Would you pay a small fee to turn your average HDTV into a smart TV? Always Innovating hopes so. The San Francisco company showed off its HDMI Dongle, which adds Android 4.0 support to non-connected televisions, at this week’s Mobile Web Congress in Barcelona, Spain.
Always Innovating debuted the project at this year’s CES, but this video, posted by Engadget, shows the Android Ice Cream Sandwich-powered dongle in action.
Once plugged into a set’s HDMI and USB port, it instantly adds the full Android ICS suite: the Android Market, game apps, email, web browsing, Netflix streaming and more. The device also comes with a remote that doubles as a motion-sensing game controller — transforming mobile-friendly single-player games like “Cut the Rope” into more family-focused multi-player experiences.
According to the site, Always Innovating won’t actually produce the device, but has already licensed out the all-in-one ICS stick’s technology, with third party manufacturers aiming to sell models for between $50 and $100 by year’s end.
Buying an expensive new smart TV might be a stupid move after all.
8 Comments on Always Innovating wants to make your dumb TV smart with a USB dongle
This dongle is going to cost between 50-99 dollars, and in comparison, comes with wifi, bluetooth and rf capabilities. Comes with an RF remote controller for navigation of apps and also as a game controller. I also liked the interface.
I love the tiny remote.
I was considering building an AMD E350 based HTPC +BDRW for close to $500, but it looks like I can get two of these, rather than the old-hat software based solution, and have enough change left over for a pair of bluray players.
I can see a lot of people wanting something like that.
Wombler
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Originally Posted by BradWright
I wonder what this thing actually uses the USB port for (power maybe?). As far as I know, the only thing that can be done with my TV's USB port is upgrading the firmware with a thumb drive. I don't think it has any other uses, so I wonder if this would work on my TV. Any suggestions/advice from all you CE gurus?
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The guy in the videos on the page olyteddy linked to confirms it's for power only.
You should watch those videos as well as I think this gadget looks impressive.
Wombler
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Originally Posted by Wombler
According to the girl in the video it's for power.
The guy in the videos on the page olyteddy linked to confirms it's for power only. You should watch those videos as well as I think this gadget looks impressive. Wombler |
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Originally Posted by Wombler
According to the girl in the video it's for power.
The guy in the videos on the page olyteddy linked to confirms it's for power only. Wombler |
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