Google TV Streamer Announced as Chromecast Replacement and Rival to Apple TV 4K

[tipoo]

For 100 dollars it's getting to where I wish they put even the first gen Tensor in there or something, would be so vastly better than these Mediatek joints with single core gb5 scores under 200. It's the MediaTek MT8696, same as the one used in the 2021 Amazon Firestick 4K Max. Forget the Apple TV, the 9 year old chip in the first Shield TV is still blazingly faster than all of these sticks and this.

Hopefully the odd form factor at least makes the thermals much better, because throttling is also an issue with many of the HDMI hang off dongles. Had a Fire Stick in the family that was getting very slow through factory resets and removing anything unnecessary, but a thermal pad mod I did on it brought it back to nearly day one performance.

This is an Apple TV competitor like the Moto G is an iPhone 15 Pro competitor. You can go far below it, it's not a bad phone for most users, but it's still not really close.

 

[bozzykid]

So how long before Google kills off the API used for Chromecast? My bet is within four months, and encouraging all users to switch to the Google TV platform.

Chromecast is built into Google TV so that makes no sense. Thousands of apps utilize it today. It isn't going anywhere.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

The "Google TV Streamer". They are really good at product names, eh?

Like AppleTV, AppleTV (app) and AppleTV+ (service)?..

...leading to countless threads where people perceive if their smart TV has the AppleTV app, they have everything an AppleTV (box) can do.

They all can come up with clunker names. And the worst of names can become good names if there's enough marketing. See Hulu, Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, Sonos, Dropbox, Spotify, Xfinity, Spectrum and on and on.

 

[Anglagard]

It needs USB-C port to add storage.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

Roku’s UI is still basic compared to the rest, I agree. It’s still “app first” instead of “content first.”

That said, the ads on Roku have gotten worse and worse over the past few years. They’re really seeing how far they can push it.

I stopped using Roku because the performance is just bad, frankly. There’s too much jank in the apps. And they don’t have Twitch which I sometimes watch.

Hey, how do you make Chromecast/Google TV show only the apps?

I have turned off everything except just to show the apps. The only time I see anything is when I move over to the apps there's just a Roku free trial recommendation offer. That's all I see and I can live with that.

 

[sunapple]

My TV has built in streaming apps, Chromecast and AirPlay. The only reason I got an Apple TV was AirPods pairing with Dolby Atmos. And the remote is nice. Otherwise, I would not even have thought of buying a dedicated streaming device.

 

[sw1tcher]

This is the correct move. These things don't need large local storage. They do need fast, reliable connectivity. I hope Apple corrects this mistake. The few people who are using it to play Apple Arcade games can buy the more expensive version with more storage. Give everyone Ethernet as standard.

If ethernet became standard on Apple TV, Apple will have to raise the price by at least $20 because Apple.

 

[JeffPerrin]

Aside from the improved UI (of course!), where Apple TV really shines is when you need to skip, fast forward, or scan high resolution or multi-angle content. The underpowered Chromecast and Roku sticks will often choke, sputter and freeze.

After much testing, I found I had to add a special setting in my iOS app to accommodate Roku units, since they cannot reliably manage 4K 60fps HEVC video operations.

 

[2761216]

To quote DJ Khaled, “Another one”.

 

[CarAnalogy]

If ethernet became standard on Apple TV, Apple will have to raise the price by at least $20 because Apple.

It seems they’d rather ditch it completely and just make higher margins on the storage.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Yeah. Let’s hope Apple doesn’t cave like everyone else has. Even Roku’s ads have gotten worse. Nobody can resist the allure of some extra cash.

They always had that giant Home Screen ad which I guess was ok, but now like everyone else they just keep adding stuff nobody asked for that’s on by default and you have to go find a hidden menu to turn it off, if it’s even possible.

So many words have become dirty euphemisms. “Suggested” “recommended” even “update.”

They tried to make “legacy” a bad word but it’s gotten a positive connotation despite the smear campaigns. It means the thing that they leave alone that works fine and does what I want.

Too bad these things by definition have to be connected to the internet.

 

[spinedoc77]

All of these streamers stink IMO, I ended up just putting a Surface Pro behind each of my TVs, it's a ton more freedom. Much faster CPU, storage space, networked, and just the ability to have things like servers and separate accounts as just the tip of the iceberg. But I get how these devices can be good for those less technically inclined.

 

[bluraycinema]

Will it offer the same video/audio out options though, that Apple TV does?

 

[mrr]

Safari really needs to run on the Apple TV.

 

[mthomas184]

It only has Wi-Fi 5 and the SoC, the MediaTek MT8696 is awful. It's a quad-core A53 (or maybe A55). It's only 22% faster than the very slow CCwGTV. It's the same SoC as Amazon used in the 2021 version of the Amazon Fire TV Stick Max. That was a 55 USD device back in 2021.

