Google TV may not be any closer to landing in Australia yet, but Beyonwiz has hacked together a media player that may tide you over while you wait. The WizOTT is an Android-powered box that offers FullHD media streaming playback plus the widgety joy of an Android device.
Obviously, most apps on the Android Marketplace will be useless on a big screen, but some apps, including Facebook, IMDB and YouTube are all HD panel compatible, while the openness of Android means that there will be more TV-compatible apps in the future.
Currently running Eclair (but with a Froyo update in the works), HDMI 1.3, two USB ports, it’s a fairly barebones media device, made interesting by its use of Android as an OS. Wireless N is only available through an optional dongle.
The WizOTT costs $249, which sounds cheap, but doesn’t include any storage other than the tiny bit of flash memory Android is running off. That’s cheaper than a new “Smart” TV though…
[Beyonwiz]
David Anderton
Monday, April 11, 2011 at 4:07 PMSounds crap, if it had a HD tuner built in might be worth it!
Simon Reidy
Monday, April 11, 2011 at 4:36 PMNo storage, no tuner, no interest.
Daniel
Monday, April 11, 2011 at 7:12 PMIt will be much more interesting to see what DViCO can do with the new android based media streamer (the A1), not sure on a tuner as yet, but does support an changeable internal hard drive.
Dan
Monday, April 18, 2011 at 7:07 PMUnit supports an Internal 2.5″ HDD as far as i’m aware.
Testing the unit now – seems pretty cool. Be interesting to see what kind of useful apps they can come up with.