LONDON: Google has launched Chromebit USB like device which has the ability to convert your simple TV into a Smart TV or into a computer. Now you can use ur simple TV as computer or can stream online with Google Chromebit which has a 2GBm RAM and 16 GB of storage with SD Card reader and HDMI output, as well a 720p webcam and WiFi and Bluetooth antennas.
What does it do? Well it turns any display into a computer running Google’s Chrome operating system.
How does it work?
Although it looks like an average USB stick, the Chromebit is actually an HDMI dongle that connects directly to a TV or external monitor. The reverse end houses a standard USB port that means you can connect peripherals to it as well.
And, in a clever piece of product design, the HDMI connector swivels around – so you don’t need to find an extension cable if your port is in an awkward spot or up against a wall.
Chromebit 2There’s no UK pricing for the Chromebit yet – but it’s likely to be under £100
Once it’s connected, the quad-core Rockchip 3288 processor takes over and turns your TV into a computer monitor. There’s 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage, as well as Bluetooth for connecting a mouse or a keyboard.
What can you do with it?
Pretty much anything you would do with a Chromebook laptop – so browse the internet, use social media, pay bills, watch YouTube or Netflix.
It’s a great, budget option for people who don’t have a smart TV
Because it uses the Chrome operating system (unlike Windows of OS X) you have to be connected to wi-fi for it to work.
Is it expensive?
Annoyingly, the UK price for the Chromebit hasn’t been announced yet.
But Google says it’ll charge $100 for it in the States, which equates to around £70 here in the UK. Likewise, the search company hasn’t given a specific release date, but does say it’ll be here by the summer.
Do I really want one though?
All in all, Google is essentially offering you the internals of a basic computer and leaving it up to you to provide the screen and other accessories.
It’s a bit like a colourful, easy-to-use Raspberry Pi. It won’t replace a decent laptop – or a tablet like the Surface 3 for that matter – but it is an affordable way to get hold of another computer.
These kinds of products have been around in China for a year or so, but Google’s decision to produce a computer-on-a-stick is likely influenced by the success of it’s cheap Chromecast streaming stick.
