OK, this will be interesting if it works: Kogan is selling a $99 HDMI Android Ice Cream Sandwich dongle that plugs into an HDMI port on your TV to add Internet access. If you have a relatively modern TV but don’t have online capabilities, that could be very handy — when it eventually gets delivered.
The device has 4GB of internal storage and outputs at 1920 by 1080. As well as the dongle, you get a separate remote to access the interface. (There will be an optional $39 keyboard and trackpad for more complex interaction — typing with a remote is never fun). Internet access is via Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n), and there’s a micro-SD slot if you want to view downloaded content, plus a USB slot to plug in a drive (potentially handy if your TV doesn’t have one).
A familiar Kogan restriction applies: it’s on sale now, but it won’t ship until August 7. Only yesterday, Kogan delayed shipment and changed specifications on its Android 4.0 tablet, so consider that fair warning.
Update: Having initially said August 7, the site is now listing a July 31 despatch date. Meanwhile, the shipping date for the keyboard is said to be July 16. We’ll update again if a definitive release date is announced.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.