Streaming sticks and dongles have dominated the media trade for a few years, with tech firms touting the advantages of units that may plug into the again of your telly – out of sight, out of thoughts.
Nonetheless, leaked photographs and specs counsel that Google is taking a distinct tack, shifting again in the direction of the normal set-top field type of units that aren’t as widespread as they was once.
First reported by 9to5Google, this new set-top field will allegedly characteristic new port assist and different components at present not obtainable on Google’s present Chromecast machine.
However is that this set-top field legit? And in that case, when will it launch? We’ve answered all of your burning questions under.
When might the Google TV Streamer be launched?
The leaks shared don’t specify a launch date for the Google TV Streamer. Nonetheless, the subsequent ‘Made by Google’ occasion takes place on 13 August, and it’s anticipated to disclose the brand new Pixel 9 sequence and different {hardware} similar to the subsequent watch, foldable cellphone and so on.
Subsequently, there is an opportunity that Google might also reveal the TV Streamer right here. This might make sense, contemplating that rumours of the product have simply begun to floor, and that it’s been 4 years because the final mannequin.
Nonetheless, it might nonetheless be within the early growth stage – we’ll study extra when the occasion begins.
How a lot will the Google TV Streamer value?
No costs have been introduced within the Google TV Streamer leaks. Nonetheless, we are able to take a look at the launch costs of previous media units 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 anticipate 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 virtually 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 units 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 niche 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, quite than the round one seen on previous fashions. The amount rocker has been moved from the facet 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 same old energy button, dwelling button (which is now greyed out) and a microphone, which now has a generic icon, quite than the dots that signify Google Assistant. There are additionally shortcuts for Netflix and YouTube.
Options
In accordance 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 characteristic Ethernet and USB ports.
Meaning you will get a secure wired web connection (as with the Chromecast Extremely) and join different units with USB assist.
The field additionally allegedly has the next radio indicators:
- Bluetooth
- Wi-Fi 2.4GHz 802.11b/g/n
- Wi-Fi 5GHz 802.11a/n/ac
- Thread
The latter will permit you to join with different units which have Google Assistant to your dwelling ecosystem, with out the necessity for a hub. The Pixel 9 units 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 dimensions of the machine considerably, we’d anticipate these specs to be beefed up barely.
Software program
As this can be a Google machine, it can virtually actually run on the most recent model of Google TV OS. The most recent model contains AI suggestions for TV sequence and movies, Android 14 assist for TV and redesigned icons.
Based mostly on earlier units, 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 appropriate, sure. The Google TV Streamer will exchange the present Chromecast with Google TV. Nonetheless, many of those merchandise are sometimes nonetheless obtainable from third-party retailers for a short while after new generations are launched.
This clearly will not be excellent for anybody brief on house – if that’s you, then check out our chart of the perfect streaming sticks for extra alternate options.
