Handheld gaming console

Abstract

A gaming console including a housing configured for handheld manipulation. A processor is contained within the housing and configured for executing a gaming application. Memory is contained within the housing and configured for storing executables of the gaming application. At least one control button is exposed on the housing and is configured for receiving input from a user that provides an instruction for the gaming application. The gaming console includes a high definition (HD) display for displaying the gaming application.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A computing device, comprising:
 a housing configured for handheld manipulation;   a processor contained within said housing and configured for executing a gaming application;   memory contained within said housing and configured for storing executables of said gaming application;   at least one control button exposed on said housing and configured for receiving input from a user that provides an instruction for said gaming application; and   a high definition (HD) display for displaying video from said gaming application.   
     
     
         2 . The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein said HD display comprises a touch screen display. 
     
     
         3 . The computing device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an Android® operating system.   
     
     
         4 . The computing device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an active cooling system configured for cooling said handheld computing device.   
     
     
         5 . The computing device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an internal battery source.   
     
     
         6 . The computing device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a communication interface configured to connect said computing device to a network;   a front-end portal application executable by said handheld computing device, wherein said application is affiliated with an entity associated with said handheld computing device, wherein said application is configured to provide notification of games such as, said gaming application that are supported by said handheld computing device, wherein upon receiving a selection by a user for purchasing said gaming application said portal application is configured to navigate to a third party content provider selling said gaming application, and facilitating installation of said gaming application on said handheld device.   
     
     
         7 . The computing device of  claim 6 , wherein said front-end portal application comprises a social networking platform. 
     
     
         8 . The computing device of  claim 6 , wherein said front-end portal application periodically receives updates from a back end server associated with said entity. 
     
     
         9 . The computing device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a video encoder for encoding video from said gaming application into a video stream; and   a peer-to-peer communication interface configured to transmit said video stream to a second device for display.   
     
     
         10 . The computing device of  claim 9 , wherein said video encoder encodes said video using an H.264 format. 
     
     
         11 . The computing device of  claim 9 , wherein said second device is taken from a group consisting essentially of:
 a display receiver;   a cable set-top box;   a micro-console;   an HD television;   an HD monitor;   a second computing device configured as said computing device of  claim 1 .   
     
     
         12 . The computing device of  claim 9 , wherein said communication interface comprises a wired interface or a wireless interface. 
     
     
         13 . A method for computing, comprising:
 executing a gaming application on a handheld computing device;   receiving an input originating from at least one control button, wherein said input provides an instruction for said gaming application; and   displaying video of said gaming application on a high definition display of said handheld computing device.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 executing a front-end portal application on said handheld computing device, wherein said application is affiliated with an entity associated with said handheld computing device, wherein said application is configured to provide notification of games such as, said gaming application that are supported by said handheld computing device;   receiving a selection by a user for purchasing said gaming application;   connecting said handheld computing device to network through a communication interface;   navigating to a third party content provider selling said gaming application through said network; and   facilitating installation of said gaming application on said handheld device.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 encoding video from said gaming application into a video stream; and   establishing a peer-to-peer communication with a second device;   transmitting said video stream over said peer-to-peer communication to said second device for display.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said video encoder encodes said video using an H.264 format. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said second device is taken from a group consisting essentially of:
 a display receiver;   a cable set-top box;   a micro-console;   an HD television;   an HD monitor;   a second handheld computing device configured to execute another version of said gaming application for purposes of multi-player gaming.   
     
     
         18 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for causing a computer system to perform a method comprising:
 executing a gaming application on a handheld computing device;   receiving an input originating from at least one control button, wherein said input provides an instruction for said gaming application; and   displaying video of said gaming application on a high definition display of said handheld computing device.   
     
     
         19 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 18 , wherein said method further comprises:
 encoding video from said gaming application into a video stream; and   establishing a peer-to-peer communication with a second device;   transmitting said video stream over said peer-to-peer communication to said second device for display.   
     
     
         20 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 18 , wherein said method further comprises:
 executing a front-end portal application on said handheld computing device, wherein said application is affiliated with an entity associated with said handheld computing device, wherein said application is configured to provide notification of games such as, said gaming application that are supported by said handheld computing device,   receiving a selection by a user for purchasing said gaming application;   connecting said handheld computing device to network through a communication interface;   navigating to a third party content provider selling said gaming application through said network; and   facilitating installation of said gaming application on said handheld device.