The next generation of streaming gadgets is on the way, with Apple widely expected to announce a new Apple TV 4K device later this week and Google reportedly developing an updated Google TV Streamer.
While Apple is expected to announce its new streaming box at a special event on October 13, Google’s newest device is still under works and is not expected to launch any time soon.
A report in 9to5Google claims that the second-generation Google TV Streamer will have a similar aesthetic to the original model, but have a slightly slimmer body so that it takes up less room, wherever the user decides to place it. In addition, the device will have an integrated microphone, complete with cutouts, so that it can listen for those “Hey Google” voice commands that automatically activate it to receive voice controls.
Another new feature Google is working on is a presence sensor that will be able to detect when someone is approaching the TV. This will allow it to adjust the Google Photos screensaver based on the user, and also show the time and the water. It’s not an entirely new capability, as we’ve already seen this on some more advanced televisions that run the Google TV operating system.
Under the hood, the new Google TV Streamer will be getting some better hardware, including a faster processor and more onboard storage. The current Google TV Streamer is powered by a now-aging MediaTek MT8696 chipset and has 32 gigabytes of storage, so expect something faster with more memory than before.
Don’t expect much difference in terms of the remote control. According to 9to5Google, this will have a very similar design – like the box itself – with the only noticeable difference being that it has two new shortcut buttons, in addition to the ones for Netflix and YouTube. However, the report didn’t say which services those shortcut buttons will be for, or if perhaps, they might be customisable.
The first-generation Google TV Streamer isn’t a bad streaming device by any means, but it is relatively pricey nowadays – thanks to the surging price of RAM memory chips – and it’s generally considered to be a tad inferior to the current Apple TV 4K, lacking the same kind of visual dynamism and less capable acoustics.
Whether or not the new Google TV Streamer will be more of a match for the latest Apple TV 4K remains to be seen, for all we have now is some rumours courtesy of Bloomberg’s tech blogger Mark Gurman, who is known for having very good sources inside the Cupertino-based company. According to Gurman, Apple will finally unveil the new device this week, and it’s expected to launch on October 30. It will have a new processor in the A91 Pro and feature 8 GB of RAM, which should ensure it’s exceptionally fast. There will also be some new features, such as integrated microphones for Siri AI voice controls, and an updated Siri remote with its own speaker built-in.
Gurman also said Apple is preparing a new HomePod Mini device that will be announced at the same event. It will come with the S10 chipset that’s already found on the Apple Watch Series 10, improving on the current model’s S5 chip. Users will be able to choose from five colours: green, blue, white, pink and midnight black.
Finally, Gurman said Apple is going to launch an entirely new kind of device in the Apple HomeView, which is meant to act like a smart home hub. It will come in either tabletop or wall-mounted form factors, have a touchscreen, support for Siri voice controls and be powered by the A18 chip.
