Google Inc (GOOG): Is Android About to Become the Dominant Video Game Platform?

Android vs iOS

But isn’t gaming largely superfluous? When it comes to mobile operating systems, aren’t there more important factors? Yes, but at the same time, not really.

According to Business Insider, gaming is one of the more popular things people do on their mobile devices. In fact, people spend more time gaming on their mobile devices than doing anything else — 39% of the time on smartphones, 67% of the time on tablets.

Right now, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has a commanding lead in terms of mobile games. In its most recent issue, video game-centric magazine Game Informer listed the greatest mobile games of 2013. Of the 15 games on the list, 11 were exclusive to iOS.

Some have speculated that Apple could push further into gaming with a TV offering. Nat Brown, one of the original creators of the Xbox, wrote on his blog back in February that an Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) TV, coupled with an app store, could utterly decimate the console industry.

Although it’s widely expected, a full-fledged Apple TV has yet to materialize. Nevertheless, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is pushing more into gaming. The next version of iOS will support third-party, external controllers.

The Android gaming revolution?

With the widespread adoption of smartphones and tablets, mobile gaming has become increasingly popular. However, to date, mobile gaming has thus far stood separate from traditional console and PC games.

But new devices like the Ouya and NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA)’s SHIELD are beginning to blur the line. Their use of Android, combined with Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s own initiatives, could lead to Android becoming a major video game platform. In turn, that could help Google’s Android in its continuing war against Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s iOS.

The article Is Android About to Become the Dominant Video Game Platform? originally appeared on Fool.com.

Salvatore “Sam” is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network — entries represent the personal opinion of the blogger and are not formally edited.

Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.