Google replaced its popular TV streaming stick with a new version called Google TV Streamer earlier this year. However, the new iteration didn't fully replicate its features – prompting a third-party manufacturer to take matters into your own hands.
Google is upgrading its HDMI accessories for televisions. This means, as the brand announced At the beginning of the year, the discontinuation of production of the Chromecast 4K with Google TV. The company is currently replacing it in the United States with a set-top box in a more classic format – all with a higher price.
In the process, Google is giving the competition the freedom to fill the gap left by the absence of this option to connect any television. An opportunity that Thomson was quick to seize. The brand has just announced a new range of devices, including a dongle, called Cast 150, which essentially takes over the format and features of the now-defunct Chromecast.
This Thomson dongle takes over from the Chromecast with Google TV
Visually, apart from the branding visible on the top of the device, we are indeed looking at two extremely similar offerings. We find the shape of a white pebble, from which comes a flexible HDMI cable to plug directly into a free port on the TV. As with the Google version, a power supply via USB-C is necessary.
The device comes with a WiFi remote control which is also reminiscent, again, of the one that came with the Google device. There are roughly the same buttons, including a button to launch Google Assistant. There is, however, a slight difference, with the presence of a Live TV button that suggests simplified access to live TV channels.
The device, which offers 4K resolution, is built around a quad-core chip with Cortex A35 and Mali-G31 enclaves for the graphics part. The whole thing is accompanied by 2 GB of RAM and 8 GB of internal storage. A combination that allows the delivery of content stamped Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision (HDR).
For now, Thomson is content to announce the device without giving a price or availability date. Given the relatively proven hardware platform of the Chromecast generation with Google TV, we can however hope for a marketing at a very reasonable price.
0 Comments