There are a ton of media apps for that let you stream music, videos, podcasts, or other content from the internet to an Android phone or tablet. But most have pretty lackluster speakers, which makes a good set of headphones or a speaker dock a good idea for folks that want to make an Android tablet the center of their media center.

Or you could buy a music system, that’s build around an Android tablet. RCA’s upcoming Internet Media System looks a bit like an old stereo system with a set of shelf speakers. But it’s powered by a 7 inch touchscreen tablet running Android.

RCA Internet Media System

When the tablet’s locked into place, it acts as the touchscreen controls for the stereo. You can use it to navigate apps and even watch videos on the stereo system.

Or you can remove the tablet from the stereo and continue to use it. The tablet stays connected to the speakers over Bluetooth, letting you control media playback from your couch.

You can also hook up the Internet Media System to a TV using HDMI and use it to stream audio or video content to a bigger screen.

RCA’s demo video shows the Google Play Store and other media apps including Pandora, Spofity, TuneIn, and Rdio. The Android tablet comes with access to the Google Play Store, so pretty much any app that’s available in Google’s market should work on the Internet Media System.

While it’s the Android tablet that makes this device special, you can also use it as a standard stereo system. There’s a built-in CD player and digital radio tuner.

Android Police reports that the RCA Internet Music System should be available at Walmart soon. It’s not clear if the system is a Walmart exclusive, but in a video RCA posted to YouTube a few days ago, the company confirms that it will be sold at Walmart… and says nothing about availability at other stores.

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12 replies on “RCA Internet Music System is a stereo powered by an Android tablet”

  1. I just got one at Walmart for $150. Don’t know if it was a special deal or not. Seems to work fine except I can’t get the main clock off of Eastern Time. Anyone know how?

  2. I think RCA missed out by not having a blueray player instead of a CD player. Also having internal storage options in the system it’s self instead of relying on the tablet. If they had done this it would have been a pretty good HTPC (home theater pc)

  3. I just got this as a gift from someone. It is a pretty rare find. I think that it is pretty kool tho. I just signed on the tablet with my google account that I also have on my cell phone and all the apps that I had on my cell phone (smartphone) are now on the tablet. So its basically my phone, just with a tad bigger screen.
    However I am having an issue with the thing at the moment. I was using the tablet, for no more than 5 minutes and I put it down for about another 5 minutes maybe, and when I came back the screen was off. I plugged it back into the stereo thing. and it has been there for the past few hours… but I can not for the life of me, get the screen to turn back on now. I have tried everything. I tried every setting. I pushed every button… nothing.. I dont know why it will not come back on. But its making me think twice about keeping it now. Any suggestions on how or why my screen will not turn on anymore?

  4. I bought this unit as well from Wal-Mart. There are a few things about this system which could have been better, such as the simple lcd display for the cd player. Not a huge deal but definitely could use improvement. The “tablet” is not really a tablet per se, but more like a removable head for the stereo, which is based on android software. The speaker that come with this unit absolutely suck as far as sound quality and aethestics. They are 30 years in the past for this new technology that they are paired with.
    The memomry card slot, hdmi port, and line in, and headphone jack make this device superior to alot of other devices on the market. The 7-inch color screen display is not HD quality by a long shot, but quality enough to serve it’s purpose. I actually bought a $50 pair of “Ihome” speakers with LED lighting (that sound awesome) to go with this system. I use the headphone jack to connect them because the speakers are already amplified.
    The fact that music can be stored digitally and can be easliy navigated and customized go a long way in my book. Anyone who has ever used a flash drive to try to naviagate music on s miny stereo know that its essentially useless when your going through thousands of files (or even hundreds).
    Bottom line…It’s a Buy!! Of course you have to at least know a thing or two about customizing a stereo and not being upset that the speakers included in the box are nothing more than papreweights or spare firewood. The only suggestion that I would have had for RCA is to use the same concept, with higher grade hardware and materials. They should have positioned this as a high end device and sold for $599 at Best Buy instead of a $178 Wal-Mart niche item. I’m sure compnaies like Sony will take notice of this and build a much higher end device tin the near future.
    Thanks for reading.

    1. I have this and forgotten my unlock pin. How do I get around or retrieve the password? Maybe email or something?

  5. I’ve seen one in a Walmart. True it’s $178. Does anyone know if it uses your home WiFi for interent access?

    1. I just bought this thing and it’s so cool! It has everything you want like WiFi internet, Bluetooth, and a CD player. Anther cool feature is that it has HDMI out, so it sends the audio/video to a TV source. I also love the fact it has USB so I can attach my flash drive to import music and videos 😀 WIth Google Play on there it’s limitless to add apps like Pandora, YouTubem etc.

  6. This is sweet! I’m sure the tablet is in hi-sense sero 7 territory in regards to specs, but install an app like audioglow and it would be a cool little system.

    Would be nice to have the option to buy it without the tablet and just put a universal tray in its place so one could use a device of their choosing.

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