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 any individual trying to retire my Chromecast 4K, I considered making the plain choice of going for the Streamer, however there have been a number of various things that gave me pause.

Whereas the Google TV Streamer looks like a superbly serviceable system, I would quite not hop onto the primary iteration of one thing, even when it is constructing off the strong Google TV OS. What it largely comes right down to, for me not less than, is that Google’s new streamer would not do sufficient to make me wish to depart 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 ageing first-gen one the place my Chromecast presently 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 is not totally Google’s fault, however there are some issues I must see from the corporate earlier than I can absolutely take into account choosing up one other streamer from it.

Associated

RIP Chromecast: Say hello to the new Google TV Streamer

The brand new leisure streaming system replaces Chromecast with a slew of updates and improvements.

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. Through the years, tvOS has matured into a really strong 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 individual who has been rocking a first-gen Apple TV 4K, I do not see the worth in going for Google’s new system. 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 number of extra options.

It is robust to make the leap to a completely new platform when the value is that shut, and it is even more durable when you could have subscriptions by means of Apple that you would need to cancel and swap over to Google. I perceive that it is one thing it’s a must to sit again and take into consideration should you do not personal any streaming system, however that is not the case with me.

Pocket-lint’s overview 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 would get higher over time

Timing is every part

Google

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

Sadly for Google, that point will not be proper now. So long as Apple provides 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 prevailing Apple TV, however that is a dialogue for an additional 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 once more.

The hope I’ve is that Google offers this system time to construct up an viewers, one thing that is not at all times 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.

Associated

Keep Apple TV from harvesting your data by changing these 3 settings immediately

Preserve your knowledge secured by altering these Apple TV 4K settings.

How the Google Streamer can win me over

Hope will not 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 gained me over was Dolby Atmos on Apple Music. I used to be searching 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 because of options nothing else had.

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

The purpose is, there may be some kind of characteristic added to the Streamer, one which I can not even consider for the time being, that 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 would not appear to be an enormous cause for me to ditch Apple and go to Google, even when I am shopping for a second system.

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 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 should you picked up the Google system that you just’re pleased with, 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 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.

Associated

How I turned my Apple TV 4K into a retro gaming powerhouse

The Apple TV 4K is a surprisingly competent gaming machine.