Google is reportedly developing a new Google TV streamer, and this time the biggest upgrades could be about making your TV more useful without reaching for the remote every few minutes. The upcoming device is expected to add built-in microphones for hands-free Google Assistant commands, presence sensing, a faster processor and more storage.
According to a report by 9to5Google, the next-generation streamer will retain the familiar design of the current model, although its body will be slightly narrower. There’s no confirmed launch date or pricing yet, so anyone waiting for an upgrade will have to hold on a little longer.
Google TV Streamer could finally be listened to without the remote control
The most interesting change is the addition of microphones directly on the streaming device. Cutouts on its slanted, pill-shaped surface allow it to listen for “Hey Google” commands. This could make controlling your TV, searching for content or asking questions more convenient without first picking up the remote control.
Google is also reportedly adding presence sensing, a feature that can detect when someone enters a room. The technology could trigger a Google Photos screensaver when you enter, then display ambient information like the time and weather as you get closer to the TV. TCL has already introduced this capability in a Google TV device, but bringing it to Google’s own streamer could make the feature more widely visible in its ecosystem.
Under the hood, it is expected that the new model will get a faster processor and more storage than the existing device 32GB. That could help with app performance and leave more space for installed apps, although the report doesn’t show the exact chip or storage capacity.
A refreshed remote and more power, but no launch date yet
Google keeps the overall design of the remote largely unchanged, but adds two shortcuts alongside the existing YouTube and Netflix buttons. The Find My Remote button remains on the back of the streaming device, a useful feature for anyone whose remote routinely disappears between sofa cushions.
The timing of the refresh is interesting. Google raised the price of the current TV streamer by $50 in August, and the new model could help justify the higher cost with better hardware and more hands-free features. However, the report does not confirm how much the next version will cost or whether the price increase will carry over.
Google has not announced a release date. The previous transition from Chromecast with Google TV 4K to the Google TV Streamer involved a four-year gap, but it remains unclear how quickly this new model arrived. For now, built-in microphones, presence sensing, and a faster chip are promising upgrades, but their real value depends on how well Google integrates them into everyday TV use.