Why I will not be making the soar from Chromecast to Google TV Streamer

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 considered making the plain determination of going for the Streamer, however there have been just a few various things that gave me pause.

Whereas the Google TV Streamer looks as if a wonderfully serviceable machine, I would relatively 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 not less than, is that Google’s new streamer does not do sufficient to make me need to depart the acquainted territory of the Apple TV 4K, my favourite streamer in the marketplace. My present plan is to choose up a more moderen Apple TV 4K and put my growing older first-gen one the place my Chromecast at present 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 take into account selecting 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 machine. Worth is an enormous issue right here, and at $100, it is actually not that far off from the $130 Apple TV 4K that has just a few extra options.

It is robust to make the leap to a wholly new platform when the value is that shut, and it is even more durable when you’ve subscriptions by way of Apple that you would need to cancel and swap over to Google. I perceive that it is one thing it’s important to sit again and take into consideration in the event you do not personal any streaming machine, however that is not the case with me.

Pocket-lint’s evaluate 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 thing you’d need.

It would get higher over time

Timing is every thing

Google

Whereas I do not suppose the Google Streamer has a spot in my dwelling at present, that does not imply it will not ever. Not like another Google merchandise that weren’t given the chance to mature, Google does not seem more likely to abandon the streamer. This implies issues that Apple is forward with, like 21:9 ultra-wide assist due to a late 2024 replace, could possibly be within the playing cards for Google.

Sadly for Google, that point is just not proper now. So long as Apple affords a aggressive worth with Google, I do not see a cause to ditch the Apple TV 4K. This hole may widen much more if Apple decides to come back out with a streaming stick to pair with the present 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 over again.

The hope I’ve is that Google provides this machine 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 preserve constructing on the inspiration of the Streamer.

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How the Google Streamer can win me over

Hope is just not 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 might 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 a variety of model loyalty, and I am going to go together with no matter one of the best product is.

The purpose is, there is perhaps some kind of function added to the Streamer, one which I am unable to even consider for the time being, which may show to be a tipping level. That is additionally a state of affairs the place the cheaper price may turn out to be useful. From the place I am sitting, there simply does not appear to be an enormous cause for me to ditch Apple and go to Google, even when I am shopping for a second machine.

Whereas it isn’t 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, but it surely’s one other instance the place Apple comes forward.

I am not right here to yuck on anybody’s yum, and in the event you picked up the Google machine that you just’re proud of, then there’s nothing to fret about. I am certain 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 may slash it down a bit extra, or add extra options to it, then I’d give it one other look.

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