Quickflix launches HDMI dongle to make dumb TVs 'smart'

Quickflix have today paired with Dish TV to launch the SmartVU TV stick, an Android-powered device designed to turn your regular old HDMI-capable TV into a 'smart' TV.

The adapter can be plugged into any TV with an HDMI input port. It will come with Quickflix preinstalled, as well as a host of other apps including IMDB, YouTube, Spotify, Gmail, Trade Me, The New Zealand Herald's app and, of course, social networking sites Facebook and Twitter.

Users are also able to download additional apps from the Google Play store.

The SmartVU stick runs on Android 4.0 and has a dedicated remote control which can also be used as a pointer.

"Our partnership with Dish TV means that affordable streaming entertainment without the need for a set-top box," said Quickflix's managing director, Paddy Buckley.

The SmartVU is available at Bond & Bond, Noel Leeming and Harvey Norman for $139. It can also be purchased from Dish TV's website for $160.