Kogan have announced an "Agora Smart TV HDMI Dongle", will be available
from 31 July 2012 for $99:
http://www.kogan.com/au/buy/agora-smart-tv-hdmi-dongle/
This is a tiny desktop computer designed to plug into the HDMI video
port on a digital TV (or computer monitor) to turn it into a Google
Android computer. This could be useful to have at home to complement an
Android smart phone. While intended for entertainment, with a keyboard
and mouse (or touch-pad) this would be sufficient for web access and
might be useful for undertaking online courses, particularly where web
based applications and "Apps" are being used for education.
The device has WiFi, a full size USB socket and a microSD slot. It is
powered via a miniUSB socket. One feature lacking from the Dongle is
Bluetooth for a remote keyboard, although a TV type hand-held remote
control is provided.
To use the Dongle as a desktop computer, a keyboard would be needed.
Kogan offer their own "Android Deluxe Wireless Keyboard & Trackpad", but
this is too small for serious typing:
http://www.kogan.com/au/buy/dlx-android-wireless-keyboard-trackpad/
Agora is the brand name Kogan give their low cost computer range. I have
the Kogan Ultra Portable Agora 12" Laptop, which has proven very
reliable and useful:
http://blog.tomw.net.au/2011/06/kogan-agora-laptop-at-sydney-linux.html
Agora Smart TV HDMI Dongle Technical Specifications
Connectivity
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Display Resolution 920 x 1080
General Dimensions 9.045 x 3.396 x 1.55cm
OS Android 4.0 ICS
Hardware
CPU Cortex A9 1GHz
Internal Storage 4GB
RAM 512MB
Inputs
Card Reader microSD up to 32GB
USB 2.0 USB drives up to 32GB
miniUSB Power only
Outputs HDMI
Hardware GPU Mali 400
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Tom Worthington FACS CP, TomW Communications Pty Ltd. t: 0419496150
PO Box 13, Belconnen ACT 2617, Australia http://www.tomw.net.au
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards
Legislation
Adjunct Lecturer, Research School of Computer Science,
Australian National University http://cs.anu.edu.au/courses/COMP7310/
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