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They took their time (7+ months of it) but finally, Samsung’s $300 HomeSync Android-based media box is available for sale. The device, which Samsung describes as “the center of a household’s connected life” is compatible with any TV that has an HDMI port.
The HomeSync allows you to browse the web, watch YouTube as well as download apps from Google Play. Though they say any app can be compatible with the HomeSync with a single line of code, they haven’t gone on record to mention which ones would be at launch.
One key feature that they are touting is the free 1TB of cloud storage provided that can be shared by up to 8 users, with the idea being that members of a family can sync their media to the common storage to share with the family. In theory, that sounds great, particularly considering the cost of a terabyte of cloud storage (Google charges $50/month). You also get a $50 credit for Samsung’s Media Hub.
Unfortunately, the HomeSync lacks in far too many respects to justify us recommending it. First and foremost, the lack of key apps like Netflix, Hulu or any other key media streaming app. The Google Chromecast (which is back in stock on Amazon) has its limitations in that respect, but at just over 1/10th the cost it provides more content out of the box. Also, and this is starting to look like an unfortunate practice by Samsung, the HomeSync can be controlled only by a few Galaxy devices.
Samsung has also built a custom interface on top of Android 4.2 instead of using Google TV, but you can’t really blame them for that due to the lack of love Google is showing to its own platform.
At the end of the day, it all boils down to ecosystems. If you do want to purchase one, you can do so online at Amazon or visit Best Buy.
Tech Specs
| Component | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | GAIA 1.7 GHz (Cortex A15 dual core) | |
| Memory | 2 GB DDR3 + 8 GB eMMC + 1 TB HDD | |
| OS | Android, v4.2 (Jelly Bean) | |
| Display | N/A | |
| Resolution | N/A | |
| Camera | N/A | |
| Body | Dimensions | 183.5 x 135.8 x 29.9 |
| Weight | 730 g | |
| Connectivity | 3G/4G | N/A |
| LAN | Gigabit Ethernet | |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 b/g/n 2.4 GHz & a/n 5 GHz HT40 2×2 MIMO Channel Bonding | |
| Bluetooth | V4.0 | |
| Interface | USB 3.0 | External USB I/F Connection (x 2) |
| Micro USB | PC Connection 5pin mUSB (x1) | |
| HDMI out | Supported (HDMI1.4, Maximum Resolution: FHD) | |
| Optical Audio | Audio Amp. Connection | |
| Codec | Video | H.264, H.263, MPEG4, VC-1, Sorenson Spark, WMV7/8, MP43, VP8, DivX |
| Audio | MP3, AAC LC/AAC+/eAAC+, WMA 9 standard/10pro/Lossless, FLAC, Vorbis, AMR-NB/WB, Wav, Mid, AC-3, DTS | |
| DRM | HDCP 1.3/2.1, Playready, Widevine, Trustzone | |
OK, I’m a little confused. You said, “they haven’t gone on record to mention which ones would be at launch.” So it sounds like you don’t know what can and can’t be used, but then you said, “the lack of key apps like Netflix, Hulu or any other key media streaming app.” That makes it sound like you DO know that those apps won’t make the cut.
At the end of the day, even if you can’t use Netflix, Hulu, HBO Go, etc…the cloud storage could make it VERY worthwhile to a lot of Android users. Look at the forums, and the biggest complaint against the Chromecast (which I’m very happy/lucky to own) is that it won’t stream local media except through the very bootleg process of putting it in a Chrome tab on a PC or Mac. Rendering and all makes it barely usable. If you can put your personal media library on their cloud servers and call it up, for a $300 one-time fee, I’m half sold. If I don’t see a Chromecast update that allows us to use Drive, Dropbox, etc. by Christmas, I’m getting this bad boy.
As per Samsung, any app can theoretically be compatible, but the developers need to do the slightest bit of work to do so (essentially make their apps compatible to work with “faketouch” in their manifest files). Beyond this, as is the case with the likes of Netflix, Hulu and others, the apps are only available on devices they whitelist.
Hence, as of today, none of the major content streaming services are available except I guess Google Play. The Amazon page linked doesn’t explicitly mention any, so this is something we will probably need an official clarification for.
Regarding local media, there are multiple other options available at a much lower price point. True, they don’t give you a TB of cloud storage, so if that is something important to you, it makes sense. Then again, you also need to have one of a few Samsung Galaxy devices to use as a remote.
There just seem to be several more reasons to not buy this, as compared to buying it. This could be attractive for a small subset of users, which would definitely be a lot more than the case of the Nexus Q. However, I just think this is another one of Samsung’s first attempts at a different aspect of they ecosystem, and should see a lot of change over time.
You say there are a lot more options, please, share. I’ve made digital copies of my entire movie library, and I want to have access to them anywhere, from any device. So, I need cloud based storage that handles video streaming for about 400GB’s (and growing) of data. I also need it to play nice with a portable cloud-to-TV system because plugging my phone into an MHL adapter and losing the use of it is not really an option for me.
