If you have an HDTV but didn't shell out the extra cash for a Smart TV, the FAVI SmartStick may be the perfect solution for your streaming needs. It's $50, plugs right into your television, and best of all, it's powered by Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.
The FAVI SmartStick plugs into your TV's HDMI port and uses a mini-USB cord for power. Control it using the included remote or an options wireless mouse and keyboard, and you've got a brand new Smart TV in your living room that happens to look just like your old one.
The SmartStick can use DLNA to stream files from your computer to your television in addition to streaming. There are several video streaming services supported, including Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, HBO Go and Crackle. The audio services supported include Pandora, Spotify and Google Play Music.
In addition to all the video and audio, users can also install apps from the Google Play Store, as long as they don't require a specific processor. The $50 SmartStick includes 4GB of storage, while $80 gets you 8GB of storage. For $40 extra, you can also throw in a wireless mouse and keyboard.
In addition to the mini-USB port it uses for power, the FAVI SmartStick includes a 3.5mm audio port and a full size USB port that you can use to plug in your own wireless mouse and keyboard, or a USB hub for more devices. While it would be nice to see an optical or coaxial connection for digital audio, that is not realistic to expect in a device with this form factor at this price.
The sheer amount of stuff that the FAVI SmartStick can stream to your television is detailed in the video below.
That is an awful lot of awesome for one $50 stick that plugs into your television.
Kristofer Wouk is a tech writer, gadget reviewer, blogger, and whatever it's called when someone makes videos. In his free time, he likes to make music, read and write short fiction.
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What is the video performance like with this when using Netflix, HBO Go, WatchESPN, etc? I know the YouTube clip shows them opening the apps, but it never showed video performance.
Jared Persinger
This looks awesome
Dan B
Here are the specs from their site:
OS: Android (4.0)Resolution: 720P, 1080P (HDMI)Microprocessor: ARM Cortex-A9 @ 1.0 GhzRAM: 1GB DDR3 SDRamBuilt-in WiFi: 802.11 b/g/nStorage: 4GBUSB Port: 2.0Mini USB: DC Input,Micro SD: Up to 32GBRemote Control: InfraredDimensions: 3.6″ x 1.3″ x 0.6″Weight: 0.08 lb.
Mei
“For $40 extra, you can also throw in a wireless mouse and keyboard”
Wonder if it’s that same controller shown briefly in video and how well it works.
I wonder when it’ll be rooted? The fact that it’s running 4.1 is awesome… but to run CM10 would shaweet!
Andres Buitrago
like i said, no 4.1 its 4.0.4 and no update for 4.1 has been released yet
Roger Geng
how the hell am i supposed to control it if it doesnt come with a wireless keyboard / mouse. My tv isnt a damn touchscreen
Superfluous Hyperbole
Wait for the version that has MHL and use your remote to control it and get power through the HDMI port.
Cal5150
Control it using the included remote as stated in the second paragraph.
Gerald Smith
Seems like the Nexus 7 could do the same thing if it had the program installed on it.
Superfluous Hyperbole
This is really cool! I can only hope there will be a version with MHL, let you ditch the included remote and no need for wireless keyboard/ mouse or USB charger.
greg jankowski
what about LAN ? My WiFi is being abused by my family as it is….
Zach Armstrong
Looks like a good concept. Hope its successful.
techstuff
You can do the same thing with the Sony SMP N-200 streaming media player – available for $48 on Amazon http://amzn.to/V7UCIK
VNK
Would you rather have another box in front of your tv or a nice stick that’s hidden in an HDMI port on the back of your tv?
sorry_username_already_exists
I’m curious to know how Temple Run (shown at the end) would work on my TV? Unless the remote has a gyro in it, which I doubt…
George
For anyone intrested.
OS: Android (4.0)Resolution: 720P, 1080P (HDMI)Microprocessor: ARM Cortex-A9 @ 1.0 GhzRAM: 1GB DDR3 SDRamBuilt-in WiFi: 802.11 b/g/nStorage: 4GBUSB Port: 2.0Mini USB: DC Input,Micro SD: Up to 32GBRemote Control: InfraredDimensions: 3.6″ x 1.3″ x 0.6″Weight: 0.08 lb.
Corneliusf
It seems to be a smart solution as new ”Internet TV Box”..Quickly to command the one! :-)
ben
My only question that I can’t quite find an answer to is,
Does it have Bluetooth????
Does anyone have an answer?
Andres Buitrago
no bluetooth, if it had then i wouldnt need the reciever for the favi touchpad+keyboard.
Andres Buitrago
just to be clear there is no jelly bean in this devise, just 4.0.4 i wish it was 4.1, got one of those and there are things that need to be fix like better navigation controls for netflix.
Anytyme
The smartstick does not run Jelly Bean, it runs 4.0.4 ICS.