An Evo 2 Android console is coming this summer

GAMES HARDWARE OUTFIT Envizion has announced an open Android-based gaming console that's due for launch this Autumn.

Envizion claimed its upcoming Evo 2 Android games console will be designed specifically for open source tinkerers and homebrew modders. Unlike Sony, which abandoned Linux by locking the 'Other OS' feature on its Playstation 3, Envizion is positively embracing support for open development.

"Evo 2 is an open console and gamers can modify any part of the system," said Envizion CEO Derrick Samuels.

The hardware will have a 1.2GHz Samsung chip, 512MB of DDR2 memory and will support a modified version of Android 2.2 Froyo. Envizion will also bundle in an HDMI cable in a feat of generosity, an Evo game controller and an Evo TV remote control. Envizion said it should retail in the US first for $249 (£152) and will be rolled out over Europe in the following weeks.

The company intends to add 3D motion sensors and will release the SDK in a couple of weeks. To entice developers to produce content, Envizion is offering the Evo hardware SDK now for free, as long as developers sign up for the $149 (£91) annual software support fee.

Envizion also hopes to attract punters by offering comprehensive social notworking features and it is crowd sourcing design ideas for the console now.

We've been told that Android is the best OS for games developers because the diverse installed base covers a wide range of hardware including smartphones and tablets.

We've also seen that Nvidia is supporting the Playstation Suite for Android phones and tablets with its Tegra chip. But we haven't seen a fully featured open source Android games console before. Success will, as always, depend on available content, but the Evo 2 could do well as a niche product when it comes out. µ