Say Goodbye to the Chromecast

It’s the end of the era as we say farewell to the Chromecast. 9to5Google reported that the Google Chromecast we all know and love is being replaced by the new “Google TV Streamer,” vying for a spot under your TV.

The first and most important thing to note is that Google is ditching the Chromecast’s HDMI dongle in favor of a set-top box design. The images shared with 9to5Google look pretty cool, showing a sleek, elongated device with a relatively small base. While it looks great visually, I’m unsure if it’s for me yet.

I’m always pressed for space in my tiny, shared two-bedroom Manhattan apartment, so I opt for plug-and-play devices that don’t require table space. My current Chromecast dongle hangs behind my TV, but I’d have to carve some space for a dedicated set-top box on my TV console. Also, 9to5Google mentioned that it appears much more wider than other set-top boxes like the Roku.

The remote is getting a mini overhaul, too. The report mentions that it will be a little longer and sport the volume rocker on the face of the remote instead of on the side. The voice assistant button will no longer feature Google’s branding and will be replaced with a simple microphone icon. It will also provide a slight raised bump to assist with accessibility.

Android Police speculates that the Google TV Streamer will likely be revealed at the company’s upcoming hardware event on August 13. This is a pretty confident move on Google’s part, and I’m looking forward to seeing how it plays out.