Leak: Google TV Streamer set to replace Chromecast

Google is apparently abandoning the dongle format in favor of a compact box with the upcoming launch of the 'Google TV Streamer,' set to replace the Chromecast with Google TV.

The successor to the 4K Chromecast with Google TV has been eagerly awaited, and now 9to5Google has obtained pictures of the upcoming streaming device, reportedly named Google TV Streamer.

Judging from the pictures, it will be a box rather than a dongle. It is not clear why Google is moving away from the dongle format, but a box design typically allows for more powerful hardware.


 Google TV Streamer. Photo: 9to5Google

New remote control
The remote control will be longer with more buttons compared to the current one. It can control the streaming device as well as power and volume on the TV.

The refreshed remote seemingly has volume buttons on the top instead of the side, which is a welcome change. It includes sponsored buttons for Netflix and YouTube, which is unfortunate, but also Google’s new 'Magic' button, which users can customize.


 The upgraded remote control for Google TV Streamer. Photo: 9to5Google

What we expect
Not many details have emerged, but we expect the new device to feature more powerful hardware and increased storage capacity. We also expect it to support the AV1 video format, which Google has made mandatory for new Google TV devices.

The current Chromecast with Google TV runs on Android 12. Google has skipped Android 13 for TV devices, so the Google TV Streamer could be the first TV device with Android 14 that introduces new features.

One of Google's new initiatives is Thread, the industry’s equivalent of WiFi for smart home control. If the Google TV Streamer includes a Thread chip, it could act as a home hub, possibly explaining the shift from a dongle form factor that sits behind the TV (where the signal is weak) to a separate device that sits under the TV (where the signal is stronger).

So far, there are no details as to when the Google TV Streamer will launch or how much it will cost.

- Source: 9to5Google