Turn Any Screen Into an Android Station with Dual-Core CPU Equipped USB Stick

[dgstorm]

Now, this isn't something you see everyday... a Norwegian company called FXI technologies just unveiled a nifty new product. It is a USB stick with a dual-core CPU inside and an Android OS onboard. The idea behind the device is called “Any Screen Computing," and it allows you to turn any any TV, laptop, phone, tablet, or set-top box into a dummy terminal with Android at its helm. The device is actually called "The Cotton Candy" referring to its weight similar to a bag of the sugary treat. The amazing little device even has a USB connector on one end and an HDMI on the other. In fact, most of its specs put many other devices to shame. Here's a breakdown:

• Dual-core 1.2-GHz Samsung Exynos ARM CPU (same as in the Galaxy S II)
• 802.11n Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth
• HDMI-out
• A microSD card slot for memory
• Android 2.3/Gingerbread

Here's a quote from the article source with a description of some of its functions and capabilities,

The Cotton Candy has a USB 2.0 connector on one end and an HDMI jack on the other. When connected to an HDTV, it uses the HDMI port for video, the USB for power, and Bluetooth to connect to a keyboard, mouse, or tablet for controlling the operating system. The device can output up to 1080p so even a full HD screen can display the Candy’s preloaded Android 2.3 operating system at its native resolution. The dual core CPU is powerful enough to play local 1080p video or stream HD clips from the Web.

When you plug the Cotton Candy into a Mac or PC, the Windows or OS X operating system recognizes it as a USB drive. You can then launch the software and run the Cotton Candy’s Android environment in a secure window while you use your desktop OS outside the window. You can even transfer files between your notebook’s native OS and the Cotton Candy’s Android environment by dragging them off or on the USB stick’s memory.

Although the manufacturer hasn't set a price or time-frame for availability, they did share that it will more than likely be less than $200 bucks. This is a an impressive device, to say the least, and its developers really were thinking outside the box when they came up with the idea for this. You can see more pics of the device at the source link below. What do you guys think?

Thanks to our tipster, DesktopDevin!

Source: LaptopMag Blog

 

[tjk629]

I had an idea like this at one time. Just it would be housed in a mouse.

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[screaminz2002]

This is absolute genius.. I will surely be watching this.

 

[Atom702]

Brilliant. I would use this device all over my house.

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[OneTenderRebel]

wow, that's pretty impressive, so if I understand correctly, I could plug this into my mac and it runs Android? Or my TV and it will run android?

 

[darkmatter]

Hmm. this is interesting, could be great for console emulators.

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[Sweettooth]

Neat! I know we hear (read?) it all the time but it's amazing how far technology has come. I realize current technology spawns off of old technology but you really have to imagine the technological geniuses of the 50's and 60's would do an epic face palm when they saw a computer on a flash drive...or maybe even the flash drive itself lol

 

[enkryptik]

....I....Want.....!!!

 

[darkmatter]

I see Apple applying for a patent for this, and then somehow getting an injunction against it...

They've already set a pecedent for getting patents for tech that hit the market before they applied for it....

There's got to be a way to get the windowed mode when plugged into a computer to work on phones, right?

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[ukyfan]

Nice. This is something that I would love to have, but for some reason I don't see myself getting one anytime soon after it is released. I am guessing the price will be just out of my grasp :sad-b:

 

[kodiak799]

Only issue I see is Android doesn't play real nice without the touch screen interface. Concept is great, but actual useability of this device would depend on how well their coding enables the mouse to replace the touchscreen interface.

Otherwise, be pretty cool to plug-in to my 50" plasma (I'm using the RGB cables, so my HDMI input is free). With wifi I could totally circumvent the clunky PS3 interface. Also be a great thing for traveling to plug into your hotel tv.

Not a bad value for $200, but probably won't be really slick until they come out with their 2nd gen.

 

[prime]

Only issue I see is Android doesn't play real nice without the touch screen interface. Concept is great, but actual useability of this device would depend on how well their coding enables the mouse to replace the touchscreen interface.

Otherwise, be pretty cool to plug-in to my 50" plasma (I'm using the RGB cables, so my HDMI input is free). With wifi I could totally circumvent the clunky PS3 interface. Also be a great thing for traveling to plug into your hotel tv.

Not a bad value for $200, but probably won't be really slick until they come out with their 2nd gen.

Actually android is quite pleasant when used with a keyboard/mouse combo. If running CM give it a go with bluetooth.

 

[kodiak799]

Actually android is quite pleasant when used with a keyboard/mouse combo. If running CM give it a go with bluetooth.

But I'm not sure how stock Android does. Otherwise, this basically accomplishes the same thing as any newer phone with HDMI mirroring, with the advantage there of having free unlimited connectivity via VZW.

 

[darkmatter]

The trick to using a mouse/keyboard is to learn what the buttons do. Like instead of trying to swipe to a new screen by clicking and swiping, you click the mouse wheel left and right.

My phone has pretty much replaced my laptop. Travel with keyboard/mouse to connect to my phone instead. (And hdmi cable, but not all hotels have a tv with hdmi)

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[RyanPm40]

Too bad my thunderbolt doesn't have an hdmi port..