Healthy market
Both the China Daily and the WSJ are reporting that PC giant Lenovo is in the process of developing a games console.
Lenovo has created a subsidiary company, called Beijing eedoo Technology, to make the console, which seems to have drawn inspiration from both Microsoft and ASUS to get its name - eBox. And the Microsoft inspiration doesn't end there - the eBox will feature controller-free gaming along the lines of Kinect.
"We are the world's second company to produce a controller-free game console, behind only Microsoft," said Jack Luo, president of eedoo, in an interview with the China Daily. Meanwhile eedoo spokesperson Jay Chen told the WSJ: "We saw game consoles as an area with growth potential."
It seems the business inspiration is derived more from the Nintendo Wii than anything else, with Luo going on to tell the China Daily: "Our product is designed for family entertainment. Ebox may not have exquisite game graphics, or extensive violence, but it can inspire family members to get off the couch and get some exercise."
The story reveals why Luo chose to emphasise this aspect. Apparently the Chinese government banned the import of all games consoles in 2000 on the grounds that they hinder the development of young people. If that means there are no legit games consoles in China then the market opportunity is clearly massive.
Eedoo does have a website with some English info on it and the sketches of the Ebox below. It states that Eedoo was formed last month and that the console will be launched to the Chinese market before the end of this year. It pays constant lip-service to healthy lifestyles, etc, but reveals that they do plan to expand beyond the Chinese market.
