If you are familiar with the cemetry where Google has a slab for every product its has killed, well there is a fresh grave. The company owned by Alphabet has killed off their popular plug-and-play Chromecast streaming device. Chromecast is an affordable dongle that you hook up to one of your TV’s HDMI sockets. Two versions were available, the original Chromecast and the newer Chromecast with Google TV (4K). In its place, the Alphabet-owned company has released a new AI-powered device called the Google TV streamer.
The Google TV Streamer is a standalone hardware device that will cost $99.99. It’s important to differentiate it from Google TV, the software platform; YouTube TV, the live TV streaming service; and Google Play, the digital content store.
Unlike its predecessor, the Chromecast, the Google TV Streamer is a larger device placed below the TV. Beyond streaming content, it serves as a smart home command center, integrating with Google Home and Matter devices. This repositioning aims to reinvigorate the Nest product line.
Google promises improved performance saying the Google TV Streamer delivers a superior streaming experience with a faster processor, double the memory, and 32GB of storage. Users will get 4K HDR visuals with Dolby Vision and immersive sound with Dolby Atmos.
The inclusion of a Google Home panel within the user interface facilitates remote control of Nest cameras and other smart home devices. To power these advanced features, the device leverages Google’s Gemini AI technology. Now, it’s easier to find content via voice and even your lost remote.
“While voice search makes it simple to find your favorite content, you can now find your lost remote via voice as well. Just ask your nearest Google Assistant-enabled speaker or Pixel phone for help by saying, “Hey Google, find my remote,” and the remote will beep. You can also press the button on the back of your Google TV Streamer or from the Google Home app to chime the remote, too.” wrote Google in a blog post.
