The Google TV Streamer is coming soon, and this time the company is moving to an angled set-top box design.
Google is apparently in the process of abandoning the HDMI dongle design of all its previous streaming devices in favor of a more conventional set-top box. 9to5Google has published images of the upcoming product, which appears to be called the “Google TV Streamer.” This means that not only the appearance of previous Chromecasts will disappear, but also the name.
The new device has a sloping top and the overall design is consistent with Google’s other current hardware. The included remote is largely similar to that of the last generation Chromecast, except that it is longer and has a volume control on the front.
The Google TV streamer is likely to be unveiled at the company’s hardware event on August 13, alongside a range of other products, including the Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 9, Pixel Watch 3, Pixel Watch 3 XL and presumably even more surprises.
I have been waiting for Google to develop a more powerful streaming player that can be a strong competitor to Apple TV 4K. Introduced in 2020, Chromecast with Google TV never quite materialized, making the Nvidia Shield the best option in terms of performance. In a few weeks, we’ll all have a better idea of whether the Google TV streamer raises the bar or keeps the specs in check to match Google’s usual sub-$100 price tag.