- Remote is better than ever
- Noticeably faster performance
- User-friendly setup and navigation
- Can't be stashed away
- No HDMI cable included
- The resultant death of Chromecast
For the last four years, I’ve been singing the praises of the Chromecast with Google TV: the sub-$100 dongle that’s changed the way I watch TV. So when Google announced it was putting my favourite budget gadget out to pasture in favour of a new, more premium set-top box-style streaming device, I had some concerns.
Would it be expensive? Would it make my TV unit look cluttered? Fortunately, the Google TV Streamer has allayed all my fears and then some. It’s the Chromecast with Google TV, only bigger, better, and faster.
Tangerine's "Speedy NBN" plan is our pick for the best NBN 100 plan for March.
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Tangerine Telecom
Speedy NBN
$65.90/mth
Min. cost $65.90
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Google goes premium
Chromecast has always been a budget-minded device, with basic models never exceeding more than about $60. At an RRP of $159.99, the Google TV Streamer isn’t exactly what we’d call expensive, but now that older, cheaper models are being discontinued, the price of entry just soared.
That said, as you might expect for that extra $100, the Google TV Streamer represents a sizeable upgrade from its predecessor. It boasts 32GB of storage (up from 8GB), 4GB of RAM (up from just 2GB), an updated remote with a programmable button and Find My Remote, an Ethernet port, and significantly better smart home connectivity (which we’ll get into a bit later).
Gone is the pebble-esque design that sits neatly out of site behind your TV. The Google TV Streamer is a sleek, rounded wedge-shaped set-top box that goes in front of your telly. Unfortunately, you will need to bring your own HDMI cable as you (annoyingly) won’t find one in the box.
It’s a nice-looking device and doesn’t make my TV unit look as cluttered as I feared, but if you were hoping to stash it away, you may be out of luck. According to Android Authority, Google warns that placing the TV Streamer in a cabinet or mounting it behind the TV (for those with wall-mounted units) may result in poor WiFi connectivity, negatively impacting streaming performance and connections to smart home devices.
Potential placement issues aside, setting up the Google TV Streamer is a breeze. You’ll need the Google Home app to kick things off, but from then on, it’s a pretty hands-off experience. The most time-consuming step is simply downloading your streaming apps of choice and logging in.
There isn’t much new once you do get started, as the Google TV Streamer uses the same Android-based interface found on the Chromecast with Google TV. The only real difference is performance. Google claims it’s 22% faster, and I can attest that the improvement is immediately noticeable.
Like its predecessor, the remote that comes with the Google TV Streamer can essentially be used as a universal remote, meaning you can throw the one that came with your TV in storage and keep things nice and consolidated. The remote is almost identical to its previous iteration, albeit with a few new welcome changes, including the ability to locate a lost remote simply by pressing a button on the back of the main unit.
The volume buttons have been moved from their precarious position on the side of the remote to a more manageable location on the face. The circular D-pad remains, as do the back, home, mute, on/off, YouTube and Netflix buttons, but the Google Assistant button has been replaced with a simple voice control icon, and the input source switcher has been swapped out for a new programmable button. You can use that button to create a shortcut to your favourite app or Google TV home screen, or you can do what I did, which was turn it straight back into the input source switcher.
Here's a photo comparing the Chromecast remote (left) with the Google TV Streamer remote (right):
What’s the Matter?
Obviously the Google TV Streamer is good at being a streaming device. After 10 years, Google kind of has this thing down pat. But this new device isn’t just for binge-watchers. For those interested in taking the plunge into smart home tech, the Google TV streamer marks the first time Google’s flagship streaming device has also been a smart home hub and not just a smart accessory.
As a Thread border router and a Matter hub, the Google TV Streamer expands Google Home’s compatibility beyond just “Works with Google” devices and to any smart home device that supports Matter, bringing it closer in line with the latest generation Apple TV 4K, which retails for about $60 more.
Matter and Thread smart home devices are also faster and more reliable than those that run over Bluetooth or WiFi. You can’t use these without a border router, however, and the Google TV Streamer is a comparatively affordable way to fulfil that need. So even if you don’t have any smart home accessories right now, this device is future-proof and ready to take on whatever Matter-enabled sensors, cameras, lights and other devices you might throw at it later.
To learn more about Matter and Thread, head to our sister site SafeWise.
Google TV Streamer - Final Thoughts
Do I think Google made the right decision to axe the Chromecast altogether? No, I think there’s a place for both devices, and in eliminating a more budget-friendly option, Google will alienate a portion of the market. If you’re on a strict budget, I highly recommend grabbing a Chromecast with Google TV while you still can. Otherwise, if you’re happy to pay that little bit extra for the Google TV Streamer, you’ll be treated to the best streaming device (and smart home hub, for that matter) that the company has ever produced.
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#1
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Exetel
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Tangerine Telecom
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Buddy Telco
Editor's Pick
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TPG
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Kogan Internet
Silver Unlimited
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Min. cost $59.90
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iiNet
nbn50 Liimitless
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Dodo
nbn50 Unlimited Plan
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Superloop
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Telstra
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Link not supplied
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iPrimus
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