It’s not often you see the likes of Google mentioned on HomeKit News, but with Matter and Thread slowly taking a foothold, this is inevitably going to change. Case in point, their forthcoming TV Streaming box, which on the surface offers much the same functionality as their chrome cast range of devices, but includes more for your smart home.
The new Google TV Streamer, as it’s known, offers to tons of TV series, films etc just like all the other providers, and includes YouTube TV, Apple TV+, Disney and so on. It also claims that 800+ free channels will also be available, although that will surely depend on your region of course. Where this device initially differentiates itself is with the use of Google AI along with preferences you would initially set up, to provide content suggestions and upcoming shows/films that fit your tastes. All of these will be curated into a watchlist for you to easily access. In addition, Google’s Gemini technology can also provide additional info on watch you are watching or about to watch, with summaries, season-by-season breakdowns, actors involved in a particular program of film, and more.
The Google TV Streamer offers an improved processor, double the memory and 32GB of storage for faster app load times, and smoother navigation than previous generation Chromecast. With 4K HDR, Dolby Vision. and Dolby Atmos, the image and sound quality are also taking a step up. You can connect your Google TV Streamer to a Wi-Fi network (2.4 or 5.0GHz), or use an ethernet port for faster streaming, with snappier navigation and app loading or switching. The Streamer is designed to sit in front of your TV, rather than tucked behind it, to improve connectivity across your smart home devices.
This is where Matter and Thread come into play along with your smart home. Much like Apple’s own Apple TV, the Google version is more involved with smart home devices, like cameras, locks, sensors, Thermostats, and lights, for example, which can all be accessed from your TV screen via the Google Home Panel, which is a big leap forward from the existing chrome cast offerings.
It takes on the role of a Matter controller, which is something already available with a few Google Nest devices, meaning your Matter enabled devices can be added to Google Home (maybe not so enticing perhaps…) even if they use Matter over Thread, as the Streamer also contains a fully-fledged Thread Border Router.
The included remote has also seen an upgrade in both size and functionality, with more buttons, improved voice remote, an even a programmable button, allowing you to trigger a specific scene, automation, or device. The remote also comes with a ‘lost mode’ option, that allows the remote to beep to aid in finding it, either via any device with Google voice assistant built in, or via a button on the back of the streamer itself.
The Google TV Streamer will be offered in two different colours – Porcelain, and Hazel, and is available for preorder now in the USA, with a launch date of September 24th via the Google Store, or third-party retailers.
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