Google is officially saying goodbye to its Chromecast branding, introducing a new streaming device that boasts more power and a higher price tag. The tech giant announced the discontinuation of the Chromecast brand after 11 years of service in its blog, ushering in a new era with the Google TV Streamer. While not a direct replacement for Chromecast dongles, Google is replacing the $50 4K Chromecast with this $99 Google TV Streamer.
So what sets the Google TV Streamer apart from its Chromecast predecessor? Google has packed its new streaming device with all the features of the Chromecast, but with a significant upgrade. This new set-top box packs a punch, boasting a processor 22% faster than the previous generation, double the RAM at 4GB, and four times the storage at 32GB. The Google TV Streamer also supports 4K streaming at 60FPS and comes equipped with an HDMI 2.1a port. Furthermore, the device boasts HDR support (Dolby Vision), spatial audio (Dolby Atmos), and an Ethernet port. While the device offers impressive specs, Google has opted not to include an HDMI cable in the box with the Google TV Streamer.
Google has also integrated a suite of Google Gemini AI features, touting its ability to summarize or review TV episodes, or even entire seasons, based on simple user queries. Gemini will also recommend new content to watch based on viewing history and enable users to build personalized watchlists.
The Google TV Streamer is available for pre-order as of August 6th and will be available for $99.99 from the Google Store and third-party retailers on September 24th.
