Archos has yesterday unveiled its new mobile game console: the GamePad 2. This brings the French manufacturer the second generation of its 7-inch gaming tablet on the market less than a year after the first GamePad, and is already available at the end of October. As with the previous model, ARCHOS starts again on a 7-inch touch screen.
Compared to its predecessor, the new gaming tablet now offers an HD resolution. The resolution of the IPS display increased from 1,024 x 600 pixels on now 1,280 x 800 pixels and thus comes to a pixel density of less than 216 ppi (pixels per inch). The first GamePad, however, totaled only a pixel density of around 170 ppi. Also the viewing angle stability of the display should be have been improved.
The GamePad 2 is powered by an A9 quad core processor with a clock speed of 1.6 GHz. This works in combination with a quad-core graphics processor and 2 GB memory. The internal memory is 16 GB and can be expanded to up to 64 GB with MicroSD card slot.
Archos has provided also the GamePad 2 with physical controls. It is equipped with a Thumb control and two control keys on both upper sides of the tablet. The pressure point of the controls have been improved according to the ARCHOS. Archos itself speaks of an optimized clicking sensation in the keys.
Further facilities include an HDMI interface, front stereo speakers, and a front-facing camera for video calls. In addition, content can be streamed wirelessly via WiFi display on a large screen. Also a mapping software is supplied again, which allows to combine the virtual control of any game with the physical control of the GamePad 2.
In addition, two games from Gameloft are preinstalled: "asphalt 8 airborne" and "Modern Combat 4 Zero Hour".
As the operating system Android 4.2 comes 'Jelly bean' to use. Users have full access to the Google play store with the GamePad 2. Thus, the GamePad is 2, although it is designed for gaming use, a full Android tablet.
The GamePad 2 will be available in Germany from the end of October in the trade. The manufacturer's retail price is 199.99 euros.