Four years after the debut of the Chromecast with Google TV, leaked images hint at a significant departure for Google’s next streaming device, dubbed the “Google TV Streamer.” Ditching the traditional dongle design, the Google TV Streamer appears to be a sleek, wedge-shaped device designed to sit prominently under your TV.
This new form factor, reminiscent of a miniature Pixel Tablet Charging Speaker Dock, contrasts with the minimalist design of competitors like the Apple TV 4K or Amazon Fire TV Cube. The leaked image also reveals two cables, likely for power and HDMI, protruding from the back of the device.
The accompanying remote has also received a makeover, sporting a longer design and a redesigned button layout. While the classic D-pad and shortcut buttons for YouTube and Netflix remain, the volume rocker has migrated to the front, and a new “Magic” button has been added, potentially offering customizable shortcuts. Notably, the Google Assistant branding on the voice input key has been replaced with a generic microphone icon.
While the leaked images don’t reveal specific functionalities, speculation is rife about potential upgrades. A major storage boost would be a welcome addition, addressing the Chromecast’s limited 8GB capacity. Additionally, the integration of Google Gemini, the company’s evolving AI assistant, could replace Google Assistant as the primary voice interface.
With Google’s upcoming hardware event on August 13th rapidly approaching, it’s possible that the Google TV Streamer will be officially unveiled alongside the highly anticipated Pixel 9 Pro. The leaked images offer an exciting glimpse into what’s in store, but only time will tell what new features and capabilities this next-generation streaming device will bring to the table.
