HSTI launched their patented Wireless Media Stick at CES last week. The similarly named USB device is apparently anything but a memory stick. Instead, this device is able to connect your PCs, tablets, set top boxes, media players, and video game consoles to each other over your Wi-Fi.
Files are not stored or moved by the the Wireless Media Stick, but instead streamed to said devices for playback. According to HSTi, it also works with Wi-Fi hotspots and digital picture frames. It’s also compatible with 802.11-g, b, and n bands. It honestly sounds kind of like Colin Ferrell’s jaw-dropping “Spartacus” program in the film, “The Recruit”, which hijacks and streams to any digital device in the area. Amazing, right?
While there are a lot promises regarding HSTi’s device, there has been a lack of demonstration. Their video on their website doesn’t even show it being used, but rather an illustrative example. In addition, WorldProNews got a quick interview with their pitch guy at CES, but even he didn’t really demonstrate Wireless Media Stick in action.
All this talk makes us quite skeptical that the Media Stick even works. It would be amazing to stream content to our picture frames and televisions via a simple USB stick, but clearly those devices would need some sort of Wi-fi set up or USB input to do so. For the $119 HSTi plans to charge for it starting January 15 on their website, you better hope they have a wicked warranty and return policy. We should see the Wireless Media Stick in stores within 6-8 weeks. We recommend you wait for the debunking reviews.
Author’s Update:
In light of several reader’s comments below, I have been persuaded to take a more in-depth look into HSTi’s Wireless Media stick before its release.
As it turns out, there have been more reviews and other demonstration videos of the device presented earlier this year. On none other than HSTi’s YouTube channel, Program Director Harry Diamantopoulos, gives a walk through using the Wireless Media Stick with successful results.
In the video (post set-up), Diamantopoulos manages to connect a Asus Eee netbook to a Samsung Galaxy S smartphone’s Wifi hotspot, and stream HD video content from the netbook’s shared folders onto an HD Samsung television. He does all of this via HSTI’s Wireless Media Stick plugged into the TV’s USB port. It’s actually pretty wild.
After watching this, I became a believer. The streamed video seems crisp, and even the audio sounded decent. I would like to thank you readers for pointing this further evidence out to me. In the future, I’ll try to keep my snark in check and research more thorough.
