Why I will not be making the soar from Chromecast ...

The Google TV Streamer is Google’s newest foray into the streaming world, and it changed the outgoing Google Chromecast. As someone trying to retire my Chromecast 4K, I thought of making the plain choice of going for the Streamer, however there have been a couple of various things that gave me pause.

Whereas the Google TV Streamer looks as if a wonderfully serviceable gadget, I might reasonably not hop onto the primary iteration of one thing, even when it is constructing off the strong Google TV OS. What it largely comes all the way down to, for me no less than, is that Google’s new streamer does not do sufficient to make me wish to go away the acquainted territory of the Apple TV 4K, my favourite streamer available on the market. My present plan is to select up a more moderen Apple TV 4K and put my getting old first-gen one the place my Chromecast at the moment is. From there, my Chromecast goes right into a field the place it’s going to keep till I get a TV arrange in my basement.

It isn’t completely Google’s fault, however there are some issues I have to 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 strong piece of software program, and it is nonetheless shocking me with new options such as 21:9 support.

That is not saying Google cannot get there or is not shut, however as someone 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 an enormous issue right here, and at $100, it is actually not that far off from the $130 Apple TV 4K that has a couple of extra options.

It is robust 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 via Apple that you would need to cancel and swap over to Google. I perceive that it is one thing you must sit again and take into consideration for those who 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 trendy HDR codecs, the audio codecs, and streams in 4K. For most individuals, it does every part you’d need.

It would get higher over time

Timing is every part

Google

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

Sadly for Google, that point just isn’t proper now. So long as Apple presents a aggressive worth with Google, I do not see a motive to ditch the Apple TV 4K. This hole might 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 over again.

The hope I’ve is that Google provides 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 hold constructing on the muse of the Streamer.

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How the Google Streamer can win me over

Hope just isn’t 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 gained me over was Dolby Atmos on Apple Music. I used to be on the lookout for a service that would present what my encompass sound setup was able to, and it did simply that. To place it merely, I used to be gained over by Apple due to options nothing else had.

There could come a time when Google has a function 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 lots of model loyalty, and I am going to go together with no matter the perfect product is.

The purpose is, there may be some form of function added to the Streamer, one which I am unable to even consider in the meanwhile, that may show to be a tipping level. That is additionally a state of affairs the place the cheaper price might turn out to be useful. From the place I am sitting, there simply does not appear to be an enormous motive 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 an enormous promoting level for lots of people. Google might simply make up floor there with a future iteration, nevertheless it’s one other instance the place Apple comes forward.

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

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