You may have seen the Hyperkin Smartboy images posted around the web. Originally, this device seemed nothing more than a hoax, but Hyperkin has been eagerly working on the device and as the Smartboy nears its retail release, the company is asking help from developers.
Hyperkin is well known for their line of Retron consoles, classic console themed USB controllers, among other gaming peripherals. Today the company has revealed their need of developers to help along the process of the upcoming Smartboy before it officially launches into the market next year.
More specifically, Hyperkin is hoping developers will come in and improve the Smartboy’s serial app and firmware. In return, the company is willing to give developers who can contribute to the device a royalty. This would mean that the developer would receive a portion of the money for each Smartboy sold.
Essentially, what the Smartboy does is offer gamers a way to play Gameboy and Game Boy Color cartridges right on their Android smartphone. At this time, there is no word on if the device will be used for other games released within the Google Play Store.
“The Smartboy Development Kit attaches to Android smartphones, turning the phone into a handheld gaming device. It will be compatible with Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges. Included in the kit is an open source serial app and firmware, which will enable developers of all kinds to advance Hyperkin’s current build toward a retail-ready model.
Hyperkin is offering a royalty percentage – of retail-ready Smartboy units sold – to anyone that can improve the Smartboy’s serial app and firmware. Updates and builds of the serial app and firmware can be uploaded to a dedicated Hyperkin Lab forum. Hyperkin Lab is dedicated to product testing and development.”
As of right now, the Hyperkin Smartboy is only being sold as developer kits, but the full product release is expected sometime next year, 2017.
