Ever since the first chrome cast came out I've been a big fan of it. Being able to show YouTube and Google Photos on TV via the HDMI port. When I had my first house and cut the cable cord I used it quite a bit.
When I had my townhouse I cut the dish cord and went to YouTube and bought Roku's for the interface and guide like option with YouTube TV instead of having to cast channels. Especially with kids being home when I wasn't home, this was a great option. They could hit the home button and go to all the apps. My chrome cast was still there to show photos, but used it much less.
Since buying the Stadia, I have used it quite a bit more and getting things more integrated all the way around with the Google/Nest Wifi and the homes and using the assistant and routines more.
Then Google announced the new Chrome cast with the redesigned Google TV and with remote it has taken the streaming wars to a new level and come from behind and taken the lead from Roku. The remote is universal and can replace your regular remote, can tie to volume, power and input buttons. It also syncs to soundbars if you have that.
Being able to search throughout all your apps on one screen is a game changer. It's nice to not have to go from Disney+ to YouTube TV to Netflix to Hulu. It's all there in one screen. Add in the search with google assistant and the ability to hold a button and just speak it into the remote is great feature. Search for all Batman movies it brings back everything you can watch.
The guide for YouTube TV dwarfs that of Roku's version too. When clicking around different times on the same network there is a very slow response. On the Chrome cast its quick and very responsive and shows on the screen more than an the hour available. You can move to the next hours in seamlessly too.
I haven't been upgraded to the Google TV app (formerly Google Play Movies) but it looks like it will be a great feature to tie to the Chrome cast. Some features seem available already on the web searching movies and shows already.
Google does need integrate Stadia with the Chrome cast yet, but that update is coming in early 2021. That would be one of the big negatives if you are a Stadia player. There are ways to backload it that have been documented but may cause some game play latency.
Roku still has a market on TVs they built and are selling. I've been a fan of those and recommended those to friends. I also own one in my bar. There are been some rumblings that Google would be interested in buying Roku. This would be a HUGE play in the streaming wars vs Apple TV and Amazon with the Fire Stick.
I think the only thing I would change is the remote. Make it just a lil bigger and not as slick.
ReplyDelete70+ age people have some issues with the slickness and size of buttons, especially the volume.