Google could replace Chromecast with an Android TV-based product

guest · May 6, 2020

Google’s next streaming device will shake up the Android TV world
The new dongle, with a content-centric user interface and possibly Nest-branded, is set to debut in the coming months
May 6, 2020
https://www.protocol.com/google-streaming-device-dongle-android-tv-nest

Google is set to introduce an Android TV streaming device in the coming months, a reimagined dongle with a new user interface that will put a bigger emphasis on individual movies and TV shows as opposed to apps, multiple sources with knowledge of the company's plans told Protocol. The company will likely extend its Nest brand to the new device, according to one of those sources.

Google's decision to produce a new streaming dongle shows its desire to more aggressively compete with Amazon and Roku in the streaming hardware space.
What we know about Google's next streaming dongle
Google's upcoming streaming device has been described as looking similar to a Chromecast streaming adapter, but will function more like a Roku or Fire TV stick. Whereas a Chromecast needs a phone to launch content, the new device will come with a full-fledged TV interface and ship with its own remote control.

Like other Android TV devices, it will allow users to cast content, and it is expected to support Google's Stadia cloud gaming service.
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Google will market the device under a distinct brand, separating it from third-party streaming devices based on Android TV, according to two sources with knowledge of the company's plans.
It is still unclear when Google will unveil or release the device.
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Neowin: Google could replace Chromecast with an Android TV-based product

Last month, a report from 9to5Google suggested that Google is considering replacing the Chromecast with an Android TV-based alternative, and today, Protocol has another report corroborating that story.
According to the report, the move an Android TV-based device is a a result of declining market share for Chromecast, with many users preferring fully-featured platforms for TVs, such as Roku and Fire TV.

Google wants to distinguish this new streaming device from other Android TV devices, and sources suggest that the company might use the Nest branding for it, bringing it under the same umbrella as its smart speakers and displays. A report from earlier today suggests that Google could be renaming Android TV to Google TV, which could end up aligning with this new product.
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On a slightly different note, the report also suggests that Google is planning to lower the hardware requirements for Android TV, so more TVs can be released with the operating system at a lower price point.
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guest · Jun 3, 2020

Leak offers an early look at Google's rumored Android TV dongle
Including the remote and a revamped interface
June 2, 2020
https://www.engadget.com/google-android-tv-dongle-image-leak-183709742.html

Google’s rumored Android TV dongle just got a bit more tangible. XDA-Developers has obtained what it says are early renders of the media hub, codenamed “Sabrina.”
Sure enough, the device (reportedly Nest-branded) is very much in keeping with Google’s modern aesthetic with a smooth, rounded look in a variety of colors. Think of it as a friendlier-looking alternative to Amazon’s Fire TV pendant. For some, though, the device itself may be less interesting than the rest of the setup.

It’s not certain how much the dongle would cost or when it would ship, although Protocol previously claimed it could sell for $80 or less.
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guest · Jun 13, 2020

Latest Google ‘Sabrina’ Android TV dongle leak details programmable button, specs
June 12, 2020
https://9to5google.com/2020/06/12/google-android-tv-dongle-shortcut-button-leak/

Ahead of its eventual launch, we’ve learned a few core details about Google’s upcoming first-party Android TV dongle, “Sabrina.” Today, a firmware dump from the device reveal some main specs from Google’s Android TV dongle, as well as revealing a handy shortcut button on the remote.

Looking at the specs, Google’s Android TV dongle is pretty run-of-the-mill. The device appears to be using an Amlogic S905X2 chipset.
That’s not going to be a powerhouse, but it’s plenty to run Google’s platform. That chip, too, supports 4K/60 output with HDR, Dolby Vision, and more. It pretty much covers all of the bases. It also comes with an ARM Mali-G31 MP2 GPU.

On top of that, the leaked firmware also reveals a new feature coming to Android TV. This mode, “Auto Low Latency Mode,” is a part of the HDMI 2.1 specification which “Sabrina” supports.
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We first reported Google’s work on a new first-party Android TV dongle earlier this year, and it’s expected to arrive sometime later this year.
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guest · Jun 27, 2020

Google Leaked its Own Android TV Dongle
June 26, 2020
https://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2020/06/google-leaked-its-own-android-tv-dongle/

We've unofficially known about an upcoming Android TV dongle coming to the Made By Google range for some time now: leaked renders show a pebble-shaped device codenamed Sabrina.

