The new Google TV Streamer is a major shake-up of the tech giant's TV streaming hardware. It replaces the Chromecast series and takes on boxes like Apple TV 4K with a mix of Gemini-powered AI smarts and integration with other Google services like Google Photos and Google Home.
While dongles like the Chromecast with Google TV 4K, which launched way back in September 2020, were designed to be cheap and largely invisible, the Google TV Streamer takes a different route. At $99 / £99 / AU$159, it's still relatively affordable, but costs twice as much as a Chromecast.
For that price bump, though, you're getting a much more powerful streaming box than a Chromecast dongle, with a better processor, twice as much memory and, finally, 32GB of storage for an overall smoother experience.
But what other streaming powers does the Google TV Streamer bring and when can you buy one? Here's everything you need to know about Google's surprise reboot of its TV streaming hardware in one handy place...
Google TV Streamer: cut to the chase
- What is it? A new TV and media streaming box from Google
- When will it launch? You'll be able to buy it from September 24
- What does it cost? $99 / £99 / AU$159
Google TV Streamer: release date and pricing
- Announced on August 6 and available for pre-order now
- Shipping starts from September 24
- Costs $99 / £99 / AU$159
The Google TV Streamer was announced on August 6 when it became available to pre-order, but it won't be shipping immediately. Google says that the TV Streamer will be available from the Google Store and retailers from September 24, so let's hope there aren't any delays.
The Google TV Streamer costs $99 / £99 / AU$159. Unlike Apple TV 4K, there are no alternative storage options. That's a significant hike from the latest Chromecast with Google TV, which landed for $49 / £59 / AU$99 when it launched back in 2020.
Google also says that the TV Streamer "replaces Chromecast", with both models of that dongle (the Chromecast with Google TV 4K and the Chromecast with Google TV HD) being "available at select retailers while supplies last". Google says that it "will continue to support all existing Chromecast devices with ongoing updates".
While the TV Streamer is pricier than a Chromecast, it is also cheaper than some rivals like the Apple TV 4K. The latter costs $129 / £149 / AU$219 (for the base model with 64GB storage), so Google is pitching its new streamer as a middle ground between streaming dongles and higher-end boxes.
Google TV Streamer: specs and features
- Support for 4K HDR (HDR10+, HLG Dolby Vision) and Dolby Atmos
- 32GB of onboard storage and 4GB memory
- Powered by Android TV OS and comes with redesigned remote control
The Google TV Streamer is effectively a beefed-up Chromecast with some new Gemini-powered AI tricks and deeper integration with most of Google's services. If you use of a lot of Google apps, it could well be the best streaming device for you.
On the TV front, the TV Streamer supports all the usual apps (like Netflix, Disney Plus and Apple TV Plus) alongside an ever-growing list of free channels that Google says now stands at over 800 channels.
You certainly won't be short of things to watch, then – in fact, your problem will more likely be finding the show you're looking for. To that end, Google has baked some Google Gemini smarts into the box, which promises to give you show summaries, reviews and season breakdowns.
Dimensions: 161.6mm x 75.6mm x 26.7mm (L X W X H)
Weight: 160.7g
Resolution: Up to 4K HDR, 60 FPS. Supports resolutions up to 4K and high dynamic range (HDR)
Video formats: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
Ports: HDMI 2.1, Ethernet, USB Type-C power
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11ac (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz), Bluetooth 5.1
Dimensions (remote): 137 mm x 38mm x 16mm (L X W X H)
Weight (remote): 40g
Connectivity (remote): Bluetooth IR to control TV, soundbar or receiver
Power (remote): 2 x AAA batteries included
While we haven't tried the TV Streamer yet, it should be a smoother and more responsive experience than Google's Chromecast dongles. It has a more powerful processor (that's apparently 22% speedier than Chromecasts), twice as much memory and 32GB of storage on board, which should all boost app load times and navigation.
Like the Chromecast with Google TV 4K, the Google TV Streamer can deliver 4K HDR with Dolby Vision and also supports Dolby Atmos sound. Unfortunately, there's no Wi-Fi 6 or 7 onboard, so if wireless speeds are a little sluggish there's an Ethernet port on the back (which supports up to 1000Mbps speeds), alongside HDMI 2.1 and USB-C ports.
Google's new streaming box also comes with a slightly designed remote control. This has a customizable button, which you can either map to your favorite app, your most used input or the home panel for controlling smart home tech. This remote is apparently also now more comfortable to hold and, when it inevitably gets lost, you can make it ring by talking to it.
Beyond TV, Google is clearly pitching the TV Streamer as a do-everything 'Google box'. That means you get support for Matter plus a built-in Thread border router, which means it should be the ideal hub for your Google Home tech (either now, or in the future).
The TV Streamer has a Google Home panel, which (in theory) means that you can quickly tweak your lights or check security cameras (like those made by Google Nest, of course) from the box's home screen. Like a Chromecast, you can obviously also cast media to it from your Android phone.
Google also wants the TV Streamer to be a kind of Google Photos hub, letting you use its remote control's voice controls to bring up vacation memories. There's also an 'ambient mode' that lets you choose a work of art to act as your 'screensaver' or, inevitably, make one using generative AI.
Own a pair of Pixel Buds Pro earphones? You'll also be able to pair those to the TV Streamer box to enjoy spatial audio, while your family or roommates sleep. We wouldn't be a big rush to buy a new pair, though, as the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are expected to launch very soon at Google's event on Tuesday, August 13, alongside the Google Pixel 9 series, Pixel 9 Pro Fold (or the Google Pixel Fold 2), and a Google Pixel Watch 3.
Google TV Streamer: what does this mean for Chromecasts?
It wouldn't be a Google launch without some reference to the Google Graveyard, and this time it's the Chromecast's turn to head to the famous burial grounds.
Google has stated that the TV Streamer "replaces Chromecast", which means the end is nigh for the current incarnations of that streaming dongle – the Chromecast with Google TV 4K and the Chromecast with Google TV HD.
If you fancy buying one of those cheaper streaming devices, you might need to hurry – Google says that they'll be "available at select retailers while supplies last".
Existing owners shouldn't have to worry about longevity, because Google promises it "will continue to support all existing Chromecast devices with ongoing updates". Although how long that will continue for isn't yet clear.
