Over the last few years, Jio has branched out into a variety of new product and service categories, but we may have just discovered its most shocking entry yet, yes its gaming consoles. Jio Gaming Console has recently received BIS certification.
Jio has been a true tech disruptor in a variety of industries, including telecommunications, entertainment, fiber, messaging, payments, and others. It even has a hardware line that includes feature phones and will eventually include smartphones. Until now, entering crowded categories with offerings that undercut the competitors has been a common theme. That could change in the near future.
Tipster Mukul Sharma aka Stufflistings has discovered a Jio hardware device (Jio Gaming Console) certified for launch in India on the Bureau of Indian Standards website. It was registered under the “electronic games (video)” category, with a description that says “handheld games.”
There isn’t much information to go on, but Jio isn’t a common sighting on the BIS (apart from batteries and phones), so this is a significant leak. It has the model number “JGC100”, the internal name for a “Jio gaming console” might be “JGC,” with the “100” indicating the first device in the series.
India’s gaming console business, particularly handheld gaming consoles, is still in development. The Nintendo Switch, widely regarded as the best handheld gaming console, isn’t even available in the country. Jio isn’t known for pursuing niche markets, so an entry into this one would be surprising.
Apart from the model number, there isn’t much information on the rumoured Jio Gaming Console, so don’t hold your breath on this one. Even more than a year after the announcement, Jio’s previous hardware announcements, such as AR glasses, are yet to be seen. Perhaps during the debut of the JioPhone Next in September, we will gain a better understanding of the gaming platform.