Google announced the new 'Chromecast with Google TV', a streaming dongle
similar to previous Chromecast devices but now with its own interface and
remote. The Chromecast with Google TV hardware has a design similar to the
previous Chromecast but just a bit more elongated. The HDMI cable plugs
directly into your TV or AV receiver and can be powered through the supplied
USB adapter using the new USB-C connector.
The internals have been updated to 2020
standards and the device is now capable of outputting 4K at 60Hz along with
Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and HDR10 support. On the audio side, it can process
Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus with Dolby Atmos pass-through. The device
also features dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi and an unspecified version of Bluetooth.
The new Chromecast with Google TV also
includes a remote. This slick new design has the navigation pad at the top,
volume buttons on the side and also shortcut buttons for Google Assistant,
YouTube, and Netflix. The remote has built-in accelerometer that could
potentially be used in games. The remote connects to the Chromecast over
Bluetooth and also has IR for TV, soundbars, and receivers.
On the software side, the new Chromecast
with Google TV runs on, well, the new Google TV. Google TV is the new software
layer that runs on top of the existing Android TV. Think of it as launcher that
integrates with the existing Android TV OS and applications.
The new Google TV UI looks a lot like the
Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV UI, with category tabs at the top and a tile-based
UI for recently watched content and navigating the installed apps. It will
categorize content from apps based on genre and suggest them based on your
watch history. There's also a new Watchlist feature, which integrates with your
Google account, and lets you add content to your watch list from any app or any
device.
Google TV is debuting with the new
Chromecast but will be available on television models from Sony and other
Android TV OS partners in 2021. Google will also be releasing the Google TV app
on Android smartphones and tablets. The app will be available as an update to
the existing Google Play Movies. So that's the Chromecast with Google TV. It's
available in the US starting today at US$ 50. It can also be pre-ordered today in
Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain and the U.K. and will
be available for purchase on October 15.
