Intel's Compute Stick is a $119 desktop PC barely bigger than a thumb drive

[captaincranky]

No plug the compute stick into the TV/Monitor and use that as output, using phone as input. That is what I do with RPI, over wifi, this way no keyboard/mice is plugged into RPI. Turns my parents old TV into a "smart-TV". We are talking a rare scenario and slight inconvenience when it does happen (ie phone being totalled).

An innovative and creative usage of this device, for sure.

However, when all is said and done, you could ostensibly wind up with an almost $1,000.00 price difference between a $999.95 iPhone, and a WMC compatible $9.95 remote control.

The cost of buying Windows Media Center, (free still in Windows 7), and a Pci-e tuner notwithstanding (Of course you wouldn't need the tuner, if you goal was to only use internet sourced TV).

Since I don't have any premium services, you'll have to tell me if WMS can be used to connect to premium services.

However, most current Blu-Ray players are "smart", and as such, with one in the AV home entertainment system loop, a "smart TV", would be, almost in its entirety, redundant.

So, spending maybe $80.00 for a Blu-ray player, would eliminate the need for the very expensive phone, and a compute stick, at one shot, since a remote control is always provided with optical disc players...

In point of fact, an Amazon "Fire Stick", would also perform the functions you describe as available from the Compute Stick.

OTOH, if you have other needs or usages expected from this mini computer as it pertains to your grandparents' TV, I'd certainly, love to hear about therm

 

[amghwk]

I thought this computestick was old news? I remember looking at this and it's variants quite some time ago... last year or perhaps before that

 

[captaincranky]

I thought this computestick was old news? I remember looking at this and it's variants quite some time ago... last year or perhaps before that

Well, Intel released the original version in 2015. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Compute_Stick

However, this model appears to be a "next generation" offering. The new stick is model # CS-125, and it is apparently, new this year. You can track the model numbers and release dates of earlier models, in the Wiki link I provided above.

Some quick Windows shopping (pun intended), of the older models, revealed a wide range of prices, extending upward to near $400.00

So, this one has more performance for a lower price, and the people who simply had to be, "the first kidz on ther block to have one", as usual, footed some of the R & D costs..

 

[Squid Surprise]

Turning an older TV model into a "smart-TV" and many more other use cases where you rarely touch the RPI/computer stick as its running as a "remote" device / "server".

My point is, once you have the smartphone, you don’t need the stick... your smartphone can turn any TV into a smart tv with an adapter that’s far cheaper (depending on the model, it might already be included!).

I can see some limited appeal for this, but I see your smartphone or a laptop being far more useful for 99% of the applications...

 

[seeprime]

A $25 bluetooth mini-keyboard with touch pad would make this usable on any HDTV without taking up much space.