September 17, 2024, 7:57 am | Read time: 4 minutes
With Google TV Streamer, Google has announced a successor to its Chromecast. However, the TV streamer seems to be looking to compete with Apple TV more than it did with Chromecast. TECHBOOK took a closer look at the device.
The TV streamer announced by Google comes in the form of a flat white box. It is designed to facilitate both streaming and smart home functionalities. The box is connected via an HDMI cable, which is the first noticeable difference from its predecessor, the Google Chromecast. However, the manufacturer also wants to up the ante in terms of performance.
What can the device do as a streaming box?
Unlike previous Google offerings in this segment, the Google TV Streamer is not a dongle but a set-top box. The connection to the TV is established via an HDMI cable. As the name suggests, the device is primarily a streaming box.
According to Google, it offers Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HDR10 Plus, HLG and Dolby Digital, as well as Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby Atmos. It should also be capable of streaming in 4K HDR at 60 fps. The TV streamer is also equipped with 4 GB RAM and 32 GB flash memory. It also has a processor that, according to Google, offers 22 percent more performance than Chromecast. However, Google did not provide any further details about the chip.
However, there are already details on the connections of the Google TV Streamer:
- 1x 1-gigabit network connection (RJ45)
- 1x HDMI 2.1 (for the connection to the TV)
- 1x USB-C (for power supply)
This means that no additional devices can be connected to the Google TV Streamer. The box is also expected to support Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) with 2.4 and 5 GHz frequencies, as well as Bluetooth 5.1.
As with its predecessor, the box runs Google TV and is controlled via a remote control, although this is slightly longer in comparison. In addition to the popular voice control function, there is a YouTube button and a button for the Netflix app to launch both applications directly. There is also another button that users can assign individually. For instance, users can assign it to another TV app or the so-called Google Home Panel. This is already familiar from the Pixel tablet and enables quick access to various smart home settings.
Google TV Streamer can be used as a smart home hub
The Google TV Streamer also supports the Matter and Thread standards and can, therefore, be used for smart home control. To do this, you need to connect compatible devices to the box once via the Home Panel, which you can also access while streaming movies or series.
For example, according to Google, you can call up camera feeds to see who is at the door. Other smart home functions, such as dimming lights or setting the temperature, are also possible via the Google TV Streamer if the corresponding devices are linked.
New AI settings with Gemini
At the same time, Google has announced several AI-based functions for Google Home and Google Nest devices, which should also benefit the TV Streamer. Specifically, there is talk of functions “based on the multimodal Gemini models.” For example, Nest cameras will be able to recognize context even better in the future and thus better classify situations on your doorstep. In the future, Nest products will no longer just recognize that a dog is in the garden but also that it is digging a hole there. Such scenes will then be tagged accordingly in the Google Home app.
Gemini should also help users make better choices from the various automation options that Google Home offers. There is a new function called “Create for me.” You can use this to describe what functionality you want, and the AI converts the whole thing into an automated process. For example: “Lock all doors at bedtime.” If the user’s input is less specific, the AI makes suggestions that could be suitable.
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Price and availability of the Google TV Streamer
In addition to the functions mentioned above, the Google TV Streamer also offers smaller AI functions, such as a picture gallery in standby mode. In general, the AI should make it possible to create your own screensavers in the future. According to Google, Gemini can also soon be used to summarize the content of films and series, including user ratings. This may help when deciding which titles to watch next.
In Germany, the Google TV Streamer is available exclusively in white, an option Google refers to as “Porcelain.” The box costs 120 euros at launch and is available from the company’s own store as well as the usual electronics stores.