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Forget Raspberry PI How About Android on a Stick!

AndiMarch 14, 2012

Following on from the success of the Raspberry PI a Hong Kong based electronics group have produced their own “Android on a Stick” uPC device which can turn you existing TV or PCmonitor in to an Android based computer!‌The uPC Android on a stick looks and operates just how you would expect. The whole unit is housed in a casing not much larger than a USB thumb drive and once attached you your existing TV turns in to an Android based media PC.

The idea follows on from the success of the recently launched Raspberry PI, which has seen sales topping 60,000 a day!, however there are some quite noticeable differences between the Raspberry PI unit and this Android on a stick.

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Off the bat the Android on a stick unit is much smaller than the PI, but not only that but the smaller form factor actually houses some quite impressive hardware such as a dual core ARM Cortex A9 CPU running at 533mhz, 512mb RAM, 4GB built in storage, built in Wi-Fi and a built in microphone.

The addition of Wi-fi, built in memory and a microphone are obvious advantages the Android on a stick offers over the Raspberry PI, these and also the fact the Android operating system has thousands of fantastic apps and games just waiting for the chance to be unleashed on your wide screen TV!

There has been no mention of a retail price as the unit is being as an OEM unit, however we guesstimate from the prices we’ve heard that Android on a stick could be on the market at around the $70 price mark!

If you would like more information about Android on a stick or any of the other Chinese made gadgets and devices we feature on Gizchina.com, contact us now!

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About the author
Andi

Dom
March 14, 2012
I think the idea behind the Raspberry Pi is to teach children how to program.. how will this achieve that. Also there doesn’t seem to be any additional headers for further development
Guest
March 14, 2012
I think the idea behind the Raspberry Pi is to teach children how to program.. how will this achieve that. Also there doesn’t seem to be any additional headers for further development

Fred
January 16, 2013
um… NO. Looking at the specs, it’s just as much a waste as the PI. You have to spend $50 or so on top of the base price of the device to be able to actually hook everything up and do something useful with it.
Powerd USB port (because of the lack of sufficient ports)
HDMI cable (expensive)
Just to name the obvious other expenses.
These things should be made so people can use their old junk. I have 3 CRT monitors in the attic and can’t use one with the PI and definitely not with this Android on a stick. I want decent amount of storage which requires a external hard drive or USB stick (powered) and then need another USB for mouse and keyboard. So obviously I’m going to have to buy a powered usb hub.
Seriously, these things are made in China out of crap. Why do they cost more than $5?
- Tom
  February 6, 2013
  HDMI cables aren’t expensive, if they are you are shopping in the wrong place. Newegg.com is the a good place to start. Second of all these aren’t meant to be desktop replacements, you want a powerful computer buy one or build one. If you don’t already have USB keyboard and mouse combos and a powered USB hub, then why are you looking at a minimalist bare-bones computer?

Guest
January 17, 2013
um… NO. Looking at the specs, it’s just as much a waste as the PI. You have to spend $50 or so on top of the base price of the device to be able to actually hook everything up and do something useful with it.
Powerd USB port (because of the lack of sufficient ports)
HDMI cable (expensive)
Just to name the obvious other expenses.
These things should be made so people can use their old junk. I have 3 CRT monitors in the attic and can’t use one with the PI and definitely not with this Android on a stick. I want decent amount of storage which requires a external hard drive or USB stick (powered) and then need another USB for mouse and keyboard. So obviously I’m going to have to buy a powered usb hub.
Seriously, these things are made in China out of crap. Why do they cost more than $5?
- Guest
  February 6, 2013
  HDMI cables aren’t expensive, if they are you are shopping in the wrong place. Newegg.com is the a good place to start. Second of all these aren’t meant to be desktop replacements, you want a powerful computer buy one or build one. If you don’t already have USB keyboard and mouse combos and a powered USB hub, then why are you looking at a minimalist bare-bones computer?