Google’s next streaming player looks nothing like Chromecast

Google is apparently about to ditch the HDMI dongle design from all of its previous streaming devices in favor of a more conventional set-top box. 9to5Google published images of the upcoming product, which is apparently called the “Google TV Streamer”. So it’s not just the to look of previous Chromecasts are gone, but so is the name.

The new device has a sloping top and the overall design is in line with other recent Google hardware. As for the included remote, it’s very similar to the one that came with the last-gen Chromecast, although this one is longer and has a volume control right on the front.

The Google TV Streamer will likely launch at the company’s August 13 hardware event alongside a number of other products, including the Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 9, Pixel Watch 3, Pixel Watch 3 XL and probably some other surprises.

I’m hoping Google builds a more powerful streaming player that could be a formidable competitor to the Apple TV 4K. The Chromecast with Google TV, launched in 2020, never got there and left the Nvidia Shield as the best alternative in terms of performance. In a few weeks, we’ll all have a better sense of whether the Google TV Streamer ups the ante or keeps the specs in check to hit Google’s usual sub-$100 price point.