Newsletter
On August 6, 2024, Google introduced its newest TV streaming device, simply named “Google TV Streamer”. With this announcement, Google is effectively ending the Chromecast lineup and will only sell what units are still in stock. This is an entirely new streaming device from Google, and a much more powerful one, compared to the previous Chromecast with Google TV – which was also a mouthful of a name.
What is the Google TV Streamer?
The Google TV Streamer is a new streaming device from Google that runs Google TV – hence the name. It’s a larger streaming media box when compared to its predecessors, which allows for much more powerful specs inside. While it looks nothing like the Chromecast with Google TV, now does it even have a similar name, it is a direct successor to it. The Google TV Streamer boasts new connectivity options, a new remote, and the latest version of Google TV on-board.
As far as the design goes, it’s pretty reminiscent of the speaker dock for the Pixel Tablet. It’s a pill-shaped device that sits on a table, and comes in either Porcelain or Hazel. However, the Hazel is only available in the US through the Google Store.
Google TV Streamer is a smart home hub, much like Pixel Tablet
It should come as no surprise that Google is making this streaming device more like a smart home hub – a la Pixel Tablet. While Google TV already served as a pretty decent smart home hub, this new device builds on that. You can see your live feeds from cameras, like the Nest Video Doorbell, you can also see a new panel that slides in from the right side that looks a lot like the Google Home app on your smartphone or tablet. This allows you to adjust lights, turn up the AC, and do much more.
Users will be able to customize what controls appear in that panel, by opening the Google Home app on your phone, and modifying your “favorites”. This also means that your favorites will be synced across devices, including your TV.
Finally, when it comes to smart home things, Google has also added support for Thread and Matter. Matter is becoming a pretty big deal and something you want to see in all smart home products, as it allows everything to be interoperable, from Alexa, to Nest doorbells and even Homekit.
Google revamps the remote, brings “Find my Remote” support
When it comes to the remote, Google has also revamped that product, making it more flat, versus the Chromecast with Google TV, which had a rounded back. The idea with the Chromecast is that it would be harder to lose, but that didn’t really happen. So now we have a more flat design here, which also as a textured back, making it feel more ergonomic in the hand.
The buttons have remained mostly the same. With the D-Pad up top, the back and home buttons below that, along with a microphone button, and volume controls. There are also buttons for YouTube and Netflix, as well as a power button. There is a new button to the right of the power button, which has a star icon. This is a customizable button that can be used to open apps, display device inputs, or even launch the Google Home panel. The volume rocker has also been moved from the side of the remote (this was done to mimic the volume rocker on the phone) to the top of the remote. So it looks like there are more buttons, but it’s really the same amount, just in a more logical layout. It actually looks very similar to the Apple TV remote setup now.
Finally, the new remote does also include a speaker. This is used for the Find My Remote feature. It will set off a loud beeping sound for 30 seconds if you ask the Google Assistant to “find my remote”, or press the dedicated button on the back of the Google TV Streamer. Surprisingly, Google also says that the new remote is compatible with the Chromecast with Google TV (4K) and the Chromecast with Google TV (HD).
Google AI on Google TV
As you might expect, Google is still embracing AI, even on the new Google TV Streamer. Google is using Gemini on Google TV now, making it easier to find what you want to watch. Gemini will provide you with full summaries, reviews, and even season-by-season breakdowns of content.
Generative AI is also here on Google TV Streamer, which is being used for Ambient mode. It will allow you to use your voice to create a custom screensaver.
Finally, AI is being used to curate content suggestions across your streaming subscriptions in conjunction with your preferences. Google TV already did a pretty good job curating content, but thanks to Google’s AI models, it should be taken up a notch now.
Google TV Streamer Specs
Here are the specs of the Google TV Streamer. It’s worth noting that the two biggest upgrades here, compared to Chromecast with Google TV, is the RAM and storage. The RAM has been doubled to 4GB, and storage has been quadrupled to 32GB.
| Google TV Streamer | |
| Dimensions & Weight | 161.6 x 75.6 x 26.7mm 160.7g |
| Memory (RAM) | 4GB |
| Storage | 32GB |
| Ports | USB-C, HDMI 2.1, Ethernet |
| Operating System | Android TV OS (Android 14 based) |
| Smart Home Connectivity | Matter, Thread border router |
| Video Format | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG |
| Audio Format | Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos |
| Connectivity | WiFi 802.11 ac, Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Price | $99 |
| Availability | September 24 |
How much is the Google TV Streamer?
The Google TV Streamer is available to purchase now. Google is charging $99 for the Google TV Streamer, which is double the price of the Chromecast with Google TV (4K). But with all of these upgrades, it is definitely worth it. Google is also selling it in Porcelain and Hazel, with the Hazel color exclusive to the Google Store.
It’s worth noting that Google is not immediately replacing Chromecast with Google TV (4K), which launched back in 2020. But it will eventually be replaced by the new Google TV Streamer. Basically, the old Chromecast models will be on sale as long as they are still in stock. Once stock runs out, Chromecast is done.
You can pre-order your Google TV Streamer now from the Google Store.
What happens to Chromecast now?
Pour one out for Chromecast.
As expected, Google is killing off Chromecast. Which means it’s time for another entry into the Google Graveyard. The Chromecast first launched 11 years ago, in 2013, alongside the Nexus 7 2nd Gen tablet (off-topic, but that was an incredible tablet for the time). During those 11 years, Google sold over 100 million units of various Chromecast models. Chromecast was simple. It was a way for you to “cast” apps and content to your TV, and it didn’t even require a remote since your phone, tablet, or PC was the remote. However, that wasn’t perfect, and eventually, Google added a remote with the Chromecast with Google TV when it debuted in 2020. Now, it seems Google is looking to simplify its TV offerings. Instead of having Chromecast, Android TV, and Google TV, it looks like Google wants to stick with Google TV.
Chromecast isn’t quite dead yet, you can still buy older Chromecast devices from retailers. However, that will only last as long as the current stock lasts. So if you still want to grab a Chromecast with Google TV, you won’t have much longer to do so.
Google says that it will “continue to support all existing Chromecast devices with ongoing updates”. But, as usual, Google did not say how long that would be. So you’re buying Chromecast devices at your own risk.