The Xiaomi Mi TV Stick has just been certified by Google, which means that it could launch any day now.
We’ve been hearing about the Xiaomi Mi TV Stick for quite some time, mostly through leaks and other certifications. So we still don’t know a ton about it. But we do know some of the important aspects.
This is going to be an Android TV HDMI stick, and it’ll also run content at up to 1080p. This is confirmed by the fact that there is an Amlogic S805Y chipset inside. That chipset is capable of up to 1080p content. Which means no 4K support on this particular model. Though there has been rumors of a second model that would feature 4K – a lot like the Fire TV Stick being available in two models.
When can we expect the Xiaomi Mi TV Stick to launch?
Honestly, it could be tomorrow. It has gone through just about all of the certifications it needs to do before it can launch. So now it’s all up to Xiaomi as to when it will be made available. But I’d put my money on sooner rather than later.
The Xiaomi Mi TV Stick is expected to be pretty inexpensive too, likely under $50. Which would make for some good competition with Google’s own Android TV/Chromecast dongle that has been making its rounds on the rumor mill as of late. Not to mention, competing with Roku and Amazon Fire TV with their own HDMI sticks.
Xiaomi is one of the only OEMs that is really putting out Android TV devices. It has the Mi Box S, as well as its own Android TVs that are running in India and in China. So if you want Android TV, and don’t want to spend $150 on the NVIDIA SHIELD TV, Xiaomi is your only other option right now. So it is not surprising to see this device coming out soon.
Google may start pushing HDMI sticks for Android TV
With Google rumored to be putting out its own HDMI stick or dongle in the very near future, and the Xiaomi Mi TV Stick being on the horizon. It looks like Google may be pushing for smaller devices for Android TV, as opposed to the big set-top boxes like the NVIDIA SHIELD TV and even the Nexus Player from many years ago.
Don’t expect NVIDIA to give up its set-top box style though. As the SHIELD is used for more than just Android TV, but also as a full-fledged gaming console.