With Google apparently showing interest in video games and now based off a report by Engadget that Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) will support USB gamepads and HDMI, you might be able to turn your future Android phone and tablet into a nifty game console!

Google framework engineer, Romain Guy, has confirmed on his Twitter account that the same USB game controller support featured in Honeycomb will make it into Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS). In addition, HDMI will work nice with that functionality, allowing you to connect your Android phone to a TV while having a controller connected, instantly turning your smartphone into a sexy little game console.

I can only imagine the possibilities if these technologies gain steam with game developers.  Android smartphones are slated to get quad-core processors early next year so hardware performance will not be an issue. Could this be Google’s not so subtle way of getting into gaming? Probably or at the very least, it leaves the door open for future developments. This is an intriguing story I will be sure to keep an eye on and update in the future.