First Android TV sticks with Rockchip RK3188 quad-core processors arrive

Rockchip’s RK3188 chip is a quad-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor with top speeds of up to 1.8 GHz and Mali 400 quad-core graphics for HD and 3D video. Chinese tablet makers have already started releasing products based on the new chip, and now the first Android TV boxes with RK3188 processors are starting to arrive as well.

Like earlier Android TV sticks, these new models are about the size and shape of a chunky USB flash drive. But they’re actually tiny computers that run Google Android. Plug them into your TV and you can run Android apps on the big screen.

Tronsmart T428

GeekBuying is selling a model called the Tronsmart T428 for $99. You can read more about this model at the GeekBuying blog.

In a nutshell, it features an RK3188 processor, Mali 400 graphics, 2GB of RAM, 8GB to 16GB of storage, built-in 802.11n WiFi, a microSD card slot, USB 2.0 port, and microUSB port. There’s an HDMI connector on one end, which lets you plug the stick directly into a TV or monitor.

The Tronsmart T428 is so new it doesn’t even have a case — GeekBuying is currently showing the device as an uncovered circuit board.

The device runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, but there are plans to offer an Android 4.2 update soon.

GeekBuying reports that the device scores very well on benchmarks — it gets a 18706 score in AnTutu, which is higher than the scores you get from most devices with NVIDIA Tegra 3 or Samsung Exynos 4412 processors.

CloudnetGo CR9

Chinese company CloudnetGo is offering a stick with nearly identical specifications called the CR9. The only major difference I can spot right now is that the CloudnetGo CR9 comes with a case… and I’m not sure it’s available for purchase yet.

Like the Tronsmart T428, it has a RockChip RK3188 processor, Mali 400 graphics, 2GB of RAM, and up to 16GB of storage.

via CNX-Software and AndroidPC.es

Posted on Friday, March 8th, 2013, 9:36 am by Brad Linder | 20 Comments

http://www.facebook.com/people/Shawne-Beeson/100000728451467 Shawne Beeson

How well does this chip do vs say Tegra 3?
cyouth858

Will wait for a more reliable manufacturer to release their version first before purchasing. But soc looks promising
toronado455

Agreed. Waiting for big name.
http://twitter.com/V_U vēer

Sorry, what big name that would be? Arent they all sold by either Chinese retailers or as rebranded models by “big names”?
strider_mt2k

You will be waiting for quite a while.
These things are cheap. Play a little!
strider_mt2k

Things like this are what made me reconsider buying an Ouya console.

I’ve owned several Tegra devices, and know what they do…they rock!

As far as I’m concerned, just give me the SOC that everyone continually compares themselves to.
Arrdee

I consider this form-factor dead after using a few. But you could use a short Female-Male HDMI cable I suppose to avoid breaking the connector in your TV set as cable weight for power, etc. tugs on it.
http://www.facebook.com/kingu.prima Kingu Prima

Any information about MINIX NEO X7 which was announced on MINIX forums and FB page ?
Which processor will it use ? RK3188 ?
Amount of RAM ? 2GB ?

Thanks
Javi

I just can see CR8 in that website… Dual Core
http://soltesza.wordpress.com/ sola

It is a pity that there is no Linux support for this (only Android). At least the 3066 has no some Linux support.

At the moment, a $99 Ouya may be a better choice than this in case extreme portability is not needed.
http://soltesza.wordpress.com/ sola

Agreed, the Ouya seems good value.
http://soltesza.wordpress.com/ sola

I also tend to favour the small set-top-box form factor with a lot of USB ports.
http://twitter.com/DialAPlay Dial-A-Play

Glad to see more of these devices hitting the market.
cyouth858

MINIX – Only co. that has really made a name for themselves with these type of devices
http://ARMdevices.net/ Charbax

Dell is going to sell Rockchip based HDMI sticks soon, they call it Dell Project Ophelia.
http://ARMdevices.net/ Charbax

Rockchip says it’s faster than Tegra3, but perhaps about similar to Exynos4412 in terms of performance: http://armdevices.net/2013/01/09/rockchip-rk3188-28nm-hkmg-quad-core-arm-cortex-a9-launched/ but it can be in much cheaper and much more compact devices than Exynos4412.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Nathan-Mott/100000028400793 Nathan Mott

yeah. And they have coaxial and optical audio out. And wired ethernet. Plus what about IR control?
scottalias

I had a double female HDMI adapter, cost two or three dollars on Amazon, and just used a regular HDMI cable. Much safer for the TV.
scottalias

Exactly. Upgrade twice a year or more.
indfo

Ah! There came the shipment “Order number 3037184″ from GeekBuying. I was so so happy! Then I open the box, wow! I got the free ethernet to USB cable, wow I got the power adapter and the awesome box! I just jumped seeing it… but oh wait! where is the Tronsmart T428? It is such a magical device that it vanished through the packaging!!!

The delivery came without the device and what was delivered was every accessory. How can this even happen? Isn’t such basic thing checked? Geekbuying needs to fix this asap!

First Android TV sticks with Rockchip RK3188 quad-core processors arrive

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