Atmel to launch microSD card 'games console' for mobiles

Atmel Corporation and FXI Technologies have teamed up for one of the more intriguing mobile games initiatives we've seen in recent years.

Atmel is planning to sell what it calls "cross-platform mobile phone gaming consoles" in the form of microSD memory cards with a system-on-chip from FXI providing the gaming grunt.

Specifically, the chip - which will be embedded in the memory cards - will have a 3D graphics accelerator, ARM9 processor and interface logic on board. The cards will be usable in any handset with a microSD slot, according to Atmel.

"Traditionally, cell phone games have been limited to downloading games that use the same processor engine already in the device," says Isaac van Kempen, CEO of FXI.

"MicroSD cards with FXI's die will include everything - the graphics accelerator, interface logic and high end ARM9 processor within the same microSD that stores gaming and other applications. It will vastly upgrade cell phone performance, while providing consumers a console-class gaming experience."

FXI says it's distributing its hardware and SDK to developers and publishers, so they can get started on making games for it months in advance of the cards going on sale.

Could it be the next big thing in mobile gaming? All depends on what support it gets from games firms, and how the cards are sold.

There's an argument that people who are keen to play 3D games on their phones will buy handsets with the necessary technology already built-in, though.