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Google has unveiled its latest streaming device and it’s a bit different than the company’s previous offerings. Dubbed the Google TV Streamer, this new media player drops the Chromecast branding used on older models. It also swaps out the Chromecast’s dongle design in favor of a sleek set-top box style that’s meant to rest on your entertainment console.
Based on specs, the Google TV Streamer has all the features we look for in a flagship streaming device, including 4K HDR support, Dolby Atmos decoding, and a handy voice remote. It also promises faster performance than its predecessor, the Chromecast with Google TV, and it’s built with smart home integration in mind.
We’re aiming to get hands-on with the Google TV Streamer soon, but until then, we’ve broken down everything we know so far, including pricing and key features.
Google TV Streamer (4K)
The Google TV Streamer is the brand’s latest flagship streaming device with 4K support, a set-top box design, and an improved processor. Preorders are available now and it launches on September 24.
How to buy the Google TV Streamer
The Google TV Streamer is now available to preorder for $100 from Amazon, , and the Google Store. Preorders are expected to ship by September 24, when the device will officially launch at retailers. Buyers can choose between porcelain and hazel color options, but the latter is exclusive to the Google Store.
The Google TV Streamer could challenge the Apple TV 4K and Roku Ultra
The Google TV Streamer is clearly designed to compete with the best streaming devices from Apple and Roku. And on paper, it looks like it has the specs to put up a good fight.
Previous Google streaming devices, which used the Chromecast branding, had a dongle design that hung from your TV’s HDMI port. But the Google TV Streamer is a slim set-top box that’s meant to rest on your entertainment console and then plug into your TV with a separate HDMI cable. It also has an Ethernet port in addition to WiFi support, so you can use a wired connection if you have issues with your wireless setup.
The Google TV Streamer supports 4K playback with HDR, including Dolby Vision and HDR10+ compatibility. It also has built-in support for decoding Dolby Atmos audio. This puts it on par with the video and audio capabilities of the Apple TV 4K and Roku Ultra.
Amazon
Under the hood, the Google TV Streamer has 32GB of built-in storage, which is solid but less than the 64GB you get with the cheapest Apple TV 4K. Though it remains to be seen how navigation speed stacks up against the competition, Google says this new model has a faster processor than its previous streaming devices, with a 22% increase in performance. That’s good to hear since occasional lag was one of our only issues with the last Chromecast model.
Of course, the device uses the Google TV operating system (OS). Though we prefer Roku’s interface, Google TV is a solid OS and the company is now using AI to curate recommendations and provide content summaries and reviews.
There’s also a new ambient mode that can display screensavers, similar to a feature offered on some Amazon Fire TV devices. Smart home integration is included via support for the Matter protocol, an integrated Thread border router, and an on-screen Google Home panel to check your cameras and other devices right on your TV.
And last but certainly not least, Google has taken a lesson from Roku and carried over one of our favorite features found on that brand’s devices: a lost remote chime. If you lose the Google TV Streamer’s voice remote, you can press a button on the device or use the mobile app to set off a handy chime.
Should you preorder the Google TV Streamer?
Amazon
We can’t fully recommend the Google TV Streamer until we’re able to get hands-on with it. However, its specifications point to a promising performer that could be the flagship streaming device Google fans have been waiting for. At $100, it’s priced lower than the Apple TV 4K and matches the cost of the Roku Ultra while offering a similar set of features.
Likewise, it looks like its speed boost could provide a solid upgrade option for existing Chromecast owners who like the Google TV interface but crave a snappier experience. We’re looking forward to testing the device, so stay tuned for our detailed impressions.