Rikomagic is giving the recently released MK802 III mini PC a slight spec bump. The new MK802 IIIs is still a tiny computer with a USB port on one end, an HDMI adapter on the other, and a Rockchip RK3066 dual core process in the middle.

But the new model adds two new features: Bluetooth support, an ESD circuit for better stability, and support for software apps that let you actually turn off the little computer without unplugging it.

Rikomagic MK802 IIIs

Those might not sound like big changes… but while dozens of these Android mini PCs have come out of China in recent months, most have lacked an off switch. The only way to turn them off is typically to pull the plug when you’re done using them.

While the MK802 IIIs doesn’t have an off “switch” per se, at least it will support software that lets you power down an Android computer.

The stick has a 1.6 GHz RK3066 ARM Cortex-A9 processor, quad-core graphics, 1GB of RAM, and 4GB to 8GB of storage and a microSD card slot. It supports 802.11b/g/n WiFi and runs Google Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

Independent developers have also been making progress porting Ubuntu Linux to run on devices with RK3066 chips. But unless you’re a developer, I’d only recommend picking up a product like this if you’re cool with Android, because it could be a while before we see a stable release of Ubuntu or other desktop Linux software.

We might only be a few days away from seeing the first working version of Ubuntu for the MK802 III, but I wouldn’t expect it to run as well as Android for a little while.

In other words, like most other “mini PCs” we’ve seen recently, the MK802 IIIs is basically an inexpensive device designed to let you run Android apps on your TV using a USB or wireless mouse, keyboard, or remote control.

Update: Check out our hands-on impressions of the RikoMagic MK802 IIIs.

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26 replies on “Rikomagic introduces MK802 IIIs, now with Bluetooth, more”

  1. just turn your tv off and back on and it restarts ,if your device is plugged into a usb power source from your tv.

  3. I was thinking about buying one of these. I own an old SE x10 mini pro phone. Was planning to use the phones keyboard and screen as controller. Would it be possible without any problems ?

  4. How would one attach USB keyboard and mouse to an MK802 IIIs? By simply using a USB hub?

  6. Has anyone been sucessful in booting Lucid Puppy Linux on the MK802 III? I have tried after testing the Micro SD on a Pc where it ran great but on the MK802 III I can’t get to boot Puppy. I understood that on the MK802 II it worked fine as shown on Youtube but so far no success on MK802 III. I have used Universal installer to create the bootable Micro SD.

    1. usualy pc is using x86 cpu, meanwhile MK802 III is using arm chipset.. mybe you need search pupy linux for arm img instead..

  7. Host1 had a software off function for few months, Uhost2 have a real on/off function via remote. This minor update is just a way to sell unsold stock of the old models buy changing the plastic cover and adding few lines of code.

    This is what i call “earth trash”

  10. Can I connect a a USB hard drive with a bunch of .MKV files on it and play them on my TV with this?

    1. A keyboard and a mouse
      or an air/fly mouse keyboard combination (not very precise)

      Since its made for touch you’d still have to click and drack between screens…
      Very uncomfortable with a joystick or touchpad mouse =P

      I’ll use the “swedish(now dutch) company” laptop table for the keyboard and the mouse =)

    2. Use Droidmote app and control it with your android phone. You can even use bluestack on your winpc to control it. Works great. I love my mk802II for movies, vevo, netflix, espn. Not much for games

  13. I would love to see a roundup of these things.
    This site is the one!

  14. how stable are those devices (ug802, mk802, etc)? i mean, wifi stable, no random reboots, good game performance, etc?

    1. As an owner of an MK802+ I would say go for the multi-core flavors as they will have the extra “oomph” the single core units seem to be lacking. 😐

      I like the built-in bluetooth. One of these might be my Christmas present to myself this year.

    2. Mine has been quite stable (MK802II) and has acceptable wifi reception with no random reboots to date. As for game performance I wouldn’t count on anything more demanding than angry birds @ this point. The main complaint for me would be the intermittent sluggishness and non responsive apps….

  15. OK, how would you power it back on then?
    unplug it, then plug it back it? Seems redundant.
    Whats wrong with a power button? Seriously.

    1. If most folks use it like I use my MK802II, then they’ll just leave it plugged in to the televisions HDMI / USB inputs and let it boot when they turn the set on. The idea of a power button is great, but for most it might be somewhat problematic to easily access…

        1. You make a couple of very relevant points SeanKPS. One being that many users won’t be using a usb port for power and (as a former electronics tech with considerable experience on consumer devices), how much current can the 5 volt usb supply on my tv provide and for how long before it smokes? I looked in my sets documentation and on the manufacturers web site and could not find an answer as to it’s stated rating. I’ve seen a few folks mod the MK802 by piggybacking the device to powered usb hub and use it to toggle power and support peripherals….Here’s one with an on / off switch….

          https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182212

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