I must preface this article with how skeptical I was when first hearing about the iDeaTV ($60), a USB looking HDMI stick you plug into your TV turning it into a giant Android tablet. The iDeaTV came preloaded with many applications making it useable right out of the box. If you’re already an Android smartphone user, then you already know the look and feel of the 4.1 Jelly Bean OS, and the iDeaTV may not wow and surprise you as much as it did me. I’ve been an Apple iPhone user since the original, so I’ve never had much time with any Android aside from the occasional encounter with a friend’s new device.

Like most devices these days, the iDeaTV connects to your home wireless with ease. Its Dual Core A9 1.6GHz processor allows for smooth image rendering and multitasking with little down time. As mentioned previously, the OS installed is Android’s latest 4.1 Jelly Bean — allowing for an easy-to-use interface and customizable settings. The stick has 8GB of internal memory with an option to expand up to 32GB using a micro SD card. This comes in handy if you’re looking to store photos and videos to share on your big screen. Its wireless keyboard with trackpad that comes included is something to be desired as it feels cheap and easy to break. I don’t know about you but I like a little weight to my tech. The remote feels like you’re holding a piece of paper.

What Comes Included:

  • iDeaTV
  • Wireless keyboard with trackpad
  • USB Cable
  • HDMI Adapter Cable
  • 3X AAA Batteries for keyboard
  • Wall Adapter
  • User Guide

All-in-all I would say the iDeaTV is a great investment for many reasons. For one, if you’ve been debating on buying an Apple TV, Roku, or Chromecast for your home, just go with the iDeaTV. Not only is it cheaper than two of the three, it packs a whole lot more features than them as well. Seems like a no brainer.

Pickup an iDeaUSA iDeaTV on Amazon for $60.