I bought it as a gift for someone once and they cancelled it and deleted the SDK.
This go-around, "Google TV" seems to be just some first-party Chromecast hardware running an OEM skin over Android TV OS. Much lower CapEx. Far easier to justify as a Google project.
(And it's a logical strategic move, too. A lot of smart TV manufacturers are shipping crap Android TV implementations that plaster advertising everywhere; and the advice everyone gives to get around that is to get an Apple TV, because Apple's tvOS doesn't force ads on you. That gives the Apple ecosystem a foothold in otherwise-Google-ecosystem homes and businesses. Google is likely willing to spend a lot of money to prevent Apple getting that foothold.)
https://9to5google.com/2020/08/05/android-tv-homescreen-ad-c...
As long as Google makes its money selling ads every one of their services is just one lousy executive seeking "synergies with the ad business" away from ruining the experience.
Making it smaller than Samsung, Amazon, and much smaller than Roku (market leader). It seems to have a hardcore audience that think the world of it (or who haven't tried anything else), but most of the market moved on years ago.
If anything this Google TV "Chromecast" is designed to make Chromecast relevant again.
Would that be a first?
-Winston S. Churchill (quote likely true but original provenance unknown)
... so now my post looks inaccurate
More info on Google TV: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_TV
The new Google TV is more akin to iPad OS and iOS splitting, where the TV and Phone variant can have their own identity, but from the looks of it, its starting out as just a single android app, and not a full on shell fork.
https://www.xda-developers.com/android-tv-rebrand-google-tv-...
Given this happened twice, I sensed there was an issue with the complete model line and bailed. I actually boycotted LG products for a few years as a result of this experience.
I generally keep my TV much longer than I keep a laptop/computer.
Given the amount of Netflix chatter my Pi Hole blocked from my Roku when I wasn't even using Netflix, data harvesting seems to be a big part of their operation.
Currently on Apple TV I’m just using each service’s app (Netflix, Plex, Amazon) to watch different shows, but one UI that kept track of everything would be neat.
But long story short, like you're saying the Apple TV's UX is on another level from the (previous) Chromecast since it lacks its own UI and controls. It's definitely one of the painpoints that I've noticed my parents having difficulty with.
Whereas Apple TV has an easy to use UI (other than individual streaming apps sometimes making their own media player UI, like Disney+ and Amazon Prime, which are awful).
I'm glad they finally introduced this but it's a bit too late for me .
But maybe, they'd like to put highly targeted ads on your TV.
The current article link (https://store.google.com/product/chromecast_google_tv) just goes to Google Store homepage for me (Finland).
@dang, could we please change the thread link to the one above?
That kind of offer isn't itself surprising, but it being available to existing Netflix subscribers is unusual.
> You may apply the value of the offer to a different Netflix streaming plan.
From the terms of the offer, it does look like you can apply the value of the offer to a 4k plan at a reduced duration.
* Offer value may be applied to a different Netflix streaming plan under the same account; exchanges in this manner may alter the duration of the offer. Netflix price plans subject to change and the duration of the offer value may be prorated accordingly.
The ability to bundle in 6 months of Netflix for $40 is so random. Why not offer a YoutubeTV bundle? Where is the product synergy?
It's nice that Stadia will come later but that the fact that it's not available at launch is a huge missed opportunity.
I am surprised that they gave a button to Netflix as well on the remote. Though it does make sense considering YT and Netflix is what I use mostly on even Fire TV when not watching sports.
My TV also came with such buttons and it’s one of the reasons I absolutely refuse to use that remote.
It feels like there were maybe two to three paragraphs of text total on that page. I want to read the text. I do not want flying, fading out images all over the place.
This low-information-density design trend is an incredibly user-unfriendly experience for desktop users.
If you use smooth scrolling by middle mouse click then movement it works OK.
The real solution is that the smarts should be in a Chromecast or Apple TV or Roku, that way it's easy to replace or upgrade.
probably not worth the time it would take, but this kind of behavior from companies like google is just so toxic.
The advertising suggests it organizes all services into one screen. That is promising. But I am willing to bet it only covers certain streaming services and wouldn't cover Plex (or apps like it).
I'll read reviews with interest.
On the other hand, it probably does support streaming from any Cast enabled app, so it probably won't be any worse than a classic chromecast, even if direct on device content is probably highly limited.
The real question is if it supports installing Android TV apps, to extend the built-in UI or if it is limited casting and the content from the app.
Another screenshot shows a "My Apps" row on the homescreen, so I suspect it might actually support installing additional apps. I tend to doubt they get to integrate with the launcher in any meaningful way though.
Android TV did allow that, but they seem to want to be able to support things like a single playlist across the android Google TV app and the various new Google TV devices.
Disc: Googler.
Google TV seems to be the most complete solution now. Next to Apple TV and Shield.
https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/29/21494161/google-chromecas...
This sounds like typical Google where the development of this product and Stadia were so separated that they completely missed the huge opportunity. What a frustrating miss. Stadia has been advertising like crazy and you'd need to buy the EOL Chromecast Ultra to play on a TV and they'll miss one of their strongest cross-promotions going into the holiday season. They could have been undercutting PS5 and Series X with a $50 device that played the same AAA games with the Bluetooth controller you already own. This company is a zombie.
On top of that I really appreciate how efficient webOS seems to be. Since the apps are just HTML/JS the updates are very unobtrusive, sometimes downloading a few kilobytes only. Not at all the horror show that is Android app updates.
Not sure where to find the real product page.
Edit: Link: https://store.google.com/us/product/chromecast_google_tv
Chromecast is nearly perfect for me because I don't need to clutter my TV or a device with apps I could always just use my phone apps that already were logged into everything to play videos.
So I guess they are still upgrading and paying attention to older models ?
It is a rebranding and the new direction of Android TV. (https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2020/09/google-merges-chrome...)
> “But while Android TV is the foundation of the new Chromecast, the whole experience feels very new. Because unlike TVs from Sony and set-top boxes from Nvidia and other brands that run the traditional version of Android TV, Google has created a new “Google TV” layer atop the operating system that completely replaces the old home screen experience.”
From https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/29/21494298/chromecast-googl...
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.and...
What’s unique about this? It sounds entirely underwhelming.
And I especially say that as someone who enthusiastically bought a Nexus Player, only to get rid off it a few weeks later.
Chromecast with Google TV is more in line with Apple TV, FireTV, and the now discontinued Nexus TV.
How is this different?
[0] https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=se.hedekonsult...
