Streaming sticks and dongles have dominated the media business for a few years, with tech corporations touting the advantages of gadgets that may plug into the again of your telly – out of sight, out of thoughts.
Nevertheless, leaked photographs and specs counsel that Google is taking a unique tack, transferring again in the direction of the normal set-top field type of gadgets that aren’t as widespread as they was once.
First reported by 9to5Google, this new set-top field will allegedly function new port assist and different components at present not accessible on Google’s present Chromecast gadget.
However is that this set-top field legit? And if that’s the case, when will it launch? We’ve answered all of your burning questions beneath.
When might the Google TV Streamer be launched?
The leaks shared don’t specify a launch date for the Google TV Streamer. Nevertheless, the following ‘Made by Google’ occasion takes place on 13 August, and it’s anticipated to disclose the brand new Pixel 9 collection and different {hardware} akin to the following watch, foldable cellphone and so forth.
Due to this fact, there is an opportunity that Google may additionally reveal the TV Streamer right here. This is able to make sense, contemplating that rumours of the product have simply begun to floor, and that it’s been 4 years because the final mannequin.
Nevertheless, it could nonetheless be within the early growth stage – we’ll be taught extra when the occasion begins.
How a lot will the Google TV Streamer value?
No costs had been introduced within the Google TV Streamer leaks. Nevertheless, we will have a look at the launch costs of previous media gadgets from the model for reference:
- Chromecast 1st-gen (2013) – £30/$35
- Chromecast 2nd-gen (2015) – £30/$35
- Chromecast Third-gen (2018) – £30/$35
- Chromecast Extremely – £69/$70
- Chromecast with Google TV – £59/$49
If the Google TV Streamer has extra options than the Chromecast with Google TV, then we’d count on the worth to be nearer to this and the price of the Extremely (between £59/$49 and £69/$70) – particularly contemplating that the present Google TV mannequin has dropped to nearly half worth on the time of writing.
What are the specs and construct of the Google TV Streamer?
Design
The leaked Google TV Streamer is a set-top field, with a slanted pill-shape. The picture proven solely showcases a white color, although earlier Chromecast gadgets got here in a number of shades. Two wires protrude from the again within the picture, which we assume are for the facility and HDMI.
The flattish form ought to imply that it’s going to match underneath most TVs which have a spot beneath, or in a unit that your TV stands on. So, it gained’t be utterly inconspicuous – however that doesn’t appear to be a priority for Google.
The photographs additionally present an extended distant, slightly than the round one seen on previous fashions. The quantity rocker has been moved from the aspect to the entrance, with an additional magic/star shortcut button that may be customised to be assigned to a particular service.
You’ll additionally get the standard energy button, house button (which is now greyed out) and a microphone, which now has a generic icon, slightly than the dots that signify Google Assistant. There are additionally shortcuts for Netflix and YouTube.
Options
In keeping with a brand new report from 9to5Google (based mostly on knowledge from Quanta Pc, the producer of the Pixelbook, Pixel Slate, and Pixelbook Go), the Google TV Streamer will function Ethernet and USB ports.
Which means you will get a secure wired web connection (as with the Chromecast Extremely) and join different gadgets with USB assist.
The field additionally allegedly has the next radio alerts:
- Bluetooth
- Wi-Fi 2.4GHz 802.11b/g/n
- Wi-Fi 5GHz 802.11a/n/ac
- Thread
The latter will will let you join with different gadgets which have Google Assistant on your house ecosystem, with out the necessity for a hub. The Pixel 9 gadgets are additionally rumoured to be coming with Thread radio.
Different specification rumours haven’t but surfaced, so we don’t know what streaming high quality it can assist, what processor it can run on or how a lot RAM/storage will likely be included. For reference, the present Chromecast with Google TV runs on an Amlogic S905X3 CPU and has 2GB of RAM and 8GB of storage.
Contemplating Google is altering the scale of the gadget considerably, we’d count on these specs to be beefed up barely.
Software program
As it is a Google gadget, it can nearly definitely run on the most recent model of Google TV OS. The newest model consists of AI suggestions for TV collection and movies, Android 14 assist for TV and redesigned icons.
Primarily based on earlier gadgets, the interface is clear and syncs with different Google accounts, and there’s a wide selection of streaming and leisure apps supported.
Is Google ditching the Chromecast?
If 9to5Google’s claims are right, sure. The Google TV Streamer will exchange the present Chromecast with Google TV. Nevertheless, many of those merchandise are usually nonetheless accessible from third-party retailers for a short time after new generations are launched.
This clearly is probably not perfect for anybody quick on area – if that’s you, then check out our chart of one of the best streaming sticks for extra alternate options.