Can we agree that “Google Chromecast with Google TV” was horrible branding? Nicely, that’s over now – meet the Google TV Streamer (4K). Higher? It’s much less repetitive, not less than. And it comes with {hardware} enhancements: sooner chipset, sooner networking, sensible dwelling connectivity too.
Google says that the Streamer has a 22% sooner 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 now not want the foolish Ethernet adapter if you wish to use wired LAN, there’s a port proper on the system. 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) information. Now that the system is bigger, we might 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 “discover my distant”. You may push a button behind 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 sort of 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 House hub. And it acts as a Thread border router too.
A brand new customizable button on the distant might be programmed to open whichever app you select (e.g. launching the Google House panel) or switching inputs. The sensible dwelling performance consists of checking Nest Doorbell cameras and controlling the brand new Nest Studying Thermostat.
Google House 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 on.). It additionally writes up issues like full summaries and opinions of films and exhibits or season-by-season breakdowns.
The Google TV Streamer (4K) is on pre-order beginning immediately, it prices $100. You will discover the Porcelain model on Amazon and Google’s on-line retailer, the Hazel colorway is unique to Google. Observe that this shall be a prolonged pre-order because the TV Streamer will solely ship on September 24.
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