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Does Google TV provide any content itself, or is this just a wrapper around other streaming services so Google can collect better data on what you're watching?
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.
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don't know about google tv, but chromecast is wildly successful.
Combing both Chromecast and Android TV (e.g. Nvidia Shield) has a less than 10% market share. 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.
Chromecast has always had the issue that it's main users are the tech savvy who are comfortable controlling everything via smartphone. That's not a huge percent of the population.
By adding the remote and going for the play of helping you navigate cross app, they seem to be trying to extend out to less savvy users who need a more guided product.
Overall it seems like the longterm plan is to push their subscription services, since I can't imagine they make great money from the devices themselves. Increasing user base is the best way for them to achieve that goal.
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.
The Netflix offer is difficult to ignore if you already have the Netflix standard plan, it essentially makes this device cost only $12.05 ($12.99 * 6 = 77.94 - $89.99). That kind of offer isn't itself surprising, but it being available to existing Netflix subscribers is unusual.
Tempted by the offer being open to existing subscribers, but seems odd they are selling a 4K/HDR supporting device, but not offering a 4K based plan!
> You may apply the value of the offer to a different Netflix streaming plan.
IMO, Apple TV has been one of the strengths of the iOS ecosystem over Android. Chromecast has a lot of good integrations, but the dongle’s lack of a standalone UI with independent controls made it awkward for communal living room use. Looks like this could be a strong competitor and the price greatly undercuts Apple. I’m excited to try it out.
The BIG difference here is that Netflix is fully integrated with the search/queue/discovery experience, along with all of the other major streaming services like Prime. Apple hasn't managed to land that one yet – having access to their content baked into the experience is a huge advantage, let alone not alienating Netflix as Apple did in the past with the TV app: https://9to5mac.com/2019/03/18/netflix-apple-video-ser…
I've been a long time Roku user, who didn't like chromecast because I prefer a UI and a hardware remote. 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.
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I've had an Apple TV for about 2 years. Last year I bought a Chromecast (against my better judgement) for my parents because their "smart" TV apps are awful. I would've bought them an Apple TV but they didn't want me spending that much on them, unfortunately. 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 defin…
i agree. at the time i purchased an AppleTV because ChromeCast was just awful. I'd lose connection from my iPhone, browser, friends would lose connection. Streaming from Plex was terrible. I liked just being able to have a dedicated box but didn't want to get a Roku/FireStick. I'm glad they finally introduced this but it's a bit too late for me .
Don’t forget Google already abandoned Google TV once: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_TV I bought it as a gift for someone once and they cancelled it and deleted the SDK.