Skifta using DLNA can stream media files over 3/4g/internet meaning you can access your media while you are on wifi that your server is not part of. Here is the site http://www.skifta.com/
Sorry, but the solution is incomplete. You need to have your files hosted on a computer that is always on, and that’s not the case here. So, I would have to buy a dedicated computer. Also, you need a DLNA certified device to stream it too, & I don’t have any. So, the Samsung option still sounds cheaper and simpler.
Quite a number of things are DLNA certified and I have no problem accessing my media on my Tablet/Phone with the skifta app.
I have a dvd player, a chromecast, and a wii connected to my tv. None of those are dlna.
You do realize you are not the only one this could apply to right?
You do realize you responded to my thread, right?
Yeah giving you a solution that may or may not help you or others
The worst part though is that you will be committing yourself to use Samsung Galaxy phones only. If you ever want to try something else, you’ll have to keep an old Galaxy lying around just to use the media box.
So far, I’ve had two galaxy phones, and I haven’t seen a compelling reason to leave. Screens are beautiful, cameras are awesome, removeable battery is critically important.
Oh, yeah, and they are easily rootable…
I liked my Galaxy S, but sometimes it’s nice to try other things(and get away from Touchwiz).
Same here, I don’t like the idea of being tied to Samsung.
No thanks
It’s probably region locked and will only work in a toilet!
You can only control it with some galaxy devices? That sounds a bit too restrictive for me. I already have multiple devices and I would never want to intentionally lock myself into a proprietary solution. I always prefer open solutions based on open standards.
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QUESTION: This box has a dual core processor, if this can run on a dual core processor why do we need quad core in phones with limited power supply? $300 is an awful lot of $ to be so restricted. It should have a ton of apps for that price. for $300 you could get a PS3 with free online service, at least 120 gb of storage, and netflix, hulu, youtube, hbo go all work for it. plus it plays games. At $300 there are far too many other options. And yes $100 more you could get the PS4.
I agree, for being a media centered device, its sure lacking in that department. Based on hardware the price is somewhat reasonable considering just a 1 TB drive costs like around 70 bucks than they throw in another TB of cloud space which ultimately isn’t cheap either, your looking at a little over 100$ just for storage, but based on content this thing is definitely not worth the 300$.
300? I think they put one more zero. Should be 30 and compete with Chromecast. xD
Not bad, but maybe for 200?
Per Best Buy
“Stream instant content
Including Netflix, Hulu Plus, Pandora, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and more. Google Play provides access to more than 800,000 apps. HDCP 1.3/2.1 support offers compatibility with most on-demand video services.”
Needing a Samsung Galaxy device to control it is a dealbreaker for me, just like the Gear. I own a Galaxy S3 that I love, but I’m not spending $300 to lock myself into a single manufacturers ecosystem, especially since I can’t even say for sure my next phone will even be a Samsung. Big part of the reason I paid the ETF in the middle of my iPhone 3Gs contract, I wanted Android because it’s open and customizable. Samsung is trying to build their own Apple-like ecosphere using Android, it seems like. Not a fan of that.
Galaxy device only? Fail.
I’m definitely buying one Thursday. Sounds like a win to me, Android apps, 1tb storage, 1tb cloud, allshare cast, and automatically back up of all your photos without the need of a computer is brilliant! All Galaxy phones is all I’m gonna buy from now own anyways. I’ve tried others but keep going back to Samsung. My note 3 is the best phone I’ve ever owned. Thank you Samsung for brining this to the market. $300 isn’t bad considering your getting $50 hub credit and cloud storage on top of everything else.
my roomate’s mom makes $86 an hour on the computer….
http://cort.as/5m3N
Whining, whining and whining. That’s all people do and they do not even knowing why they are doing.
Homesync is a great idea. It’s a personal cloud storage. It comes with 1 TB HDD but you can connect more external hard drives using the USB 3.0 port on the back.
Instead of sending you pictures to Dropbox, Google Drive or “iCloud”, you send to your personal cloud.
It transforms your old TV into a Smartv.
So does a $50 Android stick. (http://www.amazon.com/Version-Bluetooth-Android-Google-Dongle/dp/B00A1ZTQB8/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1381237463&sr=8-7&keywords=imito+mx2) The main differentiation is the cloud storage. If that’s worth $250, then go for it.
Humm….. a propitiatory NAS drive…. NO THANKS!
Checked this device out today at my.local.best buy…. the quality is exceptional as is the concept. … however I refrained from purchasing it for the se I reason others have stated….. the lack of an included remote like a roku or apple.tv has made me walk away. However I did find out that any tv that is CEC HDMI Equipped should allow you to use the remotes D-Pad arrows for basic control of.the device. I mighy actually gp back and get it now that there is a way for others to open an app without a samsung phone being necessary.
Also unknown is that when you register the device you get 50.00 credit to.spend on media hub for apps movies music etc….
Very cool, but too expensive for my taste. I’ll stick with my Android stick.
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