In 2022, Google released the Google TV Streamer to replace the Chromecast with Google TV. This new device is powerful enough for gaming, has broad app support, and integrates well with smart home devices. However, some users find the interface to be too busy, the simpler OSD option disables search, and the cost is double that of most streaming sticks. Additionally, the Apple TV 4K is considered to be faster.
The Google TV Streamer is a rectangular box that supports Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and thousands of Android TV apps. It features Ethernet and HDMI ports, Bluetooth 5.1 support, and 4GB of memory with 32GB of storage. The device comes with a jelly-bean remote that can be programmed as a universal remote and offers two shortcuts for Netflix and YouTube.
The Google TV interface combines both app-centric and content-centric designs. While the device allows users to choose between apps only or content browsing, the apps-only mode is limited as it does not provide access to the Play Store and disables search functionality. The search capability of the Google TV Streamer works well for the most part but may not be available across all apps.
When testing app compatibility and speed, the Google TV Streamer showed near-instantaneous load times for frequently-used apps like Netflix and YouTube. However, the device had slower restart times compared to other streaming devices. Some apps may not be compatible with the Google TV Streamer, and it may not support certain cloud gaming apps.
Despite some limitations, the image quality of the Google TV Streamer is excellent, with minimal artifacts during streaming. Overall, the Google TV Streamer is a great option for those looking for a high-end streaming device with smart home integration. While it may have some room for improvement, it offers good value for its price and is suitable for users with Nest smart home devices.
