After more than a decade in use, Google is abandoning the Chromecast in favor of the new Google TV StreamerThat makes sense, as Google’s bespoke TV interface faces increasing competition from some of the best streaming devices from Roku, Apple and Fire TV.
Aside from the name change, what are the main upgrades that differentiate the Google TV streamer from its long-standing predecessor in Google Chromecast? AI is at the forefront of most innovations these days, and that’s true of the new $99 Google TV streamer. A redesigned design also gives it a (literal) edge over the competition.
Fans of the popular Chromecast need not worry, as Google has confirmed that it will continue to support the existing devices with security and software updates, although it’s not clear for exactly how long. So let’s take a look at all the things the Google TV streamer can now do and whether an upgrade might be worth it.
design
Google is pursuing a similar approach with its TV streamer as with the Roku Ultra or Fire TV Cube while ditching the dongle design in favor of a small, sleek set-top box. It has a slanted shape that looks almost like a Wi-Fi router and will be available in Porcelain and Hazel colors, the latter of which will only be available in the U.S.
The remote also gets a complete redesign, which is most noticeable in the changed button layout as well as a new textured back for more ergonomics and comfort. The back and home buttons are now right next to each other under the D-pad, with all the audio buttons located below it (and the volume control is now on the front of the remote rather than on the side).
Design-wise, it looks quite functional and, unlike other bulkier options, seems to fit easily in most places near your TV. Interestingly, the Google TV Streamer does have an HDMI 2.1a port, although it’s limited to just 4K 60Hz, meaning modern consoles or even the best gaming PCs won’t have access to ALLM or VRR, as well as eARC for wider audio support.
The Google TV Streamer will also be one of Google’s first streaming devices to feature an Ethernet port that also uses Wi-Fi 5. Rounding out the I/O setup is a USB-C port for power. It will also feature Bluetooth 5.1, making it easy to pair with some of the best wireless earbuds.
Improved performance
With 32GB of storage, the Google TV streamer has four times as much storage as the Chromecast, which should provide more than enough room for plenty of apps and additional content. However, it pales in comparison to the Apple TV 4K, which has 128GB.
And as if the internal storage capacity wasn’t enough, Google has also equipped its new TV streamer with 4GB of RAM. That may not sound like much on paper, but that’s already double the amount of the Chromecast with Google TV 4K and significantly more than the 512MB of the original Chromecast.
Google claims its new streaming device will be 22% faster thanks to its improved processor, which should address concerns about previous Chromecast devices and their sluggish performance. It hasn’t yet detailed what kind of chip the TV streamer uses or who is providing it, but its improved nature should provide a little relief for users of older Chromecast devices.
While previous versions used the Amlogic chipset, Android Authority claims that the new device is powered by a MediaTek MT8696 processor, giving the streaming device similar support features to its predecessors, including HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos. A similar chip can be found in the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max, one of the best streaming devices, making it a worthwhile choice for Google’s latest product.
Twins and AI
Google Gemini gives the TV streamer some advantages thanks to its AI integrations, which come in the form of customized recommendations that match your viewing habits. Gemini can also analyze a variety of information about shows, including reviews and synopsis, and even full breakdowns by season, so you don’t have to be tempted to rewatch every episode before the next one comes out.
Following in the footsteps of similar offerings like the Roku Pro Series TV’s Backdrops mode and Fire TV’s Ambient Experience, the Google TV streamer can seamlessly blend into its surroundings with beautiful, user-driven, AI-generated art. Of course, you can always opt to use images from your Google Photos library, but then how could you create a unique coloring book for a screensaver?
Although the TV Streamer is not part of Google’s Gemini integration, it can also help you find the remote if you ever lose it on the couch, using the Google Assistant and a dedicated “Find My Remote” button on the back of the Google TV Streamer.
Smart home integrations
Given that your smart TV is quickly becoming the hub of your smart home, it’s no surprise that a number of these features are making their way to the Google TV streamer. Not only will Google’s latest streaming box be Matter-enabled, but it will also feature a built-in Thread border router that should make communicating with devices throughout your home much easier.
And that’s not all, because it will also come with a smart home panel similar to that of the Google Pixel tablet, giving you a variety of controls over all your connected devices, including smart thermostats, video doorbells, home security cameras, and more. You’ll also find the doorbell notifications very handy during summer gatherings, which even give you real-time feeds of your front door right on the connected TV.
Will the Google TV streamer become one of the best smart home hubs? It’s too early to tell, but extras like motion sensors and smoke detectors could make it a true all-round smart home device.
Should you upgrade to the Google TV streamer?
Compared to its Chromecast predecessors, the Google TV streamer looks like a real upgrade. Will the much cheaper Chromecast be missed? I’m sure there are plenty of fans out there, but given that it’s been around for nearly a decade and doesn’t have much to offer given the increasingly familiar Google TV name, it’s safe to say that Chromecast is long overdue for an overhaul.
And for just $99, it’s a whole new take: you get everything from AI-generated art as your screensaver to control over your entire smart home ecosystem to access to a wide range of the best streaming services – all with minimal effort.
Stay tuned to read our full review and see how the Google TV streamer stacks up against some of its closest competitors.
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