With the first Chromecast, Google revolutionized the use that many made of their television by giving them a certain intelligence and numerous options both to all those silly and not so silly TVs. However, it is now when the new Chromecast with Google TV shows that this is how the device should have been from the beginning.
This is the new Chromecast
Since the rumor of a new Chromecast jumped, we have followed its development very closely. Because on this occasion the company seemed to be willing to face a major change in concept and it has been.
The new generation changes drastically with what we have known until now. And we are not referring to the design issue, but to its functionalities since now it finally includes its own remote control . The latter is important, because it already gives indications that this is a device that is freed from dependence on the smartphone.Now you can continue sending content through the chromecast protocol, but as an extra and not something necessary to use it.
However, let’s talk about the physical section first. This is the new Chromecast with Google TV, a device that partly resembles the Ultra model with that pill-like shape and with a small one that protrudes and where the HDMI connector is that will be connected to your television, monitor or projector.
At the other end of said tablet there is a small USB C connector for its power. That cable that you connect to supply power must in turn be connected to a USB port on the TV or a power adapter like the ones you use to charge your phone.
Anyway, if physically the new Chromecast attracts, what is most striking is its remote control. It is the first with remote control and thanks to it you will be able to perform actions such as turning on the device and in turn the television thanks to the HDMI CEC support , also adjust the volume, navigate through the interface of the new operating system and even launch the voice assistant of the company or quickly and directly access two services that by default are configured in two quick access buttons : YOuTube and Netflix.
With all this, I think it is clear that we are facing the most attractive Chromecast of all that the company has launched, which should have been from that first generation.
| features | Chromecast with Google TV |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 162 x 61 x 12.5 mm |
| Weight | 55 gr |
| Resolution | Up to 4K with support for HDR images and 60fps |
| Video formats | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10 + |
| Audio formats | Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos |
| Connectivity | WiFi ac (2.4 and 5 Ghz), Bluetooth |
| Connections | HDMI to connect to TV plus USB C connection for power |
| Operating system | Android TV |
| Remote control | Control powered by 2 AAA batteries. Support Bluetooth game controllers |
| Price | 69.99 euros |
Google TV, the new operating system
In addition to the remote control, you will already know that the other great novelty of the new Chromecast is in its newly released operating system. Or almost, because even though it is called Google TV, it is still Android TV . What differentiates it is that the company launches a new interface, but the base remains the same.
Google TV improves the user experience through certain changes in the icons and the way of displaying the content that the unification seeks. That is, it focuses on content and not services. Still, you will always know if a movie or series, for example, is on Netflix, Disney + or any other streaming platform. If you want to look for similarities, it is very similar to what is seen on Apple‘s tvOS, but with those details of Google and Android TV. So it will be very familiar to you and most importantly easy to use.
Of course, an interface and the possibility of installing applications available in the Play Store with support for Android TV is not the only important thing about the new system. There is also the possibility of controlling connected devices that you have configured at home or the Google Assistant itself. With the latter, you can use voice commands to get personalized recommendations or suggestions about what content to watch, jump from one application to another, directly open and play a series, etc.
In general, what Google TV offers is a complete and totally independent experience from any other device . It continues to have support for Chromecast, so you can send content from an iOS device or any Android phone as well as other equipment compatible with the protocol, but if you do not have any of that there will be no impediments for you to use all its options freely.
The future of Chromecast: Stadia and xCloud
If you liked everything you have read, pay attention to the following. One of the great values of the new Chromecast with Google TV is that you can have the cheapest game console on the market or almost. Because in the middle of next year Google Stadia support will arrive.
Thanks to this, you will be able to access the entire catalog of games that the company offers through streaming. And that for casual players or those who bet on this game mode is really interesting. Although it will not be the only service, because we have already seen that xCloud can also be run on the new Chromecast even without official support for now.
So, with the Chromecast with Google TV you are not only acquiring a device to enjoy series, movies and other audiovisual content such as music and podcasts. Nor is it a device with which you can only manage home automation or use the voice assistant to make inquiries. The new device is much more and one of its options that will have the most weight in the immediate future will be access to these streaming game services.
Chromecast with Google TV and its competition
Finally, how is the new Chromecast with Google TV compared to its direct competition? Well, let’s see, because manufacturers like Xiaomi or Amazon itself have launched new HDMI sticks that are also very interesting.
Both the Xiaomi Mi TV Stick and the Fire TV Stick are based on Android TV. There may be differences, such as that the Fire TV uses Alexa instead of Google Assistant, but the basis of all of them is the same. So the same services and apps could arrive. Or not, because you also have to take into account the hardware of each one and there, for example, both the Xiaomi option and some of Amazon are at a disadvantage.
The Xiaomi Mi TV Stick and the Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Stick Lite only play content at a maximum resolution of 1080p , so in theory their hardware is slightly lower. It is possible that at some point the support for these gaming services will arrive via streaming, but still the performance is not the same.
So, taking into account the prices of each and every one of these sticks, the truth is that the Google model has positioned itself quite well. For 69.99 euros there are few options a priori more interesting than this to accompany your television, whether or not it is intelligent. It is a product that arrives at an ideal time and that is surely going to sell really well.
