Why I will not be making the leap from Chromecast to Google TV Streamer

The Google TV Streamer is Google’s newest foray into the streaming world, and it changed the outgoing Google Chromecast. As any person seeking to retire my Chromecast 4K, I considered making the apparent resolution of going for the Streamer, however there have been just a few various things that gave me pause.

Whereas the Google TV Streamer looks as if a superbly serviceable gadget, I would relatively not hop onto the primary iteration of one thing, even when it is constructing off the stable Google TV OS. What it largely comes right down to, for me not less than, is that Google’s new streamer does not do sufficient to make me need to go away the acquainted territory of the Apple TV 4K, my favourite streamer available on the market. My present plan is to choose up a more recent Apple TV 4K and put my getting older first-gen one the place my Chromecast at the moment is. From there, my Chromecast goes right into a field the place it will keep till I get a TV arrange in my basement.

It isn’t fully Google’s fault, however there are some issues I must see from the corporate earlier than I can absolutely contemplate choosing up one other streamer from it.

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Apple has higher worth to supply me

And Google floor to make up

Apple / Pocket-lint

Apple has been refining the Apple TV 4K since 2017, and the unique Apple TV dates again even additional than that. Over time, tvOS has matured into a really stable piece of software program, and it is nonetheless stunning me with new options such as 21:9 support.

That is not saying Google cannot get there or is not shut, however as any person who has been rocking a first-gen Apple TV 4K, I do not see the worth in going for Google’s new gadget. Value is a giant issue right here, and at $100, it is actually not that far off from the $130 Apple TV 4K that has just a few extra options.

It is powerful to make the leap to a wholly new platform when the worth is that shut, and it is even more durable when you may have subscriptions by means of Apple that you would need to cancel and swap over to Google. I perceive that it is one thing you need to sit again and take into consideration when you do not personal any streaming gadget, however that is not the case with me.

Pocket-lint’s evaluation of the Google TV Streamer paints it as underwhelming, however notes that it is an improve over a Chromecast. It is a feature-rich product that helps all the fashionable HDR codecs, the audio codecs, and streams in 4K. For most individuals, it does every part you’d need.

It’d get higher over time

Timing is every part

Google

Whereas I do not assume the Google Streamer has a spot in my residence at present, that does not imply it will not ever. Not like another Google merchandise that weren’t given the chance to mature, Google does not seem more likely to abandon the streamer. This implies issues that Apple is forward with, like 21:9 ultra-wide help because of a late 2024 replace, might be within the playing cards for Google.

Sadly for Google, that point shouldn’t be proper now. So long as Apple presents a aggressive value with Google, I do not see a cause to ditch the Apple TV 4K. This hole may widen much more if Apple decides to return out with a streaming stick to pair with the present Apple TV, however that is a dialogue for one more day. It took me some time, however I’ve come to understand the Apple interface, and I do not actually really feel like ditching it to be taught one thing another time.

The hope I’ve is that Google offers this gadget time to construct up an viewers, one thing that is not all the time the case with the corporate — Stadia being an example. Contemplating how Chromecast caught round for so long as it did, I’ve religion Google will preserve constructing on the muse of the Streamer.

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How the Google Streamer can win me over

Hope shouldn’t be misplaced

9to5Google / Pocket-lint

Earlier than I grabbed an Apple TV 4K, I had by no means owned a single Apple product, and I by no means actually thought-about getting one. What received me over was Dolby Atmos on Apple Music. I used to be in search of a service that might present what my encompass sound setup was able to, and it did simply that. To place it merely, I used to be received over by Apple because of options nothing else had.

There could come a time when Google has a characteristic that I am unable to miss, however that is not the case proper now. I am unable to consider a lot the Google Streamer does that the Apple TV 4K does not. I am not an individual with plenty of model loyalty, and I am going to go along with no matter one of the best product is.

The purpose is, there could be some type of characteristic added to the Streamer, one which I am unable to even consider in the intervening time, which may show to be a tipping level. That is additionally a scenario the place the lower cost may turn out to be useful. From the place I am sitting, there simply does not appear to be a giant cause for me to ditch Apple and go to Google, even when I am shopping for a second gadget.

Whereas it is not an enormous deal for me, the Apple TV 4K having extra storage than the Google TV Streamer is a giant promoting level for lots of people. Google may simply make up floor there with a future iteration, however it’s one other instance the place Apple comes forward.

I am not right here to yuck on anybody’s yum, and when you picked up the Google gadget that you simply’re pleased with, then there’s nothing to fret about. I am positive it is a completely nice little machine that does what you ask of it. The massive factor giving me pause is the pricing, and if Google may slash it down a bit extra, or add extra options to it, then I’d give it one other look.

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