Google Launches TV Streamer, a Matter-Compatible Thread-Routing 4K TV Box

Google has announced a surprise revamp of its streaming media box, available to preorder today but shipping end of September.

The new Google TV Streamer, costing $99 / £99, replaces the Chromecast with Google TV. It aims to compete with Apple TV 4K with a selection of AI and smart home features. 

It costs twice as much as the Chromecast it replaces, but it’s still cheaper than an Apple TV 4K. It also comes with a powerful processor, twice as much memory, and 32GB of onboard storage, measuring L162 x W76 x H27mm. 

Hardware and Specifications

The Google TV Streamer will support 4K HDR at 60FPS with Dolby Vision, HDR10/10+, HLG, and Dolby Atmos sound. 

However, there's no Wi-Fi 6, which means streaming 4K HDR movies over the air might be tricky. To that end, there’s a Gigabit Ethernet port if you have the infrastructure for it, as well as HDMI 2.1 and USB-C (the latter for power, not accessories). 

The remote has also had a little upgrade, with a customizable button that can either open your favorite app (brilliant for us Plex users!), or the new home panel for controlling your smart home. And if you lose it, you’ll be able to ring it with your voice—"Hey Google, Find My Remote"—to see which sofa cushion it’s fallen behind. 

What's New?

Google Gemini AI

The integration of Gemini should offer show and season information, as well as reviews, crawling the web and summarising what it finds. It’ll also give you better search within your media and apps; the video demonstrates with “Find me a movie that feels like a vacation”. 

Matter, Thread, and Google Home

The Google TV Streamer will support Matter, which means it will act as a home hub and controller, similar to the Apple TV 4K. It’s also a fully featured Thread border router, allowing you to use any new Thread devices in your Matter smart home. 

The Google TV Streamer also includes a similar Home interface to the existing smartphone app or Nest Hub, offering quick access to your smart home devices and compatible security cameras.

Photos and Ambient Mode

Though not entirely new, Ambient mode has also been upgraded, with Gemini integration for generative AI and smarter access to your Google Photos library with your voice alone. 

Goodbye, Chromecast

The Google TV Streamer officially replaces the Chromecast line, so if you desperately want one, be sure to get one while supplies last. 

Hopefully, some of these software updates will make it into existing Google TV integrations, but I wouldn’t hold your breath. Still, this will bring Google's offering in line with Apple's and bring a much-needed Matter home hub for those who don't want a Nest Max or similar in their kitchen.