School me on 'Android on a stick' devices

[DJSapp]

So I randomly heard about these android on a stick HDMI/USB devices. Basically, using a HDMI connection and USB for power, they turn TV's and monitors into giant android os's.



Starting at $30.



Are these for real? If so, is there one that is significantly better than another?

[Cruiser]

Been contemplating buying one of these myself and I'd have already done it if I didn't already have Roku's for all the tv's in the house and a laptop (with a broken screen) as well on the main tv. It seems like a really cool concept though. I love the idea of a simple Android OS running off a tiny little computer and plugged into a big ole tv. My main concern is the availability of android updates. I suspect that, as a result of having several different manufacturers using a variety of hardware setups, the device that I might buy today which is running 4.0 will never see an update to newer versions of the OS. That would potentially leave the device with limited utility later on. Other than that though I can't see much of a downside. Heck, the pricepoints almost make them disposable anyway. So maybe you get a year or two out of one of them and then buy a new one if android changes significantly enough to warrant it.

edit: This one seems to be cheap and well reviewed.
http://www.geekbuying.com/item/UHost...ay-306475.html

[DJSapp]

Bump. Nobody has seen these?

My phone is better than yours.

[DasBlunt]

do you need an external keyboard?

Roku is getting boring for me.

[DJSapp]

Yes, a lot of them have built in bluetooth, so just a wireless keyboard and mouse and you're good to go.

[MontuckyFried]

I currently have a Boxee Box that I love, but I was not aware that the Android sticks were out already! I remember hearing about them being developed, but dang that was quick to come to market. That thing would be perfect for my traveling, or even to use at my vacation rental. Nice and concealable for my future mounted flatscreen. Cheap, too!

Keenly interested in learning more.

[RShea]

They basically help turn a TV into a smart TV or a basic computer. If you want streaming, web browsing, media, etc. to a TV then consider them. They are not the end all and be all for everyone though. Main issues are limited storage (typically they have a bit of flash memory built in and support for memory cards like a camera or cell phone can handle up to say 32 or 64 gb.) So compared to one of the Roku type boxes (which have hard drives of 500 gb and up to dump your movies, music, media files onto) you are relying on fast internet and cloud storage to make the Droid on a stick devices handle everything. You still need some sort of keyboard and/or mouse too to connect and move around- probably wireless adding to the price.

One of the cheapest deals I have seen is this one (now sold out and ships from outside the USA)
http://dx.com/p/u2-mini-android-4-0-...iii-1gb-145864

As for is one better than the other. Basically the processor inside these can be all over the board, same for the OS and what media and apps they can handle are the major differences. All sorts of new streaming and with it the quality, compression, and compatibility with things like Hula, Netflix, etc. for TV, movies and content.

[stfu&gbtw]

All the OS without any of the processing power. If you need a cell phone, minus the phone, go for it. Ideal for those people who like the convience of a tablet without the convenience of a tablet. I should see if I can find a good HDMI -> UHF adapter so I can hook it up to my old 12" b/w.

[DJSapp]

@RShea: Yeah, I understand what they claim to do, I just haven't found any review anywhere and there's a ton of these devices (the common complaint seems to be that the wifi antenna is weak, but none of them seem to have a more detailed review than that).

My two big ideas seem to be well suited for their function:

1. Plug one into my home theater receiver. Stream netflix, hulu, amazon prime, pandora, etc. on the big screen and through the big speakers
1a. Connect it to the projector at work for 100" lulz?
2. Make a poor man's 'TV' out of an old 21" LCD flat screen using a dvi->hdmi adapter. Stream netflix, hulu, amazon prime, etc.

Maybe get crazy and network it to the desktop for access to the media library.

Both of these rely heavily on the wifi abilities not sucking.

[milton]

XBMC on a RasberryPi is intriguing.

[DasBlunt]

USB to HDMI possible? adapter?

[MontuckyFried]

All the OS without any of the processing power. If you need a cell phone, minus the phone, go for it. Ideal for those people who like the convience of a tablet without the convenience of a tablet. I should see if I can find a good HDMI -> UHF adapter so I can hook it up to my old 12" b/w.

You obviously have zero clue what you're talking about, and apparently have no idea what the true purpose of these things are. I'll save the frustration of a pointless internet debate and let you figure it out on your own. I'll give you a clue tho.

M.
K.
V.

XBMC on a RasberryPi is intriguing.

Agreed! I'm looking into that myself. Awesome little computer.

[mmmthmtskier]

There's been a lot of buzz on slickdeals.net(use the search function and read the threads with a lot of posts) over the past several months, here's what's been written already:
These are basically tablets sans screens.
Most are shipped from China so delivery service is spotty(many weeks to several months).
Issues: Heat, wifi, and stuttering are the most mentioned. There aren't a lot of real-world-type reviews of these yet which gives you the impression that you are kinda being used as a product guinea pig.
XBMC/Plex support is slow coming because developers are not releasing product info quickly enough.
Because of heat issues, a dual-core processor is not going to guarantee a quicker, more reliable experience.

Definitely, WIP. I'd wait a few more months to counter the 'guinea pig' factor...

[stfu&gbtw]

You obviously have zero clue what you're talking about, and apparently have no idea what the true purpose of these things are. I'll save the frustration of a pointless internet debate and let you figure it out on your own. I'll give you a clue tho.

M.
K.
V.


Agreed! I'm looking into that myself. Awesome little computer.

I wasn't suggesting the video output sucks - just joking about the impracticality of a tablet without the tablet.

[RShea]

First one I have actually seen demoed is one called the Smartstick from Favi Entertainment. They do small projectors and other Entertainment solutions also for Professional and home use.

[pepperdawg]

Can they be used to view neeekid women?

[DJSapp]

So I took the plunge and got a MINIX NEO G4. Read some reviews and this one had the best wifi (least sucky), and it has a strong signal in the back of my house. It took 10 days to arrive from China, but that's not too terrible all things considered. Hooked it up last night, and it delivers. Angry birds, netflix, and yes neeekid wimins on your TeeVee.

It comes with a remote for basic navigation, but you can find a wireless mouse for under $10 pretty easy these days. I haven't tried their app to make my phone and tablet a remote yet, but the reviews on that are positive. Cool shit.

http://www.geekbuying.com/item/NEO-G...ot-312378.html

[Chugachjed]

Can they be used to view neeekid women?

Why else would they have invented it?