Streaming sticks and dongles have dominated the media industry for years, with tech companies touting the benefits of devices that can plug into the back of your TV – out of sight, out of mind.
However, leaked images and specs suggest that Google is taking a different approach, returning to the traditional set-top box style of devices that aren’t as common as they once were.
First reported by 9to5Google, this new set-top box will reportedly feature new port support and other features not currently available on Google’s current Chromecast device.
But is this decoder legit? And if so, when will it launch? We’ve answered all your burning questions below.
When could the Google TV Streamer be released?
The shared leaks do not specify a release date for the Google TV Streamer. However, the next “Made by Google” event will take place on August 13and it is expected to reveal the new Pixel 9 series and other hardware like the upcoming watch, foldable phone, etc.
Therefore, there is East It’s possible that Google will also reveal the TV Streamer here. That would make sense, given that rumors of the product have only just started to surface and it’s been four years since the last model.
However, the project may still be in the early stages of development. We will know more when the event begins.
How much will the Google TV Streamer cost?
No pricing has been announced in the Google TV Streamer leaks. However, we can check out the launch prices of the brand’s previous media devices for reference:
- Chromecast 1st generation (2013) – £30/$35
- Chromecast 2nd Gen (2015) – £30/$35
- Chromecast 3rd Gen (2018) – £30/$35
- Chromecast Ultra – £69/$70
- Chromecast with Google TV – £59/$49
If the Google TV Streamer has more features than the Chromecast with Google TV, then we’d expect the price to be closer to that and the cost of the Ultra (between £59/$49 and £69/$70) – especially since the current Google TV model is down to almost half the price at the time of writing.
What are the specifications and construction of the Google TV Streamer?
Design
The leaked Google TV Streamer is a set-top box shaped like a tilted pill. The image shown only features a white color, although previous Chromecast devices have been available in several shades. There are two wires protruding from the back of the image, which we assume are for power and HDMI.
Its flat shape should allow it to fit under most TVs that have space underneath, or on a piece of furniture your TV sits on. So it won’t be completely invisible, but that doesn’t seem to be a problem for Google.
The images also show a longer remote, rather than the circular one seen on previous models. The volume rocker has been moved from the side to the front, with an additional magic/star shortcut button that can be customised to be assigned to a specific service.
You’ll also get the usual power button, the home button (which is now greyed out), and a microphone, which now has a generic icon, rather than the dots that signify Google Assistant. There are also shortcuts for Netflix and YouTube.
Features
According to a new report from 9to5Google (based on data from Quanta Computer, the maker of the Pixelbook, Pixel Slate, and Pixelbook Go), the Google TV Streamer will feature Ethernet and USB ports.
This means you can get a stable wired internet connection (like with the Chromecast Ultra) and connect other devices with USB support.
The box would also contain the following radio signals:
- Bluetooth
- Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g/n
- Wi-Fi 5 GHz 802.11a/n/ac
- Thread
The latter will allow you to connect to other Google Assistant-powered devices for your home ecosystem, without the need for a hub. Pixel 9 devices are also said to feature Thread radio.
Other spec rumors haven’t surfaced yet, so we don’t know what streaming quality it will support, what processor it will run on, or how much RAM/storage will be included. For reference, the current Chromecast with Google TV runs on an Amlogic S905X3 processor and has 2GB of RAM and 8GB of storage.
Given that Google is significantly changing the size of the device, we expect these specs to be bumped up slightly.
Software
Since this is a Google device, it will almost certainly run on the latest version of the Google TV operating system. The latest version includes AI recommendations for TV shows and movies, Android 14 support for TV, and redesigned icons.
Based on previous devices, the interface is clean and syncs with other Google accounts, and a wide range of streaming and entertainment apps are supported.
Is Google going to abandon Chromecast?
If 9to5Google’s claims are correct, yes. The Google TV Streamer will replace the current Chromecast with Google TV. However, many of these products are usually still available from third-party retailers for a while after the new generations are released.
This is obviously not ideal for those who are short on space. If that’s you, take a look at our table of the best streaming sticks for more alternatives.
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