In Summary
Google recently announced a new product lineup, the Google TV Streamer, which replaces the good old Chromecast. Following a multi-purpose format, the Google TV Streamer can stream content from various streaming services while acting as a smart hub to control other smart devices. Thanks to Gemini, the Google TV Streamer enjoys built-in AI features such as summarize, generative AI, personalized content suggestions, and more. Priced at $99.99, the Google TV Streamer will go on sale from 24 September, with pre-orders starting today.
With the Pixel 9 series just a week away from reality, Google announced a brand-new product — the Google TV Streamer in its latest blog post on 6th August. Launched in the AI era, Google has not played safe by making Google TV Streamer the first product in the lineup with built-in support for Google Gemini. There are a lot of exciting firsts and features on the Google TV Streamer, the seven best of which are listed below.
Table of Contents
Farewell, Chromecast!
You heard it right: Google bid adieu to the beloved Chromecast. Spanning over a decade of sales and upwards of a hundred million in numbers, Google announced that Chromecast will only be sold till supplies last. In return, Google TV Streamer integrates not just smart TVs but also smart home controls, making it a worthy successor to the mighty Chromecast. Not to mention the presence of on-board AI, which makes Google’s newest addition future-ready.
Two-in-One Treat
Google wasn’t kidding when it mentioned a dual approach to replace the existing Chromecast. Apart from the usual stuff like giving your existing TV the magic of Google TV, the Google TV Streamer integrates smart home controls to a whole new level. Furthermore, there is native support for Matter-enabled devices, which enhances interconnectivity between door locks and motion sensors.
To elaborate further, the TV Streamer can now show the view feed of your Nest doorbells and cameras, enabling you to check who’s at the door when the bell rings right from your couch. Adjusting the lighting intensity and temperature, drawing the curtains, and controlling other smart gadgets are a few more things up Google TV Streamer’s sleeves. It also integrates the controls of the newly-announced Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen).
AI-Based Content Personalization
Not to lie, deciding what to watch is one of the most challenging tasks to do, especially when you have a giant collection of movies and TV shows as soon as you turn on your TV. Thanks to Google AI, the Google TV Streamer can study your interests across all your subscriptions and learn from them to curate content personalized for you. You can enable personalized content suggestions for all your family members who have access to the TV.
Gemini Magic, Now on Google TV Streamer
If you thought that’s all the AI gaga is all about, you would be wrong. The spotlight feature of Gemini, summarize, is available on the Google TV Streamer, allowing you to view summaries, season-by-season rundowns, and online reviews of your favorite movies and shows in real time. Missing generative AI already? Thanks to the new screensaver additions, you can create and put up a custom image generated by Gemini as your TV’s screensaver.
Scintillating Specifications
Google hasn’t skimped on the performance aspect either, thanks to an undisclosed yet improved processor that works in tandem with 32GB of internal storage, double that of the previous Google Chromecast. Accompanying that, there is support for 4K HDR playback, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Audio to provide an immersive experience.
A Design Worth Envying
Google never misses out on an aesthetic design, and the Google TV Streamer is no different. It is as minimal as it gets, thanks to a flat design that hides incredibly well under a TV. The appreciable design includes an ethernet port alongside a USB Type-C port. The remote sees an upgraded texture to aid grip and now consists of a customizable button to launch an app, switch input, or access the Google Home Panel. The presence of a tiny speaker will surely help locate the remote if it gets lost.
Beginning of a New Era
Overlooking the success of Chromecast, it’s not difficult to predict that the Google TV Streamer will sell like hotcakes. This will be aided by its $99.99 price tag price, which is quite competitive. The device is currently up for pre-orders starting today. It will be available in Porcelain and Hazel colorways, the latter exclusive to the Google US Store. The Google TV Streamer will be up for grabs from 24 September.
