Samsung sets sights on Apple TV with new HomeSync media streamer

Samsung sets sights on Apple TV with new HomeSync media streamer
HomeSync brings local storage and Google Play access

The early launches at MWC 2013 keep on coming, with Samsung unveiling a new HomeSync set-top box running Android Jelly Bean.

The new media streamer, which will compete directly against Apple TV, will serve up a host of popular video on demand services through full access to the Google Play store.

Naturally, that also means that the best Android games, music services and online portals will be available on the big screen TV, at full 1080p HD resolution, where available.

The HomeSync box is not, however, a Google TV branded product.

Look out, Apple TV

As well as freer access to a greater range of apps than Apple TV, Samsung's HomeSync will also have another leg-up on Cupertino's favourite "hobby project".

It has a 1TB HDD meaning users can store a host of their favourite media content on the device, with up to eight members of the household able to set up user accounts for private or shared storage.

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The second and third generation Apple TV products ditched local storage for a streaming-only solution, which has so far served the company well.

Like Apple TV, users will be also able to control the box from a smartphone app.

Spec-heavy

Other top-line HomeSync specs include a 1.7GHz dual-core CPU, while there's 1GB of RAM to keep things ticking over smoothly.

There's also Bluetooth 4.0, Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi, USB 3.0, micro USB and an optical audio out.

The device will go on sale in April in the US initially, before a global expansion later in the year.

Pricing has not yet been announced.

Chris Smith

A technology journalist, writer and videographer of many magazines and websites including T3, Gadget Magazine and TechRadar.com. He specializes in applications for smartphones, tablets and handheld devices, with bylines also at The Guardian, WIRED, Trusted Reviews and Wareable. Chris is also the podcast host for The Liverpool Way. As well as tech and football, Chris is a pop-punk fan and enjoys the art of wrasslin'.