The competitors for management over your TV has heated up in recent times, as Amazon, Roku, and even Walmart provide quite a lot of choices. It has been 4 years since Google introduced a “flagship” streaming system, the Chromecast with Google TV (4K). Now, Google is attempting to work its approach again into the battle with the all-new Google TV Streamer.
Instead of the plug-and-play answer that the Chromecast and Fire TV Stick provide, Google opted for a totally totally different strategy. Part of this is because of Google making an attempt to enhance its picture whereas additionally attempting to supply a extra premium expertise for its clients.
Google TV Streamer: Price & availability
The Google TV Streamer was introduced and made out there for pre-order on August 6 alongside the Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen). It was subsequently launched on September 24, coming in both Hazel or Porcelain, and retails for $99.99. You can at present buy the TV Streamer from quite a lot of retailers, together with Best Buy, Target, and others, or immediately from Google.
| Category | Google TV Streamer |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Google TV/Android TV OS (Android 14) |
| Resolution | Up to 4K HDR @ 60fps |
| Video Formats | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG |
| Audio Formats | Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, and Dolby Atmos |
| Processor | MediaTek MT8696 |
| RAM | 4GB |
| Storage | 32GB |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Ports | USB-C (Power/Data), HDMI 2.1, Ethernet (10/100/1000 Mbps) |
| Smart Home Features | Matter, Thread Border Router |
| Voice Remote | Microphone, Bluetooth IR, Customizable Shortcut Button, Find My Remote |
| Colors | Hazel, Porcelain |
| Dimensions | 162.56 x 76.2 x 25.4mm |
| Weight | 161.59g |
Google TV Streamer: What you will like
No matter the way you have a look at it, the Google TV Streamer is a smooth and well-designed system. It sports activities the identical soft-touch end discovered on the Chromecast, which extends to the color-matched (and new) Voice Remote.
Since this is not only a dongle that hangs out of sight, it was essential to supply a smooth design that will not stick out like a sore thumb. I believe that Google nailed it right here, because the TV Streamer has regarded fairly darn nice in each my house workplace and on the TV stand in my front room.
I’m additionally a giant fan of the trio of ports discovered on the again. We have a Gigabit Ethernet jack, together with HDMI 2.1, and the USB-C port offers each information and energy, which is reasonably essential. There’s additionally a small button that can be utilized to seek out your distant, one other advantage of the TV Streamer. I’ve solely had to make use of this as soon as up to now, but it surely was good not needing to carry up my sofa in a frantic search after my son determined to place it in his bin of toys.
In normal, I do not actually have a lot to say in regards to the precise Google TV expertise from a streaming standpoint. Almost all of my streaming apps can be found, and with the upgraded 32GB of storage, I can sideload apps with out a lot fear.
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So far, my favourite characteristic of the TV Streamer has been the assorted sensible house implementations which have been made. The Home Panel has been a dream, letting me flip off lights in a room, lock the entrance door, or regulate the thermostat without having to rise up.
As such, I used to be excited to swap out my Ring Doorbell for the Nest Doorbell, solely to seek out out that one thing occurred to the Nest, making it unusable. Even nonetheless, I can even keep watch over my canine whereas she’s lounging on the porch courtesy of the Nest Cam mounted on the again nook of my home.
All of that’s nice, particularly for my spouse, however the TV Streamer brings two issues particularly which can be extra thrilling to me — Matter and Thread help. More particularly, the TV Streamer doubles as a Thread border router, so I need not fear about getting OEM-specific equipment once I need to improve my sensible house gear.
Technically, you’ll be able to add the TV Streamer to Apple HomePackage, however I do not advocate it.
A stunning discovery was that I might even add the TV Streamer to the Apple Home app. But it would not present up or function as a streaming system, as an alternative showing as a sequence of switches. So whereas we’re one step nearer to the dream, it is apparent that we aren’t there simply but.
Now onto a reasonably area of interest use case.
Something I reasonably get pleasure from doing with my streaming gadgets is making an attempt to show them into retro gaming containers. The straightforward half is getting RetroArch put in and arrange, however storage has virtually at all times been the Achilles heel. The 32GB of storage on the Google TV Streamer is loads for almost all of individuals, however I wished extra.
They say that the third time’s the allure, as that is what number of totally different USB-C hubs I needed to strive earlier than discovering one that may acknowledge my thumb drive. The Dockcase Smart USB-C Hub is unquestionably overkill for the state of affairs, however because it was the primary one which labored, it is the one I’ve caught with. Although I’ll in all probability attempt to discover a totally different one in order that I can put this again in my backpack.
After plugging the USB-A thumb drive into the Dockcase USB-C Hub and plugging that into the TV Streamer, the whole lot labored simply as you’d count on. The 64GB of additional storage was instantly acknowledged, so I fired up RetroArch and began messing round.
For probably the most half, this affords first rate efficiency, however there have been a couple of hiccups that I’ll cowl a bit later. Nevertheless, I can not recover from how a lot enjoyable it’s having the ability to hearth up RetroArch with my Stadia controller and play these traditional retro video games.
Google TV Streamer: What you will not
Here’s one thing I do not perceive — why is Google, or any firm for that matter, utilizing a processor that is greater than three years outdated? That’s precisely what we now have within the TV Streamer, because it’s powered by MediaTek’s MT8696. This simply so occurs to be the identical SoC present in Amazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K Max from 2021. The similar one which was changed by a sooner mannequin a few yr in the past.
