But why? Why would you do that? Why would you do any of that?
That’s right, friends; the Atari VCS is neither out, nor dead yet. But you’ll be happy to hear that they’ve selected a web browser for it: Google Chrome. Per the press release:
NEW YORK, NY (December 16, 2020) – Atari® — one of the world’s most iconic consumer brands and interactive entertainment producers — today announced that the all-new Atari VCS™ PC/console hybrid features Google Chrome for streaming services, browsing, and browser-based applications, including Google Workspace. The addition of Chrome allows these services to be easily accessed within the Atari VCS’s console-like environment, while providing the security and safety that users of Chrome have come to expect.
Chrome on the Atari VCS takes full advantage of the streaming capabilities of the system’s AMD Ryzen R1606G CPU. This allows Atari VCS users to access an almost limitless array of streaming services and web-based productivity options. The Atari VCS Storefront will ship with free downloadable bookmarks for dozens of popular streaming services. Once a user selects and installs a favorite app’s bookmark and logs into their account they will be able to access the streaming service from a tile on their home screen.
Users will also be able to take advantage of Google Workspace, Google’s cloud-based communication and collaboration solution that includes popular apps such as Gmail, Calendar, Chat, Docs, Drive, and Meet. With Chrome, checking emails and social media, joining a video conference, and online shopping from the couch is simple. The Atari VCS will be compatible with most PC peripherals, so users will be able to connect a webcam for Google Meet video conferencing and use a mouse and keyboard to undertake more text-heavy tasks.
Yes, Google Chrome, and it’ll also have mouse and keyboard support so you can browse the web on this retro-facing console. Which is still not out, and is three years behind schedule. But don’t worry, I’m sure those Indiegogo backers will be getting those consoles soon.
Fuck, the only good thing to come out of nu-Atari was the presence of their logo in that Blade Runner sequel.
I’ll damn well believe it when I see it.
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