This weekend Samsung announced another device that will be headed to the market with Android to connect with all their smartphones and tablets. It’s called the Samsung HomeSync media set-top box and today we’ve got a quick hands-on with it. This isn’t Google TV, instead Samsung’s using this to integrate their Android-toting devices deeper into our lives, and living rooms.
The reason for the above statement being your Samsung Galaxy device is needed to control the new Android set-top. The entire HomeSync box is roughly the size of a few small books stacked together, finished in a black brushed aluminum looking plastic shell. They’ve added a pair of USB 3.0 ports, micro-USB, HDMI-out, optical audio for better sound, and of course an Ethernet port.
Then under the hood we have some decent specs too. Samsung equipped the HomeSync with a 1.7 GHz dual-core processor and 2GB of RAM, as well as 8GB of storage for apps and games from Google. Then the important part is the 1000GB (1TB) hard drive that’s also included. You’ll be streaming movies in minutes all controlled by that Galaxy S III. We also have WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0 on board.
The Android 4.1 Jelly Bean powered box supports up to 8 different devices to download, upload, share, and control content for the device. When we say uploading and downloading that is because you can use that 1000GB for storage, as well as offloading content to your Galaxy smartphone or tablet. Then of course the HomeSync has all those cloud storage and streaming capabilities. Samsung will bundle their own cloud storage and streaming options with the box.
Things like AllShare Cast will easily pair and work with the HomeSync, and you’ll be enjoying content on the big screen with ease. Browsing the Google Play Store was a breeze, but streaming 1080p video over the crippled WiFi here in Spain during MWC wasn’t very optimal. We have a feeling enjoying this at home will be a pleasant experience. Hopefully the price is right, and we’ll report back when we hear pricing closer to the April launch date.
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