- Jelly Bean Android 4.1 Rockchip Dual-core Cortex A9 RK3066 CPU
- Multi-language supported for multiple regions and dialects around the world
- Built-in Bluetooth, You can connect with your bluetooth keyboard, game controller, headphones easily
- Includes a Mini-USB Host port, which can be used to operate with an external keyboard or mouse, mobile hard disk, U disk, video cameras, plug-in devices, and much more
The dual processors are super fast and I've downloaded most of the apps from google play that I have on my tablet and they run very well on here and look very clear and crisp on my 50" LCD. Once you get used to using a mouse with the Android OS it gets better strange playing Angry Birds with a mouse but the graphics look great. Netflix streams in HD too and the video quality is very crisp and clear. Other video apps like HBOGO and MAXGO work very well streaming but the quality isn't too great on the picture I'm sure that's due to not all of the content from these providers being in HD like most of Netflix titles. Google Chrome looks great and the web surfing is extremely fast the newest flash player is already installed too along with HTML5.
All in all I would recommend this to anyone wanting to try it out definitely worth it I'm sure you can do a lot more with these things too just haven't had the time to play with it too much. Other reviews also stated that the unit gets warm after only a short period of time guess that got fixed with the ventilation holes as I haven't had any issues with it even getting warm at all after leaving it on continuously.My MK808B arrived earlier this week from Geek Buying, much earlier than the anticipated delivery time. I'd expected possible wireless problems (my router is on the floor above) but so far, so good. I bought an Anker mini bluetooth keyboard with trackpad which works well with it. I was impressed that the MK808B was loaded with Jelly Bean and the option to launch the latest xbmcandroid build, which only came out around the time of my purchase. I'm a noob with this stuff so it was helpful to have everything well set up on arrival.
The only thing I wish is that there was a way to power the unit off, other than removing the power cable. I've tried several apps which are supposed to switch power off but none has worked. I've also been unable to stream Amazon instant videos (despite downloading an earlier version of Flash with the Dolphin browser it works with), but that's probably more an Amazon issue from what I've read elsewhere.I bought this little device as a means of easily getting Netflix to our main HDTV. It works well for that purpose, handling Netflix very well, and in high definition--though the Netflix resolution doesn't seem to be 1080, more like 720. But it's very good, and better than standard DVD quality.
It has had no problems either with overheating or maintaining a wi-fi connection, as some users have experienced with earlier versions.
I intend to stream 1080p high-definition content to this device, and will update this review after I have tested it thoroughly.
The most frustrating aspect to the Rockchip MK808b is that attached keyboards seem to be useless in many apps. The MK808B is essentially the inner workings of a touchscreen device--meaning many standard applications demand their text input be received as if it was a phone or tablet, requiring the operator to use the mouse to input the letters one at a time via the onscreen keyboard. For example, you can't enter text from the keyboard to search Netflix for video content, although you can enter text into a web browser address bar or edit an office document. I'm using a Motorola Bluetooth keyboard; while I haven't yet attached a wired keyboard though I cannot imagine it would perform differently.
The device needs a way of letting a Bluetooth or other wireless keyboard emulate the on-screen keyboard. It can quickly become maddening to enter letters one by one with the mouse.
[UPDATE TO COMMENTS ON THE USE OF A KEYBOARD IN THE BROWSER: While I enjoy Google Chrome on my smartphone and PCs, Chrome on the MK808b has the abovementioned issues with allowing text input from a keyboard. However the less-sophisticated native-Android browser (it has a blue globe icon and is just called "Browser") that accompanies the stock OS on the device WILL ALLOW text input in most cases. This discovery makes entering text into web forms far easier and more pleasant!]
Another issue: when the unit has been powered down then restarted, it has difficulty pairing with the Bluetooth mouse, although the keyboard usually pairs without incident. The mouse will pair, but often requires making the 808b visible to the device and vice-versa--setting it up as if it had never paired. The problem with having to do this each time you power up means you must attach a wired or 2.4ghz wireless remote mouse to initiate the pairing. Once paired however, it works well.
Additionally, an on-off switch would be a good thing, as would the ability to suspend operation as opposed to powering down. The attached flyer/manual recommends shutting down, rather than leaving it on for an extended time. Allowing the unit to safely remain on (like a phone or tablet) would alleviate having to re-pair the mouse or keyboard, for example--which is problematic, since a separate wired or wireless (not Bluetooth) mouse must be used to bring up the "settings" and initiate the necessary actions.
Last but not least: How much do we really know about the manufacturer of this device? Is everything in it reliable as far as security is concerned? Or is there a risk of having passwords compromised--either local settings with wi-fi, or password for Google Play or Amazon, as well as other merchants? Could it introduce vulnerabilities to home networks, or be remoted into from outside and used to infiltrate home or business networks? With all the news about Chinese hacking, doesn't it raise some questions?
Forgive the paranoid sound of these concerns but I am hopeful that computer security firms like McAfee and Symantec might review these devices for us, given the fact that many companies will not allow ANY devices--even a flash drive or wireless mouse, for example--to be plugged into their systems, lest viruses or malware be introduced via their roms or drivers.Wow, I have never left a review for any item I purchased on Amazon and that has been quite a few, but this little gem merits my first. First off I use a Nexus 7, and Asus TF300 daily so that is what I will base my perspective off of. When I ordered this from China I sat back a prepared to wait for 2-3 weeks before even checking on its progress, but 8 days later there it was in the mail. When I got it the packaging did make me a bit nervous as it only came in a thin plastic package without an real padding to speak of, but it made the journey unscathed. I opened it up and plugged it right into the family 40" TV and was surprised at just how fast it booted up. I immediately put Netflix on and found that it streamed quite quickly into 720 although the show I was watching was slightly out of sync with the voices and mouth movement (an issue I have had on other android devices). Downloads were a flash, even faster than my nexus 7. I plugged in a usb mouse and was greeted with a pointer popping up on my screen immediately. Unfortunately I couldn't get the mouse to replicate touch response so games like Ski Safari couldn't be tested. However it churned through PSX emulation demos with amazing speed and power rivaling my Nexus and besting my TF300. By this point I was already in love with this simple little device and already considering ordering a backup just to carry with me or in case this one ever died. I went on to pop in a Micro SD card with a ton of games on it and found the device quickly registered and accessed the content without issue. I also found that by plugging the power cord into the unit and the USB end into the TV's auxiliary USB power port I could power the device off the TV and it would turn off and on with the TV. Sadly I could not get the device to recognize my PS3 controller using Bluetooth, but was able to get it to work using a usb cord to connect and it worked great for navigation and gaming. I did not root the device, although it does appear to be unlocked, and might already have root access (definitely not my area of expertise so please take that worth a grain of salt). I ordered a micro Bluetooth keyboard with built in touch pad to use with the MK808B. So, I am planning to sell my TF300 now (which i usually had plugged into the TV) and just stick with this and my Nexus 7. I say that only to articulate just how happy I am with the functionality and performance of this little device. Oh, and I have not had any heat issues, the device gets warm, but not hot. If you have any questions just ask away and I will do the best I can to answer, because I almost didn't order this based of the difficulty of find good reviews. Also If you want to know who I order from just let me know as I am unsure if I am supposed to promote one seller over another in the review section. Thanks for reading and have a good one.
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