Another "stick" type computer for stream video to your TV that runs Android. This one notably starts at $50 and runs Jelly Bean.
FAVI SmartStick can turn any HDTV into an Android-powered smart TV for $50 http://www.bgr.com/2012/09/29/favi-smartstick-smart-tv-dongle-android/ [Article incorrectly identifies the Android version as ICS.] SmartStick by FAVI brings Android to your HDTV for $50 http://www.slashgear.com/smartstick-by-favi-brings-android-to-your-hdtv-for-50-28249638/ There's about to be a brand new smart TV in your living room with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, wireless streaming abilities, and no more than a $50 price tag, all of this in a tiny dongle: FAVI's Streaming Stick. ... Plug it in to the HDMI port, plug a mini-USB cord into the side of the stick for power, and connect your wireless keyboard and mouse for next-level Android-based media engagement! This device comes by itself with a simple remote control or you can pay an extra $39.99 for FAVI's own mini wireless keyboard and touchpad mouse. You can also connect with DLNA and the device's own MediaSHARE app so you can stream media from your computer to the device. You've got Google Play on the device right on the device right out of the box, and it all connects to the web via wi-fi. The stick works with a slightly modified version of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean made specifically for the television... This device is up for pre-order now and will be shipping in October, coming in two iterations - the first is a 4GB internal storage version for $49, the second is $79 and includes 8GB of internal storage. Pretty much the same as the other Asian made sticks running Android, except this vendor has a bit better polish to their marketing and demo videos. I'm a little confused as to what qualifies an Android device to run the Google Play store app. My understanding was that in order to do that the vendor have to be a proper licensee, yet I wasn't aware of Google licensing vendors to compete with the Google TV products unless they also use the Google TV version of Android and the Google TV branding. Anyone understand how the licensing works? Vendor's site (seems to also list an Android version older than what they use in their press release): http://www.favientertainment.com/SmartStick-p/ss-4gb.htm * OS: Android (4.0) * Resolution: 720P, 1080P (HDMI) * Microprocessor: ARM Cortex-A9 @ 1.0 Ghz * RAM: 1GB DDR3 SDRam * Built-in WiFi: 802.11 b/g/n * Storage: 4GB * USB Port: 2.0 * Mini USB: DC Input, * Micro SD: Up to 32GB * Remote Control: Infrared * Dimensions: 3.6" x 1.3" x 0.6" * Weight: 0.08 lb. No mention of GPU or video acceleration. Probably can boot XBMC. Power supply not included. $14 extra, or source your own USB charger for less. (Some competing sticks will use MHL instead of HDMI. MHL multiplexes HDMI signals onto fewer wires and supplies power, like USB, to the connected device. Roku sticks use MHL. Haven't seen a "generic" Android stick that does yet. Not particularly useful unless you have a very recent TV with an MHL port.) At only $20 more than a Raspberry Pi, should be a much better option if you just want a packaged media player, rather than a board for hacking. -Tom _______________________________________________ Hardwarehacking mailing list [email protected] http://lists.blu.org/mailman/listinfo/hardwarehacking
