A complete Android system for your TV – not a Chromecast, not an adapter for your phone – no additional hardware required. Android “TV sticks” are mini computers running Android. They have no screen, instead they output directly through HDMI to your HD television. They’re pretty powerful little machines – the equivalent of a mid-range Android tablet.
Rikomagic MK802
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00EJ5IT5A/hardware-muo-20
The Rikomagic MK802 IV is designed to plug directly into an HDMI socket; it looks like a seriously oversized USB stick, but is otherwise completely discreet.
Also inside the box
- USB power adapter (USB cable is not detachable – this can only be used for power)
- HDMI extension cable
- Mini-USB socket to regular USB socket converter for full-size OTG cables.
An HDMI extension cable is provided if the Rikomagic MK802 IV doesn’t fit your television.
Specifications
- RK3188 quad-core
- 2 GB RAM
- 8 GB internal storage
- Built in WiFi B/G/N and Bluetooth
- Android 4.0 OS; HD 1080p
- Support Full HD 1080P/2160P, full format video decoding/HD TV player
Cozyswan (TM) MK812A RK3188
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00EJ5IT5A/hardware-muo-20
MK812A RK3188 Android Smart Mini PC feels cheap from the get-go thanks to the white, flimsy plastic case. It’s designed to be placed flat, on a shelf underneath your TV or near it.
Apart from the form factor – a 1 cm thick credit card shape – this MK812A RK3188 Android Smart Mini PC has two USB host ports (one more than Rikomagic), a headphone socket, and a built-in video camera and microphone. Crucially, this adds Skype and Google Hangout features out of the box.
Also in the box
- HDMI cable
- Mini-USB cable (for power)
- USB power adapter
The unit booted directly into an Android desktop adorned with calendar and clock set for Shenzhen – luckily, the underlying system language was English.
One immediate difference was the addition of a camera icon on the launch bar. Curiously, launching it takes a screenshot, rather than launching a camera application as I was expecting.
Specifications
- RK3188 quad-core CPU
- OS:Google Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
- 1 GB DDR RAM
- 8 GB internal storage
- Built-in B/G/N WiFi and Bluetooth
Pre-Loaded Apps
Unlike the Rikomagic, this MK812A Android Smart Mini PC came pre-loaded with a good number of apps, though nearly all are designed for the Chinese market.
Check out these in this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=yBizEOtdDRA
