from $300 (£190) in 200 selected GamesStop shops, or order online.

For all your gaming needs, look no further than our button-bashing bros at GameSpot UK. If casual gaming on your tablet or phone is your favourite waste of time, check out their brilliant show Appetite for Distraction.

Do you like the idea of tablets specifically set up for one purpose, like gaming? What features would tempt you to buy a readymade tablet? And what other niches could be filled by such pre-prepared slates? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below

http://crave.cnet.co.uk/laptops/gamestop-launches-pre-loaded-android-gaming-tablets-50005921/

[silverfox0786]

looks like the nokia phones that came out not much success they where

see how this will go down

[Larry-G]

looks like the nokia phones that came out not much success they where

see how this will go down

i dont know, i had a nokia n-gage in fact i had both versions. and they were cracking little games consoles. they were let down by the games being on SD cards though and the eventual lack of support from games developers once they were hacked. but over all it was a pretty powerful little games machine with a phone attached.

[silverfox0786]

oh yeah i know what yr saying i had both ngages aswell and whwere you point out the support the sd card games and them being hacked is what let it down

[digidude]

ive been thinking about getting a tablet, i didnt want an ipad, and over the last 2 years, have found that im buying a lot of samsung equipment without even realising it (after comparing things, have ended up getting samsung) so have actually been thinking of a samsung tablet

im also going to miami next week, so may go shopping while im there

EDIT: just tried reserving one in the downtown miami store, and theyre showing as $499

[Stanman]

ive been thinking about getting a tablet, i didnt want an ipad, and over the last 2 years, have found that im buying a lot of samsung equipment without even realising it (after comparing things, have ended up getting samsung) so have actually been thinking of a samsung tablet

im also going to miami next week, so may go shopping while im there

EDIT: just tried reserving one in the downtown miami store, and theyre showing as $499

Thats still better than paying the same in pounds