Swordfish Android 4.1.1 Mini PC

[CoryBee]

Saw this thought it was interesting. Didn't research it that much so let me know if it sucks or not. It isn't anything that I was planning to buy, just popped up in my inbox.

http://dx.com/p/android-4-1-1-mini-pc-google-tv-player-w-game-controller-camera-air-mouse-1gb-ram-8gb-rom-219853?utm_source=dx&utm_medium=edm&utm_campaign=20130620updatednewarrivals

[Howard_Casto]

Yeah that looks pretty fun.  This is one of the reasons I'm not a fan of the Ouya btw... it's not that the Ouya is bad, it's just that you can go to dx.com right now and there are pages upon pages of android on a stick packages, all rooted, all pre-loaded with emulators, and many at a reduced price. 

I'm going to have to pick one up eventually so we can compare and contrast. 

[knave]

I looked at products like these before I backed on the Ouya. Back then they weren't as sophisticated. This one looks nice, I like the four usb ports and sd slot and audio out plus the remote, totally worth the extra $25 over the Ouya.

I think the Ouya is great though. I've been having a lot of fun with mine. I like this device too. I would ask I the processor is quad core. Other than that it is comparable to an Ouya. The hardware of the Ouya is definitely solid. I have a thread about the Ouya in the "console" section.

I also wonder how non native android apps are controlled. Can you use the controller?

I've been watching the Cheap Tablets on DX for a while and I've never seen the reviews show that the quality matches traditional retail products. On paper the specs often look great, but the device ends up being only ok.

If someone picks this up I'd be interested in how it shapes up.

[Howard_Casto]

No don't get me wrong, the Ouya surprised me in terms of interface, ect.. the thing is, if a lot of ouya specific games aren't produced, you'll have the issue of a lot of games just not supporting the controller properly, which seems to be a universal android problem. 

This is second hand knowledge, I don't have one of these personally so take it as you will, but:

The reason that the included gamepad looks like a ps3 controller is because it IS a knock-off ps3 controller.  Ps3 controllers and Wiimotes are both Bluetooth devices, so they've had good luck getting them to work in android.  Usually if a good firmware is put on the device, they'll support these controllers, as well as a wired 360 controller, natively.  Now for the games, much like the ouya, support varies.  Worst case scenario there are resident apps that make a bluethooth gamepad show up as a keyboard/mouse combo, which is pretty much universally supported.  Of course with that trickery you loose some functionality, but it's better than nothing. 

I agree btw that the quality of a lot of these devices isn't stellar, but then again you often pay 1/4th the price that you would anywhere else so it isn't that bad a trade off in a lot of cases. 

[knave]

I hear what you are saying about the store not taking off...I agree that would be a blow to the development of Ouya Specific content. Hardware wise, I think we are in good shape.

I would like to see a performance comparison of android gaming equipment. Perhaps once the Gamestick, and a few of the others come out there will be as many choices as we have for cell phones.

My experience so far with android products so far is that "the sweetness of a cheap price is quickly replaced by the bitterness of poor quality."

I use an older tablet because it is solid and reliable. I would love it if this device proves me wrong.

[Goz]

I have a couple of the Android on a sticks and they work well with Six Axis PS Controller, Wii Controllers, etc. Makes for a neat toy. My latest one is an RK3188 (Quad Core 1.6Ghz, 2GB RAM, and 16GB of NAND microSD support up to 32GB I believe. Running 4.2.2 and shipped rooted. The place where Ouya and other may have a hand up are software agreements where you can try before you buy, etc.

Most emu's work well on the latest unit. Far better than my earlier units with 1GB RAM and Dual Core CPU and MALI 400 Graphics.