Google’s Next TV Streamer May Add Voice Control and Room Sensing
Is developing a successor to its TV Streamer with microphones, presence sensing and a redesigned remote, according to a report by 9to5Google. The upgr...
Google is developing a successor to its TV Streamer with microphones, presence sensing and a redesigned remote, according to a report by 9to5Google. The upgrades could give the device more hands-free controls and let it respond when someone enters a room.
The report offers no release date or pricing. It says the new box will keep a design similar to the current model while gaining a faster processor and more storage than its predecessor’s 32GB.
A streaming box with more room awareness
Built-in microphones could let users speak to the Streamer as they would to a Google Home device. Presence sensing may also detect someone arriving and trigger features such as a Google Photos screensaver.
That would broaden the box’s role beyond playing films and shows. The current Google TV Streamer has been on the market for more than two years, and a report cited by Droid Life says Google is working on the next generation.
The remote is also expected to change, though the report provides no details about its design or functions. Google has not announced the device publicly in the supplied material.
Price pressure raises the stakes
The upgrade plans come as the current Streamer faces a tougher value proposition. Google raised its price in the United States by 50%, citing higher component costs, according to TechRadar. The increase has made the device harder to compare with alternatives such as Apple TV 4K and Amazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K.
That matters for buyers weighing whether to purchase the existing model or wait. The current box remains well regarded in at least one recent streaming-device roundup: Tom’s Guide placed it second, citing its interface and Gemini AI features. But a faster chip and added storage could make a new model more compelling, particularly if the price also rises.
For now, Google has not confirmed when the next Streamer will arrive or how much it will cost. The reported changes include more than 32GB of storage, the capacity listed for the current model.
Source: droid-life.com
