Google is saying goodbye to its Chromecast device—first introduced over a decade ago as one of the company’s earliest consumer hardware products—and replacing it with a new streaming device that’s set to compete against other devices like the Amazon Fire Stick, the Roku, the Apple TV, and the Nvidia Shield, to name a few.
The tech giant announced today the Google TV Streamer, a $100, AI-powered gadget that will be released next month.
Unlike the previous design, this new device looks modern and minimalist. It is very thin (or “sleek and stylish,” in Google’s words) and comes in porcelain white or hazel green. But beyond the surface, this device packs a serious punch under the hood.
As expected, Google has integrated its Gemini AI into the device to provide extended content overviews and streamline summaries, reviews, and descriptions.
Google has supercharged the internals, promising faster load times and smoother performance compared to previous Chromecast models. The memory has been doubled to 4GB, while storage has quadrupled to a roomy 32GB. These upgrades aim to deliver snappier performance when navigating menus and loading apps—and it’s also a requirement for the device to support Google’s emblematic feature of 2024: AI.
Background photo created by Gemini on a Smart TV using the Google TV Streamer. Image: Google
The AI will also power new features for Nest cameras, which can work alongside the streamer as part of a seamless ecosystem, and offer more descriptive captions and annotations for video clips. Users will be able to search their camera history using natural language prompts, making it easier to find specific events.
Google Assistant is getting an AI-powered makeover too. The company promises a more fluid voice with better pacing and cadence, designed to offer a more natural conversational experience. This updated Assistant will be able to maintain context throughout conversations, allowing for more intuitive follow-up questions.
The Google set-top box will finally get an Ethernet port. This wired option should provide more stable streaming for those plagued by Wi-Fi woes and make the device even more compelling for those willing to migrate from similar devices that offer such functionality. The remote has been redesigned with a textured underside for better grip and the volume buttons moved to the face of the remote. Google included a programmable button for quick access to third-party apps.
The Google TV Streamer is positioning itself as a smart home hub, with support for Matter and Google Home-compatible devices. Users can access lighting, climate controls, and camera feeds directly from their TV screen without needing additional hardware.
The Google TV Streamer’s $100 price tag is double that of the current 4K Chromecast with Google TV and way more expensive than Amazon’s Firestick lineup, but half the price of the Nvidia Shield TV Pro, and neck and neck with the Apple Tv 4K. Pre-orders opened on Tuesday, with the device hitting stores on September 24. This launch marks the end of an era for Chromecast, a product line that has sold over 100 million units globally since its debut in 2013.
Google plans to continue selling existing Chromecast models in stores that already carry them, but only while supplies last. The company has ended production of these older devices—which will soon join the long list of things that are made by Google and were killed by Google.
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Source: https://decrypt.co/243368/google-axes-chromecast-unveils-ai-powered-streaming-powerhouse