To be clear, the one hiccups in efficiency that I’ve seen have been with attempting to fiddle with RetroArch and totally different emulators. However, there is not any approach that is going to have the ability to nonetheless be this snappy a couple of years down the highway. I actually would’ve favored to see Google cease this “glass half-full” strategy that we have seen in varied gadgets through the years.
Part of the explanation I do not actually have a lot to say in regards to the interface is that it isn’t all that nice. Sure, it offers me some fairly stable suggestions whereas placing my put in apps close to the highest. But that is about the place it begins to fall brief for me.
Despite having the app arrange and put in, the one choices proven inside the “Live” tab are for Google’s Freeplay service. That’s nice and all, however why cannot I entry the channels from the streaming service I would like?
It’s not like Google is not conscious of the opposite streaming companies on the market, so let me join and use the pay that I pay for. Maybe the onus is on the streaming service, and never Google, however I’ve a sense that is not the case contemplating there is not any settings panel that permits you to hook up with different reside TV companies.
Another potential subject feels extra like an oversight. You simply picked up the TV Streamer, and also you’re excited to get all of it arrange and the whole lot. You tear the field aside, go to plug the whole lot in, and notice that you simply’re lacking one thing—the HDMI cable.
That’s as a result of Google would not embrace one within the field however will promote you an “Ultra High-Speed” cable for an additional $20. Of course, this does not assist a lot now that you have already got the TV Streamer with no cable to attach it to your TV.
Google is making an attempt to semi-rectify the state of affairs by providing a $10 low cost code should you pre-ordered the TV Streamer. However, this solely applies to pre-ordered models, and the “deal” will expire on the finish of November. There’s a very good likelihood that you’ve an HDMI cable mendacity round, however the level is that it is one thing Google ought to have included within the field.
My final gripe has to do with sport streaming apps, and the way few of them are literally out there. Xbox Game Pass, PS Remote Play, and Amazon Luna are nowhere to be discovered. When attempting to obtain them from the Play Store web site on my PC, the Streamer is greyed out and says “This merchandise just isn’t appropriate together with your system.”
I’ve no earthly thought what’s taking place right here, however this is not it. Sure, GeForce Now and Steam Link present up, which is nice. But we must also be capable to use the others, and I want we knew why this is not the case.
Maybe Google is taking part in “maintain away” after Game Pass landed on the Fire TV earlier this yr. Whatever the explanation, it is time for these ways to cease as a result of, on the finish of the day, you are solely hurting the individuals who find yourself shopping for your merchandise.
Google TV Streamer: The competitors
The Apple TV 4K (third Gen) consists of double the storage (64GB vs. 32GB), a extra highly effective processor (A15 Bionic), and a very good streaming expertise for about $30 greater than the TV Streamer. However, the bottom mannequin lacks an Ethernet port, nor does it double as a Thread border router. If these options matter to you, then you definately’ll be taking a look at $149 for the Wi-Fi + Ethernet Apple TV.
More not too long ago, Roku launched its strongest streaming system but, with the Roku Ultra 2024. The firm claims it is “greater than 30% sooner than different Roku gamers,” together with upgrading to Wi-Fi 6 and HDMI 2.1. There’s sensible house connectivity too, nonetheless, it seems that the mixing is just out there should you make use of Roku’s rising lineup of sensible house gadgets.
Rounding out the pack is Amazon. Currently, you will not discover a Fire TV system on the similar worth because the TV Streamer, because the Fire TV Stick 4K Max retails for $60, whereas the Cube is available in at $140. It’s a stunning “gap” in Amazon’s lineup, so we surprise if Amazon may find yourself introducing one thing to go toe-to-toe with the TV Streamer sooner or later.
Google TV Streamer: Should you purchase it?
You can purchase this if…
- You need a high-end Google TV streaming field.
- You’re uninterested in the onslaught of adverts introduced by competing gadgets.
- You need a streaming system that doubles as a wise house hub, and extra.
You should not purchase this if…
- You need probably the most highly effective streaming system.
- You need to use this as a sport streaming field.
- You want an affordable streaming system.
- You need integration between third-party reside TV streaming companies and the Streamer.
When it comes as to if I might advocate the TV Streamer, I’m sort of caught between a rock and a tough place. For me, it is a no-brainer, because the adverts aren’t as annoying, I’m comfy with side-loading apps, and the Streamer options Matter and Thread help. These are a number of the issues that I care about, along with providing seamless integration into my Google-focused sensible house.
On the opposite hand, it isn’t as highly effective as I really feel it must be at this worth. It would not assist that the Streamer makes use of a much less performant SoC than the newest Fire TV Stick 4K Max, which prices $40 much less. Do I believe Google missed the mark with pricing? Not within the slightest, however I do suppose corners had been minimize for the sake of margins, and it is simply disappointing.
That being stated, I’ve actually loved utilizing the TV Streamer, and I’m already planning on choosing up one other one so I can cease shifting this one forwards and backwards between my house workplace and front room. I solely hope that with a bit extra RAM and storage wiggle room, Google can proceed to enhance the expertise.
Different, in a great way
It’s not with out its flaws, however the Google TV Streamer is a reasonably attention-grabbing piece of {hardware}, and one that ought to flourish rather more than the system its changing.
