In April, we revealed that Google is working on a sequel to the 2020 Chromecast with Google TV (4K). 9a5Google We can now report that this upcoming device will be the “Google TV Streamer.”
Google is ditching the compact form factor of a device that plugs into your TV and stays out of sight.
As seen in the images shared with 9a5GoogleGoogle is aiming for a desktop or set-top box design that has a pill-shaped, slanted surface. It’s fairly wide compared to other streaming set-top boxes, and it’s not clear if it serves any purpose. For example, this would be great for Tap to Cast with Ultra Wideband technology that was announced for the Pixel tablet earlier this year.
Add to that a pill-shaped stand, and the whole thing vaguely resembles a miniature Pixel tablet speaker-charging dock. Two cables (presumably power and HDMI) stick out from the back. Overall, it should have a minimal (height) presence under your TV.
Meanwhile, the remote looks similar, but is longer. After the D-Pad, you have the home and back buttons in the first row. The voice input key no longer has Google Assistant branding, but instead a generic microphone, in a sign of the times. It has a raised bump, as the splash of color is used for the home key.
The volume rocker has been moved to the front of the remote instead of the right edge, while there’s now a mute button as well. Shortcuts for YouTube and Netflix, as well as the power button and a “magic”/star shortcut complete the set.
With this drastically different design, we also get a new name. The “Google TV Streamer” keeps the “Google TV” branding, but ditches “Chromecast,” in a surprising twist for the traditional name. Whether the company will continue to sell the Chromecast with Google TV (HD) remains to be seen, though it will follow the lead of “Google Cast,” which replaced the “Chromecast built-in” branding earlier this year.
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