Everybody’s talking about smart stuff these days. Smart phones, smart cars and smart alecs…and now there’s the ultimate, the smart TV. What is it? Nothing more than a television which includes a computer of some sort of course. The computer must also connect to the Internet and be able to do important tasks like play games and display program listings. Exotic. In the past you needed to buy a dedicated TV set with it all built in or invest in an expensive add on box to deliver this kind of functionality, but now, thanks to the low cost Android operating system, prices have plummeted.
This Android TV and Wireless Keyboard Kit is a good example of the type of product arriving on the shelves. It features a 2nd generation dual core Android computer with an HDMI out socket which plugs straight into the back of the television via a standard HMDI cable. Power it up, select the right channel on your TV and you’ll be up and running in a minute or two. The wireless Bluetooth keyboard won’t offer the same kind of easy data entry of a PC keyboard, but it will certainly get you around the screen and into the apps you need.
The small Android computer dongle incorporates Bluetooth, 8GB of internal storage memory, WiFi and a microSD slot for up to 32GB of extra storage. It also runs the latest Android 4.1.1 system and has full support for the Google Play app market, so you can download all the games and apps you want to enjoy. Best of all, the whole package comes in at a very competitively priced $83.99 with free shipping. Nice.
The newer device is a lot better:
http://www.willgoo.com/ug007-android-411-jelly-be…
The keyboard can be purchased separately:
http://www.willgoo.com/rc11-portable-wireless-24g…
Er…that's the same product. ?
Yeah. Sorry. I haven't finished my first pot of coffee. I should know better by now than to start commenting before that 8th cup.
Heh, no worries. :)
Looks cool. I just need to upgrade my too-old telly to something with an HDMI. :(
Being able to plug intelligent hardware into the TV using HDMI is great. Take your time picking out that flat screen, though.
Ah yes, now that would be a requirement, Matt. :)
These devices are nice, but for home use, why go with such a fiddly little keyboard?
Cordless keyboards with or without inbuilt mouse/trackball function are available in many shapes and sizes.
Yes, totally agree. I think that it's a price thing though. This combo is very cheap. If you add a full sized wireless keyboard to the kit, you'll spend quite a bit more? (for a decent one anyway).
I bought my ANDROID stick with the 'recommended' keyboard (which cost GBP 18.62) and returned the keyboard for a full refund after one day.
I later managed to get a 88-key cordless keyboard with trackball for EURO 25.90 including postage in a special offer. Works great, plus: see above – it's for home use. What's a keyboard in the scheme of things for home entertainment?
I have one like this. But now It has a problem. When I plug it in TV, It has only letter “R BOX” and nothing more. I want to reset or update firmware to repair it. But I can’t do. Because there isn’t a Reset button on its body. Help me,plz. Thank alot
Hmm…from what I understand, some of these products are prone to over-heating. So if you have kept it plugged in for a long time, you may find that it stalls when trying to boot like this one of yours because one or more of the components has been damaged by too much heat.
I do not think that you can fix this problem. Sorry.