Horrible device for the price.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Roku’s UI is still basic compared to the rest, I agree. It’s still “app first” instead of “content first.”

That said, the ads on Roku have gotten worse and worse over the past few years. They’re really seeing how far they can push it.

I stopped using Roku because the performance is just bad, frankly. There’s too much jank in the apps. And they don’t have Twitch which I sometimes watch.

Hey, how do you make Chromecast/Google TV show only the apps?

I like the Roku UI the best. Running a network adblocker so I never see the ads; just see a blank rectangle.

Have an Apple TV, too, but it's currently it's just a HomeKit hub and not even hooked up to a TV.

 

[bozzykid]

It needs USB-C port to add storage.

You can use a hub to add storage just like the current Chromecast.

 

[mlrproducts]

what if i told you that all streaming services have been using AI to recommend you things for many years now? "yeah i pick what i want" but if you have ever even slightly been interested by something recommended to you by netflix, apple tv, etc then you can thank AI.

I get what you're saying though...AI is the new buzzword and all the hype. It's silly but AI does exist and has been working away for a long time.

Algorithms and machine learning does not AI make.

 

[now i see it]

Well with over 700,000 things to watch with this device, even I will say that having an Artificial Intelligence back end to consolidate and organize all that is welcome

 

[v0lume4]

I have turned off everything except just to show the apps. The only time I see anything is when I move over to the apps there's just a Roku free trial recommendation offer. That's all I see and I can live with that.

That sounds great. I’m gonna have to do that to mine.

 

[Remy149]

Both Apple and Google want you subscribe to any and all streaming services through them - not just via their device. No thanks.

All the makers of streaming devices want you to do that. However it’s still optional and not mandatory. Your complaint makes no sense

 

[Remy149]

Problem with boxes like these is you end up double paying because there are no "dumb" TVs anymore.

You aren’t double paying most os in smart TVs are awful and only get about 2 years of updates. TVs are less expensive now because they are smart. Are you willing to pay twice as much for a dumb tv?

 

[cfountain72]

Google has announced the Google TV Streamer, a new device that replaces the Chromecast and directly rivals the Apple TV 4K.

The discontinuation of the Chromecast marks the end of an era for Google's original streaming dongle, which has been a staple in the market since its launch in 2013. Over 100 million Chromecast devices were sold during its 11-year run. The Google TV Streamer is positioned as a high-end replacement for the Chromecast, promising to deliver a next-generation, AI-powered streaming experience while also functioning as a central hub for smart home devices.

The Google TV Streamer provides access to over 700,000 movies and shows through popular streaming apps like YouTube TV, Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV, as well as live TV with over 800 free channels. One of the standout features is the AI-powered content recommendation system, which uses Google's Gemini technology to curate personalized watchlists and provide detailed summaries, reviews, and season-by-season breakdowns of content.

The Google TV Streamer features a faster processor, double the memory, and 32GB of storage. It supports 4K HDR with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.

The Google TV Streamer is available in two colors: Porcelain and Hazel, with the latter being exclusive to the U.S. Google Store. The device is intended to sit in front of the TV, rather than behind it, to improve connectivity with smart home devices. The Google TV Streamer supports Matter and includes a built-in Thread border router, which enhances the connectivity and response times of smart home devices like locks and motion sensors.

The redesigned voice remote features improved ergonomics with a textured back for better grip and an optimized button layout. It includes a customizable button that can be programmed to open a favorite app, switch inputs, or launch the Google Home panel. The remote also has a built-in "find my remote" feature, allowing users to locate it by voice command or by pressing a button on the back of the device.

The Google TV Streamer is positioned to rival high-end streaming devices such as the Apple TV 4K. While the Apple TV 4K offers similar features like 4K HDR and Dolby Vision support, the Google TV Streamer is priced more competitively at $99.99 compared to the Apple TV 4K's starting price of $129. The Google TV Streamer includes Ethernet connectivity as standard, but it lacks the additional storage options that the Apple TV 4K provides, with Apple offering both 64GB and 128GB models.

The Google TV Streamer is now available for pre-order, with shipping set to begin on September 24, 2024.

Article Link: Google TV Streamer Announced as Chromecast Replacement and Rival to Apple TV 4K

"The remote also has a built-in "find my remote" feature, allowing users to locate it by voice command or by pressing a button on the back of the device." I hoped for this years ago for Apple TV, but it never happened. Guess Google thought it was a good idea.

 

[Remy149]

It seems they’d rather ditch it completely and just make higher margins on the storage.

The Apple TV has got cheaper not more expensive though

 

[fhall1]

If it won't offer a way to stream video files off the NAS on my local LAN - it's no good to me. And I don't mean having to create and run another server like Plex to do it. Right now I use the Infuse app on my Apple TV to connect to my NAS and present the files to my TV. Simple and works great.