Japanese electronics giant Panasonic, first manufacturer of the ill-fated 3DO console, is set to return to the video game hardware business with a new handheld system, the Jungle.
The company has created an offshoot arm of the business, Panasonic Cloud Entertainment, to handle the Jungle's launch and today
unveiled a website featuring a promotional video of the machine.
The Jungle is a clam-shell portable system boasting a QWERTY keyboard, a touchpad, dual d-pad controls, shoulder buttons and a high-resolution display. The system features a mini HDMI port, a micro USB port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
According to some reports, the device will run Linux OS and, thanks to Panasonic's emphasis on online multiplayer gaming, it seems likely will have, at very least, Wi-Fi capability.
The site states: "We began this journey by asking gamers what they wanted. Almost unanimously, we heard calls for online gaming products. Some gamers wanted a handheld, some wanted new content, others new experiences (one dude wanted a tattoo of the Kalphite Queen). In response, the Jungle was born."
In the promotional video, the company indicates that forthcoming Bigpoint MMOG
Battlestar Galactica will be released for the device, as well as a web show,
Online Underground. There is also mention of support for
Runescape.
The system was also shown today on MTV show,
Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory, in which the titular skateboarder attempted to create a piece of music using the unreleased device.
