The Google TV Streamer 4K is Also a Matter Hub

Google’s long-awaited upgrade to the awkwardly named Chromecast with Google TV is the more straightforward Google TV Streamer 4K, a direct competitor to Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Roku. Released to some fanfare, the device is more akin to those devices, rather than being a compact dongle that hands from your TV’s HDMI port.

But most significantly, the Google TV Streamer 4K is also a Matter hub and Thread border router.

What Is the Google TV Streamer 4K?

A replacement for the soon-to-be retired Chromecast, the Google TV Streamer 4K is a set-top box combined with a Matter hub and Thread border router. What that means is that you can use it to watch TV and oversee your smart home devices at the same.

This device is available from Google, with an RRP of $99.99. It is compact, requires minimum set-up time, offers an easy way to begin the upgrade of your home into a Matter smart home.

The Thread of Matter in the Google TV Streamer 4K

Naturally, we’re most interested in the presence of the Matter smart home protocol that is making device interoperability around the home that bit more impressive.

Matter is integrated into the Google TV Streamer 4K, making it quite an intriguing option for smart home kit buyers. A standard smart home hub with Matter compatibility costs around the same as the Google TV Streamer 4K (if not a bit more). This device comes with built-in streaming 4K TV, which is obviously a clear advantage.

All this means that you can control smart lights, smart plugs, smart blinds, smart thermostats, and various other Matter-compatible devices from any TV that has the Google TV Streamer 4K attached. It will also support most other smart home gear you own, particularly from Google’s own range.

In addition, the Google TV Streamer 4K is a Thread border router, which gives it an advantage over, say, a SmartThings TV, as those displays currently only act as Matter hubs. As such, it enhances the reach of Thread-compatible devices around your home, such as sensors, energy meters, etc.

So, if you’re in the market for a new TV system with Matter compatibility, and aren’t convinced that your existing TV is ready for the bargain bin just yet, the Google TV streamer 4K might just be the answer.

And, of course, it is considerably cheaper than a new Matter-compatible 4K TV.

Google TV Streamer 4K Device Specification

What can you expect from the Google TV Streamer 4K? Well, it’s a reasonably compact device, measuring 6.4x3x1 inches, making it not much bigger than an iPhone 16 Plus or a Samsung Galaxy S24.

Available in Porcelain or Hazel (the latter is a Google Store exclusive), the streaming box also offers:

• Up to 4K, 60FPS, HDR 10+, Dolby Vision

• Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, and Dolby Atmos

• 4GB RAM

• 32GB storage

• Wi-Fi 802.11ac (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz)

• Bluetooth® 5.1

• Ethernet port (10/100/1000 Mbps)

• 1x USB-C port (power/data)

• 1x HDMI 2.1 port

• Constructed from at least 65% recycled plastic

The Google TV Streamer 4K ships with a USB power cable and adapter, remote, and 2x AAA batteries, but you will need to provide your own HDMI cable.

What Can You Do With the Google TV Streamer 4K?

As a Matter hub, the Google TV Streamer 4K can help provide a single, simplified interface for your smart home tech. If the devices are Matter-compatible, you should be able to control them via the hub. This means accessing the devices via the Google TV Streamer 4K in the Google Home app, or using the on-screen hub and using the remote.

You can do a few other things with this device. Naturally, you can watch all the usual streaming services via that provide an app for Google TV app, as well as play games, look at photos you've uploaded in Google Photos, and any other activity that is suitable. In addition, it has a remote finding feature, with a button on the back of the Google TV Streamer 4K initiating a beep in the remote control to help you find it.

The device also features a bespoke screensaver feature, which selects an image either from your collection, or from a description you provide.

The Matter element of this TV streaming box is just one part of its overall smartness.

You can order the Google TV Streamer 4K from Google now.

(Note that the cheaper Chromecast with Google TV (4K) is also available, but this does not have Matter or Thread support.)