Google TV Streamer 4K: Sleek design, smart features, and stellar streaming quality
Pictures: Google Google Streamer Tv
Google’s latest Google TV Streamer is the company's first new TV device since the Chromecast with Google TV. It improves performance, has a sleek design, and has added features. It is designed to connect directly to any TV and brings streaming to non-smart TVs or upgrades existing smart ones.
Google includes the essentials in the box: the sleek TV streamer device, a power cable with an adapter, and two batteries for the remote. Notably, you don’t get an HDMI cable, so you’ll need to provide one yourself — an HDMI 2.1 cable is recommended to make the most of the 4K HDR support.
The design is very much in line with Google’s aesthetic: rounded edges, a matte finish, and a compact pebble-like shape. Unlike the older Chromecast dongles, which could be tucked behind the TV, this streamer is designed to sit visibly on a TV stand or shelf. It’s a good-looking device.
Setting up the Google TV Streamer is simple. After plugging it in and connecting it to your TV via HDMI, the setup walks you through pairing the remote, connecting to Wi-Fi, and a few customisation options. Notably, this device can connect directly to a router via Ethernet, offering a stable connection ideal for high-definition streaming.
The remote has seen some minor changes: it’s slightly longer, has a customisable star button to launch any app or function you prefer, and has dedicated buttons for YouTube and Netflix. The Google Assistant button remains, allowing voice control and smart home commands. For those who prefer their TV’s remote, the device can connect instantly to compatible remotes, making switching between remotes hassle-free.
The user interface is clean and uncluttered, with tabs for For You, Movies, Shows, Apps, and Library. The For You tab curates recommendations based on your viewing habits from the various streaming apps installed, though it takes time for the algorithm to refine its suggestions. What I love about the curated home screen is that it displays a Rotten Tomatoes score below each title. Based on movies and TV shows I’ve watched, I’d generally agree with their assessment, and it saves wasting time watching something I won’t like. The only thing I don’t like is that it also recommends shows and movies from other streaming apps that I’m not subscribed to, and I couldn’t find a way to turn this off. I don’t mind that you also get recommendations of movies you can rent or buy from Google, although I’d like it more if it included other platforms like Apple TV or Prime Video.
Most major streaming apps are available, including all the Irish players. It is also great that RTE has finally fixed their app to play Live TV on the platform.
The Google Home integration is a nice touch; with a quick shortcut, you can directly access your smart home devices, such as lights or cameras, from the TV interface. The streamer also supports Thread and Matter, ensuring it’s future-proofed as smart home standards evolve.
One of the key features Google advertises is Ambient mode, which turns your TV into a digital slideshow when idle. You can display photos and art or even generate AI-assisted artwork using Google’s Gemini AI. While a fun feature, it operates more like a screensaver. You can go into settings to turn it on manually, but there’s no single button to quickly launch Ambient mode, which makes it slightly less convenient.
In terms of performance, the Google TV Streamer handles 4K HDR content beautifully, and the Ethernet port provides stable streaming without interruptions. Google says the new streamer is 22% faster, and I noticed a significant performance improvement, with apps loading quicker and things like scrolling and navigating the UI much smoother.
The device supports Bluetooth, so you can connect Bluetooth headphones for private listening, which is particularly useful for late-night viewing. Spatial audio is supported with the Google Pixel Buds Pro, offering a high-quality, immersive sound experience.
The Google TV Streamer 4K is an attractive device that enhances any TV’s streaming capabilities with access to Google’s smart home features. Priced at €120, it’s more expensive than the old Chromecast but still less than an Apple TV 4K with Ethernet, making it a solid option for Google fans.
€119 Google Store