Google TV Streamer review | Your new HOME HUB!

9to5Google
23 Sept 202413:45

Summary

TLDRThe Google TV streamer offers a significant upgrade over the Chromecast with Google TV, featuring a more robust design, improved performance, and increased storage. It integrates well with smart home devices and provides a smoother user experience. The updated remote is a highlight, with a comfortable design and improved button placement. While not as powerful as the Nvidia Shield TV Pro, the Google TV streamer delivers a solid streaming experience at a more accessible price point.

Takeaways

  • 📺 The Google TV streamer is the follow-up to the Chromecast 4K and offers several design and performance upgrades.
  • 🤏 The device has a plasticky feel that feels cheaper than expected but sturdy, with a rubberized base to help it stay in place under your TV.
  • 🎨 It comes in two colors: porcelain (off-white) in the UK and hazel (gray-green) in the US, designed to blend better into home decor.
  • 🔌 The new streamer is harder to hide compared to the old Chromecast, likely due to its larger size and shape.
  • 🖥️ The biggest design changes include a new, larger remote with better ergonomics, such as a deeper groove for comfort.
  • 🎮 Performance has improved, with a smoother, more responsive interface, but it's not ideal for gaming and still uses Wi-Fi 5.
  • 🔧 It includes more ports, like HDMI 2.1, Ethernet, and USB-C for power, but does not come with an HDMI cable in the box.
  • ⚡ The device draws very little power and can be powered by a USB 2.0 port on some TVs, but this may vary depending on your TV model.
  • 📡 The Google TV software has gained AI-generated summaries for recommended content, offering helpful insights without spoilers.
  • 🖼️ New AI-generated art screen savers allow users to create custom prompts for display, though it may appeal more to families and children.

Q & A

  • What is the Google TV streamer?

    -The Google TV streamer is a follow-up device to the Chromecast 4K, designed to integrate more seamlessly into home decor and offer an improved streaming experience.

  • How does the Google TV streamer differ from the Chromecast in terms of design?

    -The Google TV streamer has a more muted color and a rounded wedge shape, making it look more like an ornament than a piece of technology, and it is harder to hide compared to the Chromecast.

  • What color options are available for the Google TV streamer?

    -The Google TV streamer is available in an off-white color in the UK and a gray with a slight hint of green, akin to the Pixel 9 series, in the US, which is limited to the Google Store.

  • What are the new features of the Google TV streamer's remote control?

    -The new remote control has a larger form factor with a dimple on the battery drawer for extra comfort, new button placements, and a dedicated button to help find the remote.

  • How does the Google TV streamer perform in terms of heat dissipation?

    -The Google TV streamer does not get overly warm or hot to the touch even after hours of streaming, indicating good thermal management.

  • What are the connectivity options on the Google TV streamer?

    -The Google TV streamer includes a dedicated HDMI 2.1 port, an Ethernet cable slot, a USB-C power and expansion port, and comes with a USB-A to USB-C cable and a USB-A power brick.

  • How much usable storage does the Google TV streamer offer?

    -The Google TV streamer comes with 23 GB of usable storage out of the box.

  • What AI features has Google TV integrated into the streamer?

    -Google TV on the streamer includes AI-generated summaries for recommended content, custom AI art screen savers, and faster Google Assistant responses.

  • How does the Google TV streamer compare to the Nvidia Shield TV Pro in terms of performance?

    -While the Google TV streamer offers a substantial upgrade in performance and storage, the Nvidia Shield TV Pro remains the top choice for Android TV boxes in terms of raw performance.

  • What is the price point of the Google TV streamer, and how does it compare to other streaming devices?

    -The Google TV streamer is priced at $99, offering improved codec support and a vastly improved Google TV experience, but there are cheaper alternatives available that may better suit some users.

  • What are the advantages of using the Google TV streamer over the Chromecast with Google TV?

    -The Google TV streamer offers improved performance, more storage, and a better integrated Google TV experience, making it a notable upgrade over the Chromecast with Google TV.

Outlines

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Mindmap

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Keywords

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Highlights

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Etiquetas Relacionadas
Google TVSmart HomeStreaming Device4K HardwareUser ExperienceMedia StreamingTech ReviewHome EntertainmentRemote ControlStorage Upgrade
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