Google is making waves ahead of its upcoming hardware event by unveiling the successor to the Chromecast: the Google TV Streamer. Priced at $99.99, this set-top box offers a slew of improvements over the Chromecast with Google TV, including enhanced performance, integration with Thread and Matter, and new handy features like a remote finder.
Enhanced Performance and Hardware Upgrades
The Google TV Streamer isn’t just a rehash of the Chromecast; it’s a significant upgrade designed to deliver a superior entertainment experience. One of the standout features is the built-in Ethernet jack, which ensures a more stable internet connection compared to Wi-Fi alone. While this means you’ll need to supply your own HDMI cable, the trade-off is a more robust and reliable device.
Aesthetically, the Google TV Streamer sports a sleek, low-profile design available in two colors: porcelain (white) and hazel (dark gray), with the latter being exclusive to the Google Store. Unlike its predecessor, this device is meant to be displayed under your TV, blending seamlessly with your home decor. This design choice is practical, considering the device’s Thread border router and Matter connectivity support.
Smart Home Integration
Google has upped the ante by integrating smart home controls directly into the Google TV Streamer. With a single button press on the remote, users can pull up a Google Home panel on the right side of their TV screen, allowing for easy control over smart home devices and cameras from the comfort of their couch. This feature, combined with Thread hardware, positions the Google TV Streamer as a future-proof device ready to integrate seamlessly with evolving smart home ecosystems.
Improved Entertainment Capabilities
At its core, the Google TV Streamer remains an entertainment powerhouse. Addressing long-standing customer desires for better performance, the new device boasts a processor that is 22 percent faster than its predecessor, double the RAM, and 32GB of integrated storage. These enhancements promise a smoother user experience, free from the lag and navigation issues that plagued the Chromecast with Google TV.
While the Google TV Streamer may not match the performance of the Nvidia Shield TV or Apple TV 4K, these upgrades are a significant step forward. The device supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, ensuring high-quality audio and visual experiences. You can still cast content to the Google TV Streamer, maintaining the functionality of the Chromecast despite the name change. Additionally, it is among the first streaming devices to be powered by USB-C, featuring HDMI 2.1a, Wi-Fi 5, gigabit Ethernet, and Bluetooth 5.1.
Remote Control Redesign
The bundled remote has also seen thoughtful design tweaks. Volume buttons are now conveniently located on the face of the remote instead of the side, and a new customizable button allows users to open the Google Home panel, launch their favorite streaming apps, or switch HDMI inputs. One of the most practical new features is the remote finder button on the back of the Google TV Streamer. Press it, and the remote will emit a beeping sound, making it easy to locate when it inevitably gets lost in the depths of your couch.
Software and AI Features
On the software front, Google is leveraging its Gemini AI to enhance the browsing experience with full summaries, reviews, and season-by-season breakdowns of content. While the Google TV interface already offers personalized recommendations and context like Rotten Tomatoes scores, these new AI features add an extra layer of detail for viewers. Users can also create generative AI screensavers, although this feature might be a novelty that fades after a few uses. The ambient mode’s ability to showcase Google Photos albums, however, is a genuinely useful addition.
Conclusion
The Google TV Streamer is shaping up to be a formidable competitor to the Apple TV 4K. Google’s focus on value and price without compromising performance, combined with smart home features and significant hardware upgrades, suggests that this might be the perfect formula to capture the attention of consumers. However, the ultimate test will be in real-world performance, which we’ll have to wait until September 24th to see.
In summary, the Google TV Streamer promises to be a powerful and versatile addition to your home entertainment setup, potentially setting a new standard for what we can expect from streaming devices. Stay tuned for its release and prepare to experience the next evolution in home entertainment.
