Can we agree that “Google Chromecast with Google TV” was horrible branding? Effectively, that’s over now – meet the Google TV Streamer (4K). Higher? It’s much less repetitive, no less than. And it comes with {hardware} enhancements: quicker chipset, quicker networking, sensible residence connectivity too.
Google says that the Streamer has a 22% quicker processor, which is a bit lower than what we had been hoping for, contemplating that the Chromecast 4K mannequin is from 2020. A extra notable enchancment is doubling the RAM (to 4GB) and quadrupling the on-board storage (to 32GB).
Google TV Streamer (4K) in Porcelain and Hazel (Google Retailer unique)
Additionally, you not want the foolish Ethernet adapter if you wish to use wired LAN, there’s a port proper on the machine. Even higher, it’s a gigabit port (the Chromecast + adapter may solely do 100Mbps). Additionally on board is a single USB-C port for energy and (optionally) knowledge. Now that the machine is bigger, we’d have appreciated an additional USB port, however no luck on that one. No microSD card slot both.
The Google TV Streamer has an on-board HDMI 2.1 port and a gigabit Ethernet jack
The HDMI 2.1 port helps 4K HDR at 60fps output with HDR10(+), Dolby Imaginative and prescient and HLG. For audio, there are the standard Dolby requirements together with Atmos. We guess you’re anxious to know whether or not Google lastly added AV1 help… it ought to have, as that’s now a requirement, however the official specs web page makes no point out of codec help.
The distant management has been barely redesigned and now helps “find my remote”. You’ll be able to push a button in the back of the Google TV Streamer and the distant will begin beeping. This may be activated with a voice command too, however you want a Pixel telephone or a Google Assistant-enabled sensible speaker. The ergonomics of the distant have been improved, together with issues like including a grippy texture on the again.
Barely redesigned distant management
Wi-fi connectivity is nearly the identical – Wi-Fi 5 (ac) at 2.4GHz and 5GHz, plus Bluetooth 5.1. The attention-grabbing change right here is the addition of Matter, which turns the Streamer right into a Google Dwelling hub. And it acts as a Thread border router too.
A brand new customizable button on the distant will be programmed to open whichever app you select (e.g. launching the Google Dwelling panel) or switching inputs. The sensible residence performance consists of checking Nest Doorbell cameras and controlling the brand new Nest Studying Thermostat.
Google Dwelling options • Discover my distant button
Google didn’t miss the chance to combine its Gemini AI into the TV Streamer. The AI is used for content material advice, which works throughout all of your subscriptions (YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, and so forth.). It additionally writes up issues like full summaries and opinions of films and reveals or season-by-season breakdowns.
The Google TV Streamer (4K) is on pre-order beginning at present, it prices $100. You could find the Porcelain model on Amazon and Google’s on-line retailer, the Hazel colorway is unique to Google. Observe that this will likely be a prolonged pre-order because the TV Streamer will solely ship on September 24.
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