Google Set to Ditch Chromecast, Introduce Google TV Streamer: All the Details
While the Chromecast TV dongles from Google have been a popular option to stream content for nearly 10 years, it appears that the internet search giant is soon to ditch Chromecast in place of its Google TV Streamer device. Everything you need to know about this device is here.
As per a report by 9To5Google, the upcoming streaming device that will be launched as ‘Google TV Streamer’ is under development. Two observations about this shift are important changes in how Google does streaming hardware.
Design and Features
The publication included several images of the device, which features an oval shape that makes it look like a tiny set-top box. The Google TV Streamer has a narrow base and resembles the Pixel Tablet Charging Speaker Dock. It has rear-housed power and HDMI cables which suggest a simple connection layout. The ability to Tap and Cast is one of the prominent features. It was seen last year in Google Pixel Tablet which also supported this feature of making a cast with just a tap for better user convenience and ease of connectivity as well.
New Google TV Streamer Remote
The coming device will have a newly designed remote, and this one is longer than the previous Chromecast remotes. Features of the new remote:
- D-Pad: A traditional directional pad for navigation.
- Main Functions: Home and Back Buttons
- Microphone Button: Use your voice to enter characters and perform operations
- Home Bold Key: New design with bold coloring
- Volume Rocker: Now on the front for a more natural grip.
- Mute Button: A button to mute audio fast.
- Special Buttons: YouTube and Netflix app buttons
- Mystery Button: Is this a new button? What functionality does it provide?
Chromecast to Die a Slow Death
The fate of the Chromecast dongle itself is still up in the air. Google may just want to keep it as an ultra-cheap streaming option or go all-in on its new TV-streamer. Google is seemingly going down the path of trying to provide an even more feature-rich, integrated streaming experience.
Google is also expected to unveil the Pixel 9 phones on August 13, around when this event might go live. Chances are also that Google teases the new Google TV Streamer at this event. It’s a reasonably good guess, though: it lines up with when Google tends to show off new hardware alongside its latest flagship smartphones.
The Google TV Streamer represents a new start for Google-made streaming hardware, to better align with the rest of their product design and privacy commitments. If the new features and remote are any indication, it appears Google is trying to bring an altogether more premium streaming experience with its upcoming Google TV Streamer.
We await official word from Google, but it will be interesting to see—if the new device is real—how it stacks up against Chromecast as well as other streaming devices on sale. More details will become available on August 13 at an event from the company, which is also when we could hear more about Google’s vision for its first-party Google TV Streamer.