[Elect] Android 4 on a stick - convert your TV to a Smart TV with Android (from USD$40)

[BB88]

So you have heard about the ideas, and some high-key products like FXI Cotton Candy. But I just read that there are alternatives at a lower price...
Source: http://liliputing.com/2012/05/74-pc-...droid-4-0.html

I first heard of this idea from Always Innovating, but I think it no longer manufactures the items, but instead licensing the idea. Not sure if they are the first who came out with this idea though.

Options (in chronological orders when I found them):
- USD$42 (1GB with MK802 II) http://www.aliexpress.com/product-fm...olesalers.html
- USD$110+ (1GB) http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...-tv-a-smart-tv
- USD$44 (1GB with MK802) http://dx.com/p/android-4-0-mini-pc-...ite-4gb-137012
- USD$38 (512MB with MK802) http://www.pandawill.com/cx01-mini-a...gb-p63620.html
- USD$46 (1GB with UG802 Rockchip 3066 dual-core) http://www.in4dealz.com/deals/Dual-C...TV-Box-600195/
- USD$40(1GB with MK802+) http://www.geekbuying.com/item/In-St...02-307558.html
- USD$45 (1GB with UG802) http://www.geekbuying.com/item/In-St...st-306693.html
- USD$41 (1GB with MK808 and Android 4.2 JellyBean) http://www.geekbuying.com/item/MK808...ck-307415.html
- USD$43 (1GB with MK808B and Android 4.2) http://www.geekbuying.com/item/MK808...ck-313213.html

Note that I don't have experience with these sites except dx.
Also, except the kickstarter one, the others do not come with any input control device, so you have to buy something like an Air Mouse/Keyboard to control it. Some people also reports that you can use your Android phone as a remote with this server/client app:
http://liliputing.com/2012/06/droidm...02-remote.html
https://play.google.com/store/search?q=droidmote

Differences between the MK802, UG802, MK808
http://liliputing.com/2012/09/ug802-...low-as-69.html
http://www.squidoo.com/mk808-dual-core-android-mini-pc
http://www.shenzhenpc2u.com/2012/09/...-4-1-tv-stick/

UPDATE May 30, 2012
Today I read about yet another similar stick which seems even cooler just because it includes 2 different remotes of your choice (a normal remote or a full qwerty keyboard). It also has a more well-known Cortex A9 CPU:
Alternative? (Starting from USD$99) http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...-tv-a-smart-tv
It's still a kick-starter, so no one knows when it will ship
Already funded, so you can no longer purchase it until it's out

UPDATE Jun 4, 2012
Dealextreme finally carries it. It's a site that many RFDers are familiar with and feel safer to order from.

UPDATE Jun 19, 2012
Yet another option without a microsd card slot, but cost only $53

UPDATE Jul 3, 2012
TomTop has a 1GB version for $79. Many RFDer will be familiar with TomTop with the nice CREE flashlight.

UPDATE Aug 7, 2012
A couple places have increased the the RAM to 1GB and lowered their prices.

UPDATE Sep 7, 2012
Added another model using a 1.2GHz Cortex-A9 Rockchip 3066 CPU (UG802)

UPDATE Oct 6, 2012
Added another model using MK802+ with 1GB ram for $40 only!

UPDATE Oct 11, 2012
Added information about Droidmote, a server/client app that allows you to turns your Android phone into a remote for the MK802 at least.
Added a MK808 model with Android 4.1 JellyBean

UPDATE Dec 13, 2012
Added another model based on UHost U1A chip??? Probably another Allwinner A10 variant, with wifi-n support. $35
See this post for details: http://forums.redflagdeals.com/andro.../#post15963439

UPDATED May 10, 2013
Added one with MK808B with built-in bluetooth.
Removed a couple ones that are no longer listed. Wonder if I should remove all the old models altogether.

[Fantaz]

That looks pretty nice actually. Combine with a USB hub and that 32GB MicroSD deal from earlier and everything's under $100 all in.

