The MiiPC is a wonderful concept that’s gone out to crowd funding at Kickstarter. The device is pretty simple — it’s a small form-factor PC that runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.
- Processor: Marvell® New Armada® Dual Core 1.2GHz SoC
- Memory: 1GB RAM
- Storage: 4GB Internal Flash (expandable via SD Slot and USB port)
- Connectivity: WiFi (802.11 b/g/n), 10/100Mb Ethernet, and Bluetooth® wireless technology (4.0)
- I/O: 2 USB 2.0 Ports, Speaker & Microphone Jack, HDMI (1080p/720p) output
Update: MiiPC have told us they will offer the 2x Memory Upgrade (2GB RAM, 8GB Flash) option to all backers at less than $20 (probably around $15) via Survey after the campaign.
The MiiPC will ship with the unit itself, a power adapter and quick start guide. As is becoming the trend these days, peripherals such as keyboard, mouse, monitors and HDMI connector cables will be separate purchases — something that’s not new to anyone who’s bought a Chromebox, Mac Mini, or other ‘box-only’ device in recent times.
The MiiPC is a small form-factor PC running Android 4.2 Jelly Bean (so, it’s already pretty cool) but the magic really starts with the active monitoring of users internet usage. By creating user profiles on the MiiPC, parents (a target market for the MiiPC) can set time limits and application restrictions. Parents can also monitor usage of different applications and websites, allowing the parent concerned about their child’s internet use to measure how much time is spent on social networking sites like Twitter or Facebook, or playing games like Angry Birds. Use of these options also allows a measure of remote supervision, allowing kids to use the net ‘unsupervised’, while still allowing parents to keep an eye on what’s happening if they choose.
How does this all happen? MiiPC will be able to be remotely managed via a smartphone app too, meaning parents can see what their kids are up to in some detail without actually being physically present. As a parent of 2 young kids, knowing how much of a dangerous place the internet can be for youngsters it’s caught my attention and I’ve decided to back the project. If the MiiPC catches your attention too, you’ve got 23 days (at the time of writing this article) to back the project on Kickstarter before the price goes up.
Does the concept of remotely monitoring your kids internet usage and managing it interest you? Is the MiiPC just a great little unit anyway? Let us know in the comments below.
Would be great for a media TV . although, so are the HDMI plug-android-go stick ones.
As a parent of a (nearly) 4 and (nearly) 6 year old, I looked at this with great interest, but it’s not really a $99 PC. For one, you have to pay an additional $30 for shipping to Australia, $10ish for a power adaptor, and you still need a keyboard, monitor, speakers, mouse etc. All this, and no security system beats telling a child they can only use the internet when YOU ARE IN THE ROOM. Seriously, why does a child need unsupervised internet access anyway? A much better idea is to buy them a cheap 10″ tablet, and not… Read more »
But a tablet is portable, so it’s harder to restrict access to it. Better to have some sort of desktop PC in a public room where it’s easy to check on their use.