Google recently unveiled its new streaming device, the Google TV Streamer. This new set-top box is set to replace the older Chromecast model, boasting significantly improved specifications and features tailored to enhance both entertainment and smart home management.
Key features and specifications
The Google TV Streamer addresses one of the primary limitations of the Chromecast: storage. With 32GB of onboard storage, it vastly outperforms the 8GB available on the 2020 Chromecast. This ample storage ensures users can install numerous apps without worrying about running out of space.
Complementing this storage is 4GB of RAM, a notable upgrade from previous models. This increase in memory is expected to enhance performance, making the device quicker and more responsive. In comparison, the Nvidia Shield TV Pro, a popular high-end streaming device, has only 3GB of RAM. This suggests that the Google TV Streamer will offer superior performance, especially for resource-intensive applications.
Chipset
While Google has been somewhat secretive about the specific chipset powering the Google TV Streamer, there are indications that it might be the MediaTek MT8696. This chip, used in devices like Amazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K Max, operates at a clock speed of 2.0GHz and supports AV1, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+. These capabilities align with the features advertised for the Google TV Streamer, making this speculation quite plausible.
Design and connectivity
In a departure from the dongle form factor of the Chromecast, the Google TV Streamer is designed as a set-top box meant to sit on a flat surface. This design change allows for better hardware integration, including a redesigned voice remote with a customizable button. The device supports both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity, ensuring stable internet access for streaming.
AI Integration
The Google TV Streamer leverages AI to offer personalized content suggestions, create custom watchlists, and generate unique screensavers using generative AI. The inclusion of the Gemini AI enhances the device’s ability to summarize reviews and provide detailed content breakdowns. This integration aims to streamline the user experience, making content discovery and management more intuitive.
Smart home hub capabilities
Beyond streaming, the Google TV Streamer doubles as a smart home hub. It supports the Matter smart home standard and includes a Thread border router for improved connectivity with smart home devices. The Google Home panel integration allows users to manage their smart home devices directly from their TV, offering convenient access to cameras, thermostats, lights, and more.
Voice remote improvements
The new voice remote features a textured back for better grip, relocated volume buttons for easier access, and a customizable button for added functionality. Additionally, users can locate the remote using a voice command or a button on the device, addressing a common issue with remote controls.
Availability and pricing
The Google TV Streamer is available for pre-order starting today, with an official release date of September 24, 2024. Priced at $99.99, it is positioned to compete with other high-end streaming devices like the Apple TV 4K and Roku Ultra. Available in Porcelain and Hazel, the latter color is exclusive to the Google Store.
