If you want to go for a portable gaming console your options are rather limited, since you are pretty much forced to choose between Nintendo's and Sony's offerings, but Panasonic is set to challenge the two with it's own Jungle console that targets MMORPG players.

Not that much information is available at this moment concerning the Jungle, although we do know this clamshell device will come with a high resolution display and a full QWERTY keyboard, while dual touch sensitive D-pads will also find their way on the feature list.

The operating system of choice seems to be a custom Linux build, not the first OS that went trough my mind when I thought about a gaming console, Panasonic also demoing a Battlestar Galactica game in the teaser video it released not so long ago.

Hardware-wise we don't get any info regarding what is powering this thing, although it has to sport some pretty decent hardware since it features an HDMI output, this being also accompanied by a micro-USB port and a 3.5mm stereo out jack.

What's interesting to note however, is this isn't Panasonic's first foray into the console gaming market, more then 15 years ago, the Japanese company releasing the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer, that was pretty advanced for its time, although it's high price tag and limited developer support prevented this from becoming a hit.

Let's just hope the Jungle will do better as it would be nice to have another major manufacturer join the portable console market, since it's pretty lonely out there with only Sony and Nintendo to keep us company. (via CrunchGear)