All of the options I wish to see

The Chromecast with Google TV was a serious game-changer when it first arrived again in 2020. It represented the evolution of Chromecast from a easy casting system into a strong Android TV streamer with a brand new Google TV interface, a distant, and loads of different new options. 4 years later, the streamer nonetheless works fairly nicely however is unquestionably beginning to present its age.

Not too long ago, I had the chance to assessment the Onn 4K Professional. With rumors and leaks beginning to ramp up a few new streamer from Google, there are loads of options right here that I’m hoping to see within the subsequent Chromecast with Google TV to match Walmart’s funds field. With that in thoughts, right here’s what I’d prefer to see from the brand new Chromecast with Google TV HD and/or 4K when it lastly arrives.

The addition of hands-free voice management is among the finest options of the Onn 4K Professional, and it’s made utilizing my Chromecast with Google TV just a bit much less satisfying now that I do know what’s attainable. It’s extraordinarily useful to have voice instructions to shortly pause or unpause no matter you’re watching with out having to fumble for a distant. That is very true in my household, as I’ve three children, and it could actually get fairly hectic. Let’s simply say remotes go lacking rather a lot.

Past utilizing it to pause or unpause, you may as well rewind particular time intervals along with your voice, ask it to placed on particular platforms or perhaps a particular present on a platform, ask it fundamental questions, and a lot extra.

It appears fairly apparent that if the platform now helps hands-free mics like this, it’s solely a matter of time earlier than Google comes on board with its personal take. Though there’s solely a lot Google can do to construct on this idea, there’s one factor they might do: add a hands-free speaker into the distant too. You wouldn’t should push a button to set off it; you could possibly simply use the identical “Hey Google.” This might imply you wouldn’t should shout as loudly to get it to register instructions when the TV is on (because the distant can be nearer), one thing I’ve observed generally is a slight downside with the present speaker setup on the Onn.

A distant management finder

As I discussed, I’ve three children, and the distant usually goes lacking. (If I’m truly sincere, I additionally wander away with it and go away it in random rooms…) That was one of many issues I didn’t like in regards to the Chromecast with Google TV. I’ve used different streamers and DVRs previously that had “discover my distant” performance, however Google simply flat-out didn’t provide this function. Even worse, they made the distant small and slippery. It’s virtually like they need you to lose it and purchase one other (places on a tin foil hat).

This may appear foolish, but when the brand new Chromecast with Google TV ignores the distant management finder perform once more, I’m possible going to stay to the Onn 4K Professional. With the Onn, all it’s a must to do is ask Google to search out your distant, and it begins ringing instantly with a variety that’s ok to cowl the typical residence dimension with none difficulty. Fortunately, we’ve found some proof {that a} distant finder is prone to be extensively supported as a local function in future Google TV builds via Android 14 for TV.

It’s not simply the dearth of a distant finder that I discover annoying in regards to the present Chromecast distant. In my Onn 4K Professional assessment, I famous that the distant felt cheaper than the Chromecast with Google TV distant, regardless that it was extra purposeful. I stand by this. The plastic high quality and button presses positively really feel inferior. Nevertheless, that doesn’t imply I essentially desire the Chromecast’s distant. I’ve already talked about it’s small and slippery, however that’s not the one downside. The present Chromecast distant is extraordinarily minimalist, and whereas I can admire that, it’s virtually too sparse.

On the entrance, there’s the round navigation bar, a again button, a Google Assistant button, House, mute, YouTube, Netflix, Energy, and an enter swap. On the facet, you discover a quantity rocker. The Onn 4K Professional has a way more conventional-looking distant, although it’s nonetheless comparatively small and streamlined. It features a Energy button, 4 associate channel buttons, a Magic customizable button, a profile button, a settings button, a dwell TV button, quantity rockers, and even up/down channel change buttons.

I don’t need Google to essentially massively redesign the distant’s seems. I appreciated its rounded corners and clear aesthetics. I additionally like minimalism, however on the very least, a Profile button, Settings key, and a few Magic buttons can be fairly good. Actually, I’d like to see Magic buttons substitute associate buttons for companies like Netflix fully. That’s most likely not going to occur, however one can dream. If Google made its present YouTube and Netflix buttons into Magic keys and simply lengthened the distant a bit of, they might simply match a couple of extra keys and options with out essentially dropping what’s good in regards to the present distant.

I truly actually like the way in which the Chromecast with Google TV dongle seems proper now. It’s clear and minimalist, just like the distant, and it has some good enhancements over its predecessor, corresponding to a barely longer built-in HDMI wire. After all, it’s additionally designed to remain hidden behind the TV set. If Google provides voice-free mics into the physique, this must change.

I’m hoping the following design takes some cues from the Nest Audio and creates one thing that appears affordable and unassuming in a typical lounge. I’d additionally like built-in audio system that work even when the TV is off, successfully turning it right into a music participant as nicely. This might be a serious departure from the present design, which is principally an iterative model that traces its roots again to the primary Chromecasts.

Whereas we’re at it, I hope that Google provides us an HDMI port this time, with an included exterior HDMI wire. I dislike the built-in wire on the Chromecast, as HDMI cords are identified to interrupt on occasion. Proper now, if the HDMI wire will get damaged or broken, the Chromecast with Google TV turns into, at finest, a doorstop.

Contemplating the Chromecast has existed in a single kind or one other since 2013, it’s sure {that a} new Chromecast with Google TV will emerge sooner or later sooner or later. Though Google has but to make clear its plans, there have been various rumors and indicators suggesting that new {hardware} is imminent.

Whereas there have been early whispers in January that the Chromecast would get a brand new mannequin this yr, these rumors didn’t actually warmth up till March. An replace to the Google House app revealed a mysterious system codenamed YTD, which was referenced alongside YTC and YTB, the present 4K and HD fashions.

Shortly thereafter, a brand new report advised that the launch of the Chromecast with Google TV was imminent and would come with upgrades such because the Magic button. Many believed this indicated a Google IO reveal, however that by no means materialized. Fortunately, we’ve got seen the Magic button and lots of different modern options floor within the Onn 4K Professional, which means that these rumors are true, however Google is simply taking its time.

For now, we are able to’t say precisely whenever you’ll see the brand new Chromecast with Google TV, solely that it’s prone to come this yr. The subsequent mannequin will possible be an improve to the 4K {hardware} solely, although it’s attainable Google might launch each updates in the identical timeframe.

Wanting into the Chromecast’s historical past, all we are able to say is {that a} new 4K Chromecast may be very overdue.

• Chromecast (2nd gen) — September 29, 2015
• Chromecast (third gen) — October 10, 2018
• Chromecast with Google TV 4K (4th gen) — September 20, 2020

The Chromecast household has sometimes launched new generations each two to 3 years. Actually, the bigger hole between the 2nd and third era was as a result of introduction of the Chromecast Extremely as an interim system, much like the discharge of the Chromecast with Google TV HD in 2022.

If the Chromecast with Google TV does come out this yr, it is vitally attainable it should arrive in late summer season, primarily based on their conventional launch home windows, however once more, that’s actually only a guess at this stage.

The brand new Chromecast with Google TV has but to be formally talked about by Google, and whereas the rise in rumors makes a 2024 launch pretty possible, there are not any ensures. In the event you want a brand new streamer proper now, you would possibly contemplate selecting up the growing old Chromecast with Google TV ($35.55 at Amazon). Conversely, the Onn 4K Professional ($49.88 at Walmart) is a extra highly effective various if the thought of getting a Walmart retailer model doesn’t flip you off.