GameStick dev kits to ship next week

Development kits for the the Android-based pocket console GameStick will begin shipping next week.

The hardware’s creator PlayJam has confirmed via its Kickstarter page that its development units are now production.

These pre-production prototypes contain some different components for de-bugging and loading apps, and are also slightly larger than the final stick will be in order to support a Type A USB slot for keyboard / mouse input necessary for developers.

The console’s other essential part, the GameStick Controller, is also nearing readiness for production. The final controller maps have been chosen, 3D drawings completed and the tooling shop for development of the molds for the injection molding machines.

GameStick makers have several plans for upgrades to the hardware. It’s not shared detail yet, but says it has something lined with ARM, a major chip designer player in mobile phone market.

The company claims that over 500 developers have, or are in the process of signing up to GameStick.

It is also developing an SDK for GameStick that will “give developers a single set of tools to bring their games to GameStick with the minimum of fuss”. The SDK will support C++, Java, Marmalade and Unity, and is due to be released to be later this week.

GameStick will have more announcements at next week’s GDC in San Francisco.