Your TV doesn’t have to be boring anymore. As long as it has an HDMI port, you can turn it into a smart TV or a real Windows computer with the Intel Compute Stick that’s being offered by PLDT Home as the TVolution Stick.
With a dimension of 35.17cm x 21.5cm x 6.72cm and weighing 0.20kg, the TVolution Stick runs Windows 8.1 and is upgradable to Windows 10. It draws its computing power from a quad-core Intel Atom Z3735F 1.3GHz processor, 2GB memory, and Intel Graphics. It also features 32GB internal storage, a microSD card slot for up to 128GB of additional storage, and USB 2.0 port.
For connectivity, the device offers integrated Wi-Fi b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.0 technologies. So you can connect to the Internet as well as wirelessly connect to Bluetooth-enabled keyboard and mouse.
To transform your TV into a smart TV or computer, just plug the device into the TV’s HDMI port to activate the computer on screen. The device doesn’t have an internal battery so it has to be connected to a power source via the micro USB port and the included power adapter. The stick can also be plugged into a desktop monitor that has an HDMI port.
Jason Ty, Channel Platform Manager at Intel, says the Intel Compute Stick has been designed for both entertainment and light productivity purposes. For entertainment, you can surf the web, stream movies and videos, and even play Xbox games with it. For productivity, you can create Word, spreadsheet documents, and PowerPoint presentations, as well as send and receive email. “It’s not just like a computer. It’s a computer,” says Ty. “And it only consumes 5 watts.”
Ty noted that the Intel Compute Stick can basically do what streaming sticks, such as the Google Chromecast, are capable of doing and a lot more. “Google Chromecast is just like Intel’s wireless display technology. It’s just for streaming and has no compute capability. It relies on your smartphone or tablet’s computing power.”
The TVolution stick is available from PLDT Home. And until November 30, new subscribers of DSL Plans 999 and up and all PLDT HOME Fibr plans who apply online will get this gadget for free, along with content from iflix snd Spinnr. Existing subscribers may get the device for Php199 to Php299 a month.
Patrick Tang, PLDT VP and Head of Home Voice Solutions, says the TVolution Stick will come with a Bluetooth-enabled keyboard and mouse.
“We’ve engineered a product that is often the most expensive device in the home,” said Intel Philippines country manager Calum Chisholm. “The Intel Compute Stick together with PLDT’s broadband connection enables Filipinos to both consume and create, and thus connecting to their potential with technology.”
