Microsoft working on Miracast Dongle streaming hardware

Microsoft is getting ready to launch a Wi-Fi streaming dongle, an FCC filing suggests.

The FCC Wi-Fi certification document (PDF) names the product simply as “Miracast Dongle” and categorises it as a media adapter.

The device, codenamed HD-10, uses 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only, much like Google’s Chromecast, and is certified for 802.11bgn Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, WPA Personal and WPA2 Personal connectivity.

It also comes with a USB cable and HDMI cable, according to this test report (PDF).

Interestingly, it runs on Linux rather than a stripped-down version of Windows, whereas both Apple TV and Chromecast use a light version of their proprietary operating systems.

Microsoft Dongle vs the competition

That Microsoft is preparing to launch a streaming device of its own is not surprising. Windows Phone 8.1 already has a “Project My Screen” function but it’s only compatible with a limited number of smart TVs.

If Microsoft really wants to take on the likes of Roku, Google and Apple with their various streaming devices, it makes sense for the organisation to launch some hardware as well.

In terms of how it shapes up against the competition, the limited specs available seem to put it almost on a par with the Chromecast, which also only supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, and particularly as Project My Screen is a mirroring function, much like that recently announced for Google’s dongle.

It’s potentially lacking in terms of interoperability – the Roku Streaming Stick and Chromecast both support Android, iOS, Windows and Mac operating systems, while Apple TV supports iOS, Mac and Windows.

We may not have long to wait to find out what the HD-10 is like in the flesh, though. The filing was made by the company’s Microsoft Mobile business unit, which is launching a pair of smartphones on 4 September.