The latest addition to the streaming market, the Google TV Streamer, hits shelves at a premium price of $100. While it offers a slight performance edge over its competitors, such as Walmart’s Onn Google TV 4K Pro, priced at $50, the benefits may not justify the higher cost for all consumers. Despite its advanced capabilities as a Matter smart home controller with a built-in Thread border router, the device falls short in delivering a comprehensive streaming experience.
Performance and Specifications: Faster but Not Far Ahead
The Google TV Streamer boasts a quad-core Mediatek MT8696 processor and 4GB of RAM, surpassing other Google TV devices in speed and responsiveness. With 32GB of storage, it significantly outpaces older Chromecast models, ensuring shorter load times and smoother navigation.
- Processor: Quad-core Mediatek MT8696
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 32GB
- Connectivity: 1Gbps Ethernet, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1
These enhanced specifications contribute to a more seamless user experience, particularly when launching apps and navigating menus. However, the real-world differences compared to cheaper alternatives are noticeable but not groundbreaking.
Remote Control: A Step Forward or a Missed Opportunity?
The Google TV Streamer’s remote control introduces a few incremental improvements over previous models. It features a taller design with top-facing volume controls and a more logically placed home button beneath the directional pad. Additionally, the remote includes a programmable star button that can launch favorite apps or access the smart home control panel.
What’s New:
- Remote Finder Button: Helps locate the remote via a chime or Google Assistant query.
- Programmable Button: Customizable for quick access to preferred apps.
- Volume Controls: Enhanced placement for easier access.
Despite these enhancements, the remote lacks essential buttons like fast-forward, rewind, and play/pause, which are standard on competitors’ devices. The absence of a backlit feature and shortcuts for settings or live TV navigation limits its functionality, making it less user-friendly for some.
Software and User Experience: Strong Sorting, Limited Flexibility
Google TV’s software excels in organizing content, making it easy to sort through movies and TV shows. The Streamer’s interface is designed for efficiency, with features like the “Continue Watching” row that integrates seamlessly with multiple streaming services.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Continue Watching | Automatically tracks progress across apps |
| Home Screen | Personalized recommendations based on viewing habits |
| Live Channel Guide | Enables channel-surfing across free and live TV services |
However, the platform has notable limitations. Unlike Apple TV and Fire TV, Google TV lacks system-wide picture-in-picture support and a robust app switcher, which hampers multitasking capabilities. Additionally, certain apps like Amazon Prime Video have frame rate restrictions, reducing the overall viewing quality on the Streamer.
Smart Home Integration: Does It Deliver?
One of the primary value-adds of the Google TV Streamer is its role as a Matter smart home controller with a built-in Thread border router. This integration allows it to manage Matter-compatible devices over the local network, enhancing its appeal to smart home enthusiasts.
Smart Home Features:
- Remote Monitoring: Control smart devices directly from the TV interface.
- Predictive Maintenance: Automated alerts for device upkeep.
- Energy Efficiency: Optimize smart home operations for reduced power consumption.
While these features are impressive on paper, their practical application is limited. Most smart home devices do not yet rely on the Matter standard, and the additional functionality is not fully leveraged by the average user. Consequently, the Matter integration feels more like a marketing gimmick than a substantial enhancement.
