Today Google has launched the new Google TV Streamer, which for all intents and purposes is replacing the Chromecast. Google has also mainly focused on watching content on your TV with the Chromecast, but with the new Google TV Streamer it seems Google is taking notes from Apple, as it turns into a device that can help control your smart home.

The main change is the form factor. Famously, way back to the original Chromcast dongle from July 2013, it has always been just that, but Google has changed up the design and it now lives in your media cabinet or below the TV. It has a wedge shaped design making it look a bit nicer than most boxes.

Let's talk specs then, Google has beefed up this new device to be much more powerful than the Chromecast with Google TV, which was launched back in 2020. The new Google TV Streamer has a much faster CPU, now 22% faster, double the RAM, up from 2GB to 4GB and much more storage, at 32GB. It also handles streaming at 4K 60FPS with support for HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and spatial audio.

Google has also plopped a Ethernet port in there, much better than the USB adaptor that was previously required, and was an optional extra. Power is delivered over USB-C and finally, we have a standard HDMI port.

One of the main new features is its integrated Thread support. The old Chromecast had support for Matter, but this now becomes a Thread border router with support for Matter too, meaning smart home controls can be done locally. Rejoice. There is a side panel, like on tvOS to let you control camera, scenes and lights.

The new Google TV Streamer costs $99.99 in the US and can be preordered starting today. Official sales and deliveries will start on 24th September. Colour choices are Porcelain and Hazel.