[ToniCipriani]

As much as I want to try using Aliexpress (esp with their Gee Cee R cashback deal...), no PayPal kinda turns me away.

I'll wait for DX to carry it, which shouldn't be long.

[geokilla]

So... What's the purpose of this?

[Malta]

I love the idea but I'm kind of at a loss for how these things work. For example, what do I use for input? i assume that I can download something like say, the Netflix app for android and watch Netflix on my TV, but how do I control it?

[BB88]

I love the idea but I'm kind of at a loss for how these things work. For example, what do I use for input? i assume that I can download something like say, the Netflix app for android and watch Netflix on my TV, but how do I control it?

If I had to guess, one should be able to download some kind of app so that you an control it with your smartphone, just like those Samsung remote app.

[brunes]

I love the idea but I'm kind of at a loss for how these things work. For example, what do I use for input? i assume that I can download something like say, the Netflix app for android and watch Netflix on my TV, but how do I control it?

You plug in a wireless mouse to the USB port.

OP is confusing things talking about the USB port on the TV. You would not use that at all. The USB port on this is a USB *HOST* port, for a mouse or keyboard or other device. So you power this thing from a Micro USB, then plug HDMI into one side and USB mouse into the other.

The real question I have is - can this thing actually play x264 MKVs. It does not appear to have the horsepower for this IMO. Can probably do Hulu and Netflix though.

[DragOnT]

Why not consider a Raspberry Pi. The price ranges from $25 to $35 US.

[ToniCipriani]

Why not consider a Raspberry Pi. The price ranges from $25 to $35 US.

This thing's actually a bit more powerful with the Cortex A8. Also runs Android 4.0 out of the box, where RPi it's still being worked on.

Though I guess on the long run the community support is better with RPi, this is good for something if you just want to play with now.

[asianraver]

You plug in a wireless mouse to the USB port.

OP is confusing things talking about the USB port on the TV. You would not use that at all. The USB port on this is a USB *HOST* port, for a mouse or keyboard or other device. So you power this thing from a Micro USB, then plug HDMI into one side and USB mouse into the other.

The real question I have is - can this thing actually play x264 MKVs. It does not appear to have the horsepower for this IMO. Can probably do Hulu and Netflix though.

Why do you think it can't play x264 MKV's?
I think it lists right on the specs page:

Video

WMV/ASF/MP4/3GP/3G2M4V/AVI/MJPEG/RV10/DivX/VC-1/MPEG-2/

MPEG-4/H.263/H.264/1280*720P HD 30 fps, 1080P/720*480 D1 30fps

[BB88]

You plug in a wireless mouse to the USB port.

OP is confusing things talking about the USB port on the TV. You would not use that at all. The USB port on this is a USB *HOST* port, for a mouse or keyboard or other device. So you power this thing from a Micro USB, then plug HDMI into one side and USB mouse into the other.

The real question I have is - can this thing actually play x264 MKVs. It does not appear to have the horsepower for this IMO. Can probably do Hulu and Netflix though.

Sorry, I have probably confused this with the USB dongle/Cotton Candy.... I thought this thing plugs to the USB port of the TV, but it looks like it uses a power adapter instead, which is actually more flexible. Though I'm not sure since there is no clear wordings around the power input.

[mark_in_2k]

Would be great to see XBMC / OpenElec ported to one of these systems.

[sansp00]

I like the idea, but the fact that it carries only 512 mb to run ICS (which officially requires 1 gb) and from what I can find a single core chip is like borderline specs.
I would not expect great performance from such a device.

[Thumper]

It this the same or another one:
http://www.zero-devices.com/

Like the idea of it being Wi-FI, it that is true?

[BB88]

It this the same or another one:
http://www.zero-devices.com/

Like the idea of it being Wi-FI, it that is true?

This is the alternative 2. Unfortunately RFD referral link messed up the URL.