An Android computer in the size of a USB stick – ‘Project Ophelia’

The Dell Inc. (formerly Dell Computer), one of the leading American multinational computer technology corporation based in Round Rock, Texas, United States, that develops, sells, repairs and supports computers and related products and services, is said to be working on a new device under the code-name “Project Ophelia”.

Most of the time, little computers aren’t products of the big name hardware manufacturers. Dell has apparently taken note of the tiny computer market, and has responded with the oft-rumored Project Ophelia, a $100 Android-powered USB stick PC that plugs into any monitor’s HDMI slot.

Here are some of it’s features:

• Integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
• Built on the Android 4 OS — supports Web browsing, social networking, media playback and Android Apps.
• Allows instant access to the countless apps available on the Google Play Store.
• Securely connects to Windows desktops and applications running on back-end systems from all leading infrastructure providers including Citrix, Microsoft and VMware.
• No batteries to charge or change – it self-powers through the display it’s plugged into.
• Remembers settings for each individual to enhance usability.
• Compatible with many existing Dell Wyse thin clients and software products.
• Managed by Dell Wyse Cloud Client Manager software as a service (SaaS) which offers enhanced security and authentication.

It can also be used to power virtual instances of other desktop operating systems on a remote server or in the cloud. Sources from IDG News Service says, Dell’s Project Ophelia “can turn any screen or display with an HDMI port into a PC, gaming machine, or streaming media player.”

For the past five years, Dell has been moving gradually away from its consumer PC roots. The company’s desktop and mobile computer business has suffered in the global PC-buying slump of the last year. Its consumer segment has been losing money, while the enterprise business outside of PC sales accounts for a majority of Dell’s revenue.  The struggling PC vendor will apparently use Ophelia to help reinvent itself as company founder Michael Dell continues his efforts to take Dell private, and now the computer on a stick is one step closer to launching.

“Project Ophelia” will be available during the first half of this year. Now it’s shipping to beta testers ahead of a public release scheduled for this fall.  The device will be priced around $100, IDG claims.