Streaming sticks and dongles have dominated the media industry for years, with tech companies touting the benefits of devices that plug into the back of your television – out of sight, out of mind.
However, leaked images and specifications suggest that Google is taking a different tack and returning to the traditional set-top box style of devices that are no longer as common as they used to be.
First reported by 9to5Google, this new set-top box will reportedly include new port support and other elements not currently available on Google’s current Chromecast device.
But is this set-top box legit? And if so, when will it be launched? We have answered all your burning questions below.
When can the Google TV Streamer be released?
The leaks shared do not specify a release date for the Google TV Streamer. However, the next ‘Made by Google’ event will take place on August 13and the new Pixel 9 series and other hardware like the next watch, foldable phone, etc. are expected to be unveiled.
That’s why there is there is a chance that Google will also unveil the TV Streamer here. This would make sense considering the rumors about the product have only just scratched the surface and it’s been four years since the last model.
However, it may still be in the early stages of development – we’ll learn more when the event starts.
How much does the Google TV Streamer cost?
No pricing was announced in the Google TV Streamer leaks. However, we can look at the launch prices of the brand’s previous media devices for reference:
- Chromecast 1st Gen (2013) – £30/$35
- Chromecast 2nd Gen (2015) – £30/$35
- Chromecast 3rd Gen (2018) – £30/$35
- Chromecast Ultra – £69/$70
- Chromecast with Google TV – £59/$49
If the Google TV Streamer has more features than the Chromecast with Google TV, then we expect the price to be closer to this price and the cost of the Ultra (between £59/$49 and £69/$70) – especially considering the fact that the current Google TV model has dropped to almost half the price at the time of writing.
What are the specifications and construction of the Google TV Streamer?
Design
The leaked Google TV Streamer is a set-top box with a slanted pill shape. The image shown only shows a white color, although previous Chromecast devices came in different shades. There are two wires sticking out of the back of the image, which we assume are for power and HDMI.
The flat shape should mean it will fit under most TVs with a gap underneath, or in a piece of furniture that your TV is on. So it won’t be completely inconspicuous, but that doesn’t seem to be a problem for Google.
The images also show a longer remote control, instead of the round remote control seen on previous models. The volume rocker has been moved from the side to the front, with an additional magic/star hotkey that can be customized to be assigned to a specific service.
You also get the usual power button, home button (which is now gray), and a microphone, which now has a generic icon, instead of the dots that signify Google Assistant. There are also shortcuts for Netflix and YouTube.
Functions
According to a new report from 9to5Google (based on data from Quanta Computer, manufacturer of the Pixelbook, Pixel Slate, and Pixelbook Go), the Google TV Streamer will feature Ethernet and USB ports.
That means you can get a stable wired internet connection (like with the Chromecast Ultra) and connect other devices with USB support.
The box would also contain the following radio signals:
- Bluetooth
- Wi-Fi 2.4GHz 802.11b/g/n
- Wi-Fi 5GHz 802.11a/n/ac
- Wire
The latter allows you to connect other devices that have Google Assistant to your home ecosystem, without the need for a hub. The Pixel 9 devices are also rumored to come with Thread radio.
Other rumored specs haven’t surfaced yet, so we don’t know what streaming quality it will support, what processor it will run on, or how much RAM/storage will be included. For reference, the current Chromecast with Google TV runs on an Amlogic S905X3 CPU and has 2GB of RAM and 8GB of storage.
Since Google is significantly changing the size of the device, we expect these specs to improve somewhat.
Software
Since this is a Google device, it will almost certainly run the latest version of Google TV OS. The latest version includes AI recommendations for TV shows and movies, Android 14 support for TV, and redesigned icons.
Based on previous devices, the interface is clean and syncs with other Google accounts, and a wide range of streaming and entertainment apps are supported.
Is Google throwing away the Chromecast?
If 9to5Google’s claims are true, then yes. The Google TV Streamer will replace the current Chromecast with Google TV. However, many of these products are typically still available from third-party retailers for a while after new generations are released.
Obviously, this might not be ideal for anyone short on space – if that’s you, check out our chart of the best streaming sticks for more alternatives.