Alongside the new Pixel phones and Nest Audio, Google also announced a new streaming dongle ‘Chromecast with Google TV’. It looks similar to previous Chromecast devices but not has its own interface and remote.
Chromecast with Google TV has an HDMI cable that needs to be plugged directly into your TV or AV receiver and it can be powered through the supplied USB adapter. It is capable of streaming 4K at 60Hz along with Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and HDR10 support. This device can process Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus with Dolby Atmos pass-through.
The device also comes with a remote that has the navigation pad at the top, volume buttons on the side, and shortcut buttons for Google Assistant, YouTube, and Netflix. The remote has an accelerometer so you can use it in gaming. The remote connects to the Chromecast over Bluetooth but also has an IR sensor to control TV, soundbars, and receivers.
Chromecast with Google TV runs on the new Google TV software built on the top of existing Android TV. The UI looks similar to what we see in Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV UI. You get category tabs at the top and a tile-based UI for other content and installed apps. The UI also categorizes content from apps based on your watch history and genre.
It is priced at just $50 and will be available in the US starting today, it will also be available in other select countries starting October 15.
