Dell is getting ready to be the first big name PC maker (in the West) to release a stick-sized device that you can plug into a TV to turn it into an Android computer. It’s called Project Ophelia, and Dell first introduced the concept at CES in January. Now PC World reports that Project Ophelia should be available for purchase this summer for about $100.

In July Dell will offer the stick to developers. The following month it’ll be available to telecoms or cable companies interested in offering it to customers. Individual customers should be able to buy an Ophelia device directly from Dell shortly after that.

Project Ophelia

While this is the first device of its type from Dell, Chinese device makers have been offering Android TV sticks for well over a year. We’ve covered an awful lot of them at Liliputing, and there are even small developer communities writing custom apps and firmware for Android TV sticks. Some models with Allwinner A10 or Rockchip RK3066 processors can also run Ubuntu and other Linux-based operating systems.

So what is Dell bringing to the tablet that’s different?

First, Project Ophelia will come bundled with Dell’s Wyse PocketCloud software which lets you login to a remote desktop or access files from another computer. Second, Project Ophelia has MHL support, which means that if your TV supports MHL, you can plug the stick right into the HDMI port on your television and not only will it use your TV as a display, it will draw power from the television set, so you don’t need a separate power source.

While Dell is targeting consumers and television service providers, Project Ophelia could also work as a thin client solution for businesses looking for an inexpensive alternative to giving each employee a full workstation.

The Project Ophelia stick includes WiFi and Bluetooth, and according to PC World, Dell is working on some sort of solution that lets you type on your TV (It’s not clear if this is a remote control, a physical keyboard, or some other way of navigating with Android’s on-screen keyboard).

Dell’s Android stick will ship with access to the Google Play Store and will let users install games, video streaming apps like Hulu Plus, Netflix, and more.

Dell hasn’t yet release specs such as the processor, version of Android, or amount of RAM in Project Ophelia yet. We also don’t know the final name yet — I suspect Dell will drop the “Project” at some point.

If you’ve been intrigued by the Android TV sticks coming out of China, but you’ve been wary of buying from a brand you’ve never heard of such as Rikomagic or Tronsmart, Dell’s solution could be an interesting alternative. On the other hand, those Chinese models have come a long way in the past year. I’d take a Tronsmart MK908 with a Rockchip RK3188 quad-core processor over a Google TV set-top-box any day.

via The Verge

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6 replies on “Dell Project Ophelia Android TV stick coming this summer for $100”

  1. I have a Tronsmart MK908 and it is horrible. Apps (even Google apps) crash on it constantly and it’s so slow that it can take minutes just for it to switch between apps, often getting numerous notices of an unresponsive app. This unit has been a disaster. In addition, the display blanks frequently for 1-2 seconds and I have never gotten sound to come through the receiver to which it is connected. I can connect a Nexus 4 with SlimPort adapter to the same hdmi input and get sound, video and no blanking.

    1. I have it too, but have no problems what so ever!!

      Have you tried the new Finless ROM??

      1. I would if I could but there are no instructions for installing without windows. I have Linux and android 4.x devices but I have found no instructions for upgrading with such hardware. Additionally, the distributor has stated that the OS would be upgraded at the end of April (I believe) but my device is running on 4.1.1 and neither upgrade tools indicate any available updates. Hmm

  2. This is great news!
    If even Dell make this super small pc for making it possible to to use not only Android but also a lot other linux distro and for connect it to ordinary computer displays Hdmi contacts.But USB had been better for with the new HML standard.

    I really te small form factor!

  3. I think Google needs to get on board with Android TV and drop Google TV. This whole situation is reminding me of tablets — Google didn’t want to use Android but the hardware companies pushed them into it. maybe then can now push Google into dropping Google TV.

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