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In the world of smart home devices, Google offers a wide range of products that can help simplify your daily routine. With everything from video doorbells that let you see and speak to visitors from your phone to smart speakers that create the perfect ambiance for any mood, there’s no shortage of must-have devices for tech enthusiasts to choose from.
Google’s latest offering is the new TV Streamer, which is an upgrade to the previous Chromecast streaming devices. I’ve used Google Home products for years, so will not be only reviewing the new device but also comparing it to previous models. Overall, the new device is a nice update with several new features that could be worth upgrading for.
What: Google TV Streamer Release date: Sept. 24, 2024 Cost: $129.99 Where to buy: Best Buy
The new Google TV Streamer requires a little more effort than the previous Google Chromecast I’d been using, which simply plugged right into my TV’s HDMI port. Unlike the previous iteration, the new model uses an HDMI cable – you’ll need to provide your own cable to connect it, as there isn’t one included. It also needs to be plugged into a wall outlet, so you’ll want to make sure that your TV is next to an outlet or you have an extension cord handy.
Once all of the cables are sorted, you’ll have to complete the setup process using the remote and the Google Home app. This step can take a few minutes as the Google TV Streamer may require a few updates in order to fully install. Once that’s done, connect to your home’s Wi-Fi and sign into your Google account to add your favourite streaming apps to your home screen.
Since my husband and I both have very different taste in entertainment, we each have our own profile and can customize it to our viewing preferences. We don’t have cable so I can’t speak to the features that work with live TV, but we do have several streaming services and this device makes it easy to see what’s new across platforms on one convenient home page.
Updated buttons: The biggest changes (and most useful in my opinion) are that the volume button has been moved from the side to the front of the remote, and the voice icon actually looks like a microphone rather than a bunch of random dots. There’s also a customizable shortcut button that can be programmed to launch your most-used streaming app or TV shortcut.
Find My Remote: My forgetful friends out there will appreciate this new setting. A handy button on the streamer lets you locate your remote with a chiming sound, so you’ll never have to wonder where the remote disappeared to. If you have Pixel Speakers, you can even locate it with your voice by saying “Hey Google, find my remote.”
Improved ergonomics: The previous Chromecast remotes were admittedly quite small. The new one is slightly larger, making it more comfortable to hold.
AI integration: Gemini, Google’s AI assistant is now incorporated into this TV streamer. Get AI-powered overviews of movies and shows while you’re browsing, or use Gemini to create custom screensaver art for your TV.
If you already have a few Google Home devices, the Google TV Streamer will be a welcome addition to your roster. It seamlessly connects all of your devices, turning your TV into a smart home hub as well as an entertainment unit. For example, I have a Google Nest Doorbell and was able to program the streamer to display doorbell notifications while watching TV when deliveries arrive. While it will still be a great upgrade to older TV streamers, those with Alexa devices may not benefit from the connectivity options as much as those already within the Google ecosystem.
The voice-activated remote is a nice accessibility feature that makes it easy to control your smart home devices, and ask Google for updates about the weather, sports scores and more. However, those who are used to a traditional TV remote may have a bit of a learning curve to get the hang of the simplified buttons.
Overall, I’d recommend this TV streamer to anyone who has several streaming subscriptions and is looking for a way to streamline your entertainment process – especially if you’re an existing Google smart home user. Just be sure to purchase an HDMI cable, as it’s the one piece of hardware that isn’t included with this streamer.
What: Google TV Streamer Release date: Sept. 24, 2024 Cost: $129.99 Where to buy: Best Buy
What’s included:
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