Dual-Core Android PC Now Comes On a USB Stick 178
absolut.evil writes "FXI Technologies has taken a dual core smartphone-esque computer and put it into a little USB stick. Neat. This allows you to plug into anything with a screen, USB port, and input device and run your own instance of Android. It weighs 21 grams and contains 'a dual-core 1.2-GHz Samsung Exynos ARM CPU (same as in the Galaxy S II), 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI-out and a microSD card slot for memory.'"
!Now (Score:5, Informative)
Consumer pricing has not yet been established, but product is expected to be available in volumes the second half of 2012.
"Any" is not "Any" (Score:3, Informative)
>"plug into anything with a screen, USB port, and input device and run your own instance of Android"
*WRONG*
The word "anything" could not be more WRONG. It specifically says in the article that you have to run "special software" that is MS-Windows or MacOS *only*. That is not "anything" with a screen. Exactly how would plugging that FXI "computer usb stick" into my Mandriva Linux desktop machine, Xoom Android tablet, my Fedora Linux laptop, or my RHEL server going to give the FXI access to my keyboard, mouse, network, and monitor without very specialized and deeply-rooted software to support it?
Then, even if it is an MS-Windows or MacOS machine, that doesn't mean it will be able to or allowed to run such alien software.
The article says it has WiFi, Bluetooth, and HDMI on the FXI, so it has a LOT of possibilities, is fascinating, and really cool. I don't know why the article and the summary have to step out of bounds with such sensationalist stuff like "anything with a monitor".
Re:Why Android? (Score:3, Informative)
Though the current prototype runs Android 2.3, Borgar told us that the ARM-based hardware can run Ubuntu Linux currently and future versions should be able to run the ARM version of Windows 8.
With Ubuntu installed, the Cotton Candy can even be turned into a mobile file or web server!
RTFA next time.
Re:"Any" is not "Any" (Score:5, Informative)
The word "anything" could not be more WRONG. It specifically says in the article that you have to run "special software" that is MS-Windows or MacOS *only*. That is not "anything" with a screen. Exactly how would plugging that FXI "computer usb stick" into my Mandriva Linux desktop machine, Xoom Android tablet, my Fedora Linux laptop, or my RHEL server going to give the FXI access to my keyboard, mouse, network, and monitor without very specialized and deeply-rooted software to support it?
The special software in question is only used when you want to run this (and see the output) on top of an already running OS, in a window. It's basically like VNC or RDP. However, they also support standalone operation - from TFA:
"When connected to an HDTV, it uses the HDMI port for video, the USB for power, and Bluetooth to connect to a keyboard, mouse, or tablet for controlling the operating system. "
Which basically means that you need to also have an HDMI cable handy.
Re:!Now (Score:5, Informative)
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/11/android-cotton-candy-fxi/ [wired.com]
Re:!Now (Score:5, Informative)
I mean what is the point of firing up an entire computer only to run ANOTHER full computer in a USB form factor?
I'm beginning to understand why you seem to be trolling all the time. It might help if you slowed down a little and read TFA (yeah, I know...)
Here, this might help:
"When connected to an HDTV, it uses the HDMI port for video, the USB for power, and Bluetooth to connect to a keyboard, mouse, or tablet for controlling the operating system."
Just slow down a little, understand what you're commenting on, and you'll come across as a much nicer person. I'm sure you're a good bloke at heart.
Personally, I'm looking at these things and thinking Amarino [amarino-toolkit.net]. If MIT can get it's act together and make it possible to include Amarino events in App Inventor, toys like this could really fire up home robotics. Imagine being able to use the voice control and face recognition in Ice Cream Sandwich to control real interactions!
These things are very cool, and they'll only get cheaper.
Re:!Now (Score:5, Informative)
Whoosh. You completely missed the point of my post.
I think you're the one missing everybody else's point.
Maybe it's different in the US, but virtually every HDTV sold over here already has at least one USB port. This thing would turn those TVs into a usable computer.