- Clear some space on your TV stand, because Google’s next Chromecast is going full set-top box.
- The “Google TV Streamer” would introduce a new, sloped look and enhanced remote.
- Pricing for this 4K streaming box remains an open question.
Instead of another dongle that hangs behind your TV from an HDMI port, 9to5Google hears from its sources that this device will be more of a traditional set-top box, called the “Google TV Streamer.”
That shallow, sloped design is nothing like we’re familiar with from past Chromecast products, and looks more like a wireless charging dock to our eyes than anything. 9to5Google speculates that it’s possible this could use the same proximity casting system we heard is on the way for the Pixel Tablet, but there doesn’t seem to be any specific evidence just yet.
What we can clearly see is an overhauled remote. The button layout matches what was featured in the last leak, moving the volume rocker to the front face. But now we can check out actual button labeling, which drops Assistant iconography for a simple microphone. And we should even get a customizable magic button — though maybe not the two magic buttons we were hoping for.
As we’d only expect, the box will support 4K output, but beyond that this leak is quite light on technical detail. We similarly have lots of questions about where this will fit into Google’s ecosystem. So far, the company has endeavored to offer at least one budget streaming solution — which is why we still have the HD Chromecast with Google TV, even with the 4K model available. Will this Google TV Streamer mark an end to that dichotomy? Could it be priced low enough that it’s not going to matter? That’s easily our biggest question, and one we’re eager to see answered.
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