WATCH VIDEO. US-based Always Innovating has introduced the HDMI Dongle, which transforms any dumb TV with a HDMI port into an internet-connected device.
The HDMI Dongle enables internet browsing, movie watching and games. The HDMI Dongle can run Android Ice Cream Sandwich and is technically compatible with GoogleTV.
The device provides a full-compatible Android experience and any application for this operating system can run on the dongle. The HDMI Dongle can stream and decode from the Internet 1080p H.264 video.
The device is compatible with popular services such as Netflix, Hulu or Amazon video-on-demand. The user interface is controlled with a 9-button remote control for navigation, and voice recognition for text input. The accelerometer located in the remote control enables a set of gravity-based games. The remote control also features a NFC chip to offer a tap-to-share experience.
The HDMI Dongle is based on the Texas Instruments Cortex-A9 OMAP 4 which can run from 1.0GHz to 1.8GHz depending on the configuration. It offers 1GB of RAM and a micro SD card for local storage. The Wi-Fi and Bluetooth module enables the device to connect to the internet and to any Bluetooth-enabled accessories.
Always Innovating does not intend to produce the HDMI Dongle but offers it on a licensing basis. The HDMI Dongle is expected to hit the shelves with a first licensee during Summer 2012. The HDMI Dongle can also be used as the heart of a tablet or MID device. An expansion header can interface to camera and LVDS screen which allows to plug a 1920×1080 LCD. The PCB provides all the features of a tablet including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, battery management, camera and NFC connectivity.
Always Innovating was founded by serial entrepreneur Grégoire Gentil and is based in San Francisco, California.
WATCH VIDEO. This video shows the OMAP4-based HDMI Dongle in action running Gingerbread, as demonstrated by Grégoire Gentil. This video was shot a couple of months ago (in 2011). The HDMI Dongle is coming with Ice Cream Sandwich.
