The idea of the TV box isn’t dead just yet. We’ve certainly seen a drop-off recently in quantity from the big players like Apple and Xiaomi, whose TV Box S (2nd-gen) is still one of our favourites, but Google might just revive the genre. According to a report from 9to5Google, the company is working on a sequel to its Chromecast with Google TV (4K) device from 2020, this time taking the form of a ‘traditional’ TV box.
It’s getting streamy in here
Yup, Google has nixed the out-of-sight dongle. Instead, judging by images shared with 9to5Google, it’s opted for an entirely new slanted shape, putting us in mind of a wireless charger. Whether the makeover will serve an actual purpose remains to be seen, but we’re glad Google has at least foregone the rectangular look.
The device has already been christened the “Google TV Streamer” and we have no trouble believing Google would be quite so boring. As long as Google plies us with enough 2024-ish tech to justify a sequel to the Chromecast, we’re not all that fussed about what it’s called.
Unfortunately, the report is rather light about the specs Google whacked in here. We’re at least confident Google will outperform, or at the very least match, the Apple TV 4K (2022) that’s arguably the best streamer out there. If not, we’re not entirely sure what we or Google are doing here.
Read More: Google shutting down the Google Maps chat service you had no idea was a thing
Google holds onto the same basic shape for the controller, though it is slightly longer than the Chromecast remote. YouTube and Netflix buttons make an appearance alongside a new “Magic” shortcut button. Google’s killed off the Google Assistant button, replacing it with a plain-jane microphone button.
As for when we’ll see this little guy come to market officially, our best guess is at the company’s next Google I/O conference, which is currently slated for 13 August.