Goodbye, Google Chromecast: This week, Google has finally unveiled its long-awaited successor to the Chromecast with Google TV, introducing the new Google TV Streamer.
This upgraded device marks the end of the Chromecast era, replacing the popular low-cost streaming dongles with a more premium set-top box.
And it’s about time – the 4K Chromecast, released in 2020, was showing its age. Four years is ancient in tech terms, and users have begun to notice its sluggish performance and outdated specs.
The new Google TV Streamer addresses these issues head-on, boasting a faster processor, double the memory, and 32GB of storage for smoother navigation and quicker app loading times.
But it’s not just about speed. The Streamer introduces several new features, including AI-powered (of course) content recommendations powered by Google’s Gemini technology, a redesigned remote with a customizable button, and enhanced smart home capabilities.
The Google TV Streamer is set to launch on September 24, 2024 in the US for $99.99, and £99 in the UK.
The new Streamer nearly doubles the cost of the previous 4K Chromecast, which retailed at £59 in the UK, and it’s certainly more expensive than competing products such as the Fire TV 4K Max and the Roku 4K Streaming Stick.
From Chromecast To Google TV
The introduction of the Google TV Streamer marks the end of an era for the Chromecast line, which has been a popular choice in many households since its debut in 2013.
The original Chromecast was a unique device, offering a simple and affordable way to stream content to televisions.
Priced at just £30, it was a small HDMI dongle that allowed users to ‘cast’ content from their phones or laptops directly to their TVs.
Its simplicity and low cost made it an instant hit, although – for some – that simplicity was its Achilles heel, as the Chromecast didn’t have a native interface, or even a remote – everything had to be controlled via your smartphone.
In 2015, Google released the second-generation Chromecast, maintaining the same price point but improving Wi-Fi connectivity and introducing a range of colours.
The Chromecast Audio, designed specifically for music streaming to speakers, was also launched that year but was discontinued in 2019.
2016 saw the introduction of the Chromecast Ultra, which brought 4K and HDR capabilities to the line for £69. This model coexisted with the standard HD Chromecast for several years.
A significant shift came in 2020 with the Chromecast with Google TV (4K).
Priced at £59, it was the first to include a remote control and a full-fledged operating system, Google TV, offering a more traditional streaming experience with native apps, alongside casting capabilities.
This was followed in 2022 by a cheaper HD version at £34.99, which maintained most features but capped resolution at 1080p.
Throughout its lifetime, the Chromecast line has been praised for its simplicity, affordability, and regular software updates that continually add new features.
However, not everything was perfect, particularly in the UK – to this day, Channel 4 doesn’t have a native app on Google TV, for example (so it only works via casting from your phone).
Also, over the years, the 4K Chromecast started to feel a bit sluggish – so a new hardware version was very much due.
The New Google TV Streamer (4K)
This new 4K set-top (or rather set-under) streamer boasts several upgrades over its Chromecast predecessors – though not necessarily as powerful as some may have hoped (especially at its higher price point).
The Google TV Streamer features an improved processor (“22% faster” according to Google), double the memory at 4GB, and 32GB of storage, promising faster app load times and smoother navigation.
The device supports 4K HDR with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, aiming to deliver a more cinematic experience – as long as you have the right TV and the right speakers.
Unlike the discreet Chromecast, the Google TV Streamer is designed to sit in front of your TV. It measures 162.6 x 76.2 x 25.4 mm and weighs 161.6 grams, making it a more substantial (but still lightweight) presence in your living room.
The device comes in two colours – Porcelain and Hazel (Hazel is currently exclusive to the US Google Store).
Connectivity options have been expanded, with the inclusion of an ethernet port alongside Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The device also supports Matter and includes a built-in Thread border router, enhancing its capabilities as a smart home hub.
The new voice remote has been redesigned as well, based on user feedback, featuring improved ergonomics and a customisable button.
A useful addition is the ability to locate a lost remote by voice command through a Google Assistant-enabled speaker or Pixel phone, or by pressing a button on the back of the Streamer.
And of course, one can’t launch anything these days without including some sort of AI – and indeed, the new Google TV Streamer integrates Google’s Gemini AI technology.
This artificial intelligence addition promises to bring new levels of personalization and functionality to the streaming experience.
Users will be able to access AI-powered content summaries, detailed reviews, and season-by-season breakdowns of shows and movies.
Additionally, the Gemini technology powers an ambient mode that can transform your idle TV into a work of art (similar to Amazon’s Ambient mode for the Fire TV).
Users can even create unique screensaver art using generative AI, either by voice command or through a guided experience.
And as before, the Google TV Streamer will support a wide range of streaming services and apps – from the major global services like Netflix and Disney+, to the UK broadcasters like BBC iPlayer and ITVX.
No Longer The Affordable Option
At its new, higher price point, the Google TV Streamer tries to position itself as a competitor to the Apple TV 4K (which is even more expensive) and the Fire TV Cube, rather than staying in the streaming stick playground.
Days will tell whether that’s the right way to go – and, of course, it depends on whether the actual device works (and feels) better than its lower-cost competitors.
For those still interested in the older Chromecast models, time may be running out. The 4K Chromecasts are currently out of stock on the Google Store in the UK and many other retailers, and there is no clear indication of when or if they will be available again.
Some stock does remain with select retailers, but these may be the last units available as Google transitions to its new streaming device.
British consumers should note that pre-orders are not yet available in the UK, but Google tells us that the Streamer is set to launch on September 24, the same time as the US.
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Unfortunately this device does not run dual WiFi no2.4G only 5.0G although I believe it supports 1000 mbps hardwire,4G of ram and 32G of storage is a nice touch but when they say 22% faster what are they measuring it against.
Will the new streamer have the previously missing native app for Channel 4?
Will any of the current streaming devices have the terrestrial channels easy to access rather than having to go to each TV channel own catch-up app? Something like the new Freely?
I’m not aware of any plans for something like that, at least at this point.