Pocket TV Android computer turns any TV into a 'Smart TV'

The project, by developer Infinitec, has already been fully funded on Kickstarter in less than a week.

Pocket TV is the latest of the "mini computer" trend that started with the "Cotton Candy" and "Raspberry Pi."

The HDMI dongle houses a full mini Android 4.0-based computer and includes a 1GHz ARM Cortex A9 CPU, 512MB of RAM, and 4GB of internal storage. The device has a male HDMI plug and can be directly plugged into any open HDMI slot in your TV. Thanks to Wi-Fi, the dongle instantly turns your HDTV into a Smart TV, with access to the Internet and apps in the Google Play Store.

Additionally, the dongle has a microSD slot, a USB 2.0 port and comes bundled with a standard IR remote. For a higher price, you can get an "Air Remote," which includes a full QWERTY keyboard and a gyroscope.

When it goes to retail, the Pocket TV will sell for $160 or $190 with the Air Remote, but you can get it much cheaper through Kickstarter, for $110 or $135, respectively.

Check it here (with pictures): Kickstarter

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 9 Jun 2012 16:23

cyprusrom

Looks interesting...Suddenly, too many choices make for a tough decision...This device, the "Cotton Candy", Raspberry Pi, the Always Innovating HDMI Dongle...Hopefully competition will drive the prices down.

10.6.2012 02:56 #1

SAW_FIEND

Price?

OH YES ... THERE WILL BE BLOOD.

10.6.2012 02:58 #2

SomeBozo

Originally posted by SAW_FIEND: Price? Read the full article... (last paragraph)

When it goes to retail, the Pocket TV will sell for $160 or $190 with the Air Remote, but you can get it much cheaper through Kickstarter, for $110 or $135, respectively.

10.6.2012 03:07 #3

dali

Power? AC adapter? HDMI ports aren't powered, unlike USB, which are

"You know, it seems that quotes on the internet are becoming less and less reliable." -Abraham Lincoln.

10.6.2012 08:23 #4

dali

Originally posted by dali: Power? AC adapter? HDMI ports aren't powered, unlike USB, which are
Alright, got it, from their website:

"Does the Pocket TV need power?
Yes. The Pocket TV has a mini USB port for power. You can power it up by using a USB cable and connect it to the USB port of your TV or by using any standard mini USB charger.

Is a charger included with the device?
Yes. Both a USB cable and a charger are included."

Maybe they should make the charger and cable thing an option, so the device could be even cheaper.

"You know, it seems that quotes on the internet are becoming less and less reliable." -Abraham Lincoln.

10.6.2012 08:29 #5

Jeffrey_P

Originally posted by dali: Power? AC adapter? HDMI ports aren't powered, unlike USB, which are http://infinitec.com/pocket_tv/kickstarter/09.jpg

Jeff

10.6.2012 08:31 #6

empulse

Confused this isn't new, and if anything I am asking did they/he "barrow" the design?

see:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pre-order-MK802...=item4166981a8a

These are all over, made in china. He could order 1000's of them from ebay and never have to build a single device. Unless he reversed it and made significant changes, which apparently they didn't.

So why is this amazing again?

10.6.2012 09:55 #7

dali

empulse, you're right; the only difference I see between those two is the male HDMI connector in the latest one. Quite a difference, though, but it's also obviously more expensive.

"You know, it seems that quotes on the internet are becoming less and less reliable." -Abraham Lincoln.

10.6.2012 16:39 #8

Interestx

Why so stingy on the RAM?
Even phones are breaking the 1gb barrier & with RAM so cheap why not give it a gb or 2?
Even if it isn't vital now it could go a long way to keeping the device current with apps & games etc as they get more memory hungry, surely?

10.6.2012 20:04 #9

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