FEATURED
Google’s Latest Streamer Chromecast with Google TV is a Longer Name and a Complete Overhaul By Michael Heiss According to Leichtman Research Group, 70% of U.S. TV households already have a device with some type of streaming capability, be it a smart TV, a connected game of optical players, or, of course, an external streamer. Within that figure, Leichtman shows that about 54% of U.S. homes already have a separate external device for streaming. Why, then, all the new streaming product announcements this past fall? Clearly, one reason is that new products always ramp up the marketplace. Another reason, perhaps, is that as connected devices age, they often miss new services. Or, as has been the case more recently, some of the new streaming services are not available on all platforms. In that context, let’s take a look at the new Chromecast with Google TV available now for $49.99. Yes, the name has grown longer; it’s not simply just “Chromecast.” However, it’s more than just a different name; it’s a completely new product. Since its introduction in 2013, Chromecast has been sort of an oddball in this category. While all other competitive products have onscreen menus and remote controls, Chromecast took a different route. They have you use a phone, tablet, or PC to select compatible content and then “cast” it to the TV via the Chromecast device. The good news is that there is no remote to lose, and thanks to mirroring from most phones you can view almost anything on the screen. However, that’s also the bad news. Without a remote, you can’t adjust the volume or change selections without the phone. Particularly for those who are technology-averse, that is problematic. The new product changes all of that and more.
26
Residential Tech Today | Winter 2021
Chromecast with Google TV is more than an update, it’s virtually a completely new product.
The unit’s design is more oval-shaped than the previous versions. Black has been discontinued as a color choice, reportedly due to various environmental concerns. Instead, you have a choice of “Snow” (white), Sunrise (somewhat pink), or “Sky” (light blue). The remote is easy to hold and use, although the volume control buttons on the right side are a bit hard to use for
those of us with thick fingers. Color conformity even extends to the batteries, which are the same color as the unit. A seemingly small change is the use of a USB-C connector. Replacing the older USBmicro style that will make plugging in the power cable easier when you are working behind the