Now, the dongle has cameoed in one of Google's own videos, and all the details match up.
The Big G released an unexpected developer preview of Android 11 for Android TV, and those clever types at 9to5Google went digging through the files to find goodies.
According to yet more leaks, these are the specs you can look forward to:

Details that popped up at XDA Developers say that the dongle will come with an Amlogic S905X2 chipset and 2GB of RAM, which is all fairly normal for this sort of device. But that hardware will offer support for 4K resolution and 60 FPS over HDMI 2.1, plus HDR in the form of HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision.
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If the renders turn out to be accurate, you'll be able to buy Sabrina in black, white, or Google's favoured 'not pink' creamy peach colour. How much it'll cost and when it'll actually surface are some of the only details we don't yet know. [9to5Google]
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guest · Aug 24, 2020

Two Google devices arrive at FCC, possibly new ‘Sabrina’ Android TV and remote
August 23, 2020
https://9to5google.com/2020/08/23/two-google-devices-fcc-possibly-sabrina-android-tv-remote/

For a few months now, we’ve been slowly learning more about Google’s next streaming device, which will be powered by Android TV instead of being a simple Chromecast. Today, two new Google devices have shown up at the FCC, which we believe to be the first-party Android TV and its remote.

Before a device with wireless capabilities can go on sale in the United States, it needs to be specifically approved by the FCC. This morning, Google submitted paperwork for two new devices with model numbers GZRNL and G9N9N.
From the description of GZRNL as an “Interactive Media Streaming Device,” we believe that this could be Google’s much-anticipated Android TV dongle, codenamed Sabrina and poised to be a successor to the Chromecast Ultra.
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All the interesting parts of these FCC listings, such as pictures revealing what these two devices are, are locked behind the FCC’s temporary confidentiality until late January. Both of these devices are notably “Made in Thailand” as Google seeks to diversify its supply chain.
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The Verge: Google’s Android TV dongle could be coming soon

‘Sabrina’ shows up at the FCC?
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guest · Sep 1, 2020

Google’s ‘Sabrina’ Android TV dongle appears at major retailers suggesting $49-$59 price
August 31, 2020
https://9to5google.com/2020/08/31/google-sabrina-android-tv-price/

Back in March of this year, we reported that Google was preparing to launch its own Android TV dongle. In the time since, along with the world going upside down, a handful of leaks have revealed more about the product. Today, we’ve obtained information that suggests the price of Google’s first Android TV dongle, “Sabrina.”

According to Home Depot’s internal systems, Google’s “Sabrina” Android TV dongle is going to have a price much more affordable than anyone expected. Currently, the product is listed at just $49.99, well below the cost of the current Chromecast Ultra and just $15 above the third-gen Chromecast. It also directly matches the price of both the Roku Streaming Stick+ and the Amazon Fire TV Stick.
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Beyond the price of “Sabrina,” we can also see that Google is planning to release three different colors of its Android TV dongle.

Update: After we first broke this story, two more retail listings have been uncovered. The folks over at Droid-Life spotted the product at Walmart for $59 and Artem Russakovskii from Android Police has since also confirmed Target has that same $60 price point listed internally. Interestingly, too, that listing comes with a September 30th release date.
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guest · Sep 12, 2020

Retailer suggests that ‘Sabrina’ dongle could launch as ‘Google Chromecast with Google TV’
September 11, 2020
https://9to5google.com/2020/09/11/chromecast-with-google-tv/

Made by Google’s upcoming “Sabrina” streaming device has thoroughly leaked in recent months. One of the last renaming questions is how it will be branded. A new leak today suggests that it could be called the “Google Chromecast with Google TV.”

Late last month, 9to5Google found that Home Depot internally listed a Google-made “Sabrina” device for $49.99. After we broke the story, more listings were discovered that suggested a slightly higher $59 price point.
Android Police’s Artem Russakovskii this evening says Target’s retail system now prices the device at $49.99. The more significant discovery is Sabrina’s new name: “Google Chromecast with Google TV.”
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Earlier rumors suggested Nest branding on this dongle to fit the general media device nature alongside Smart Displays and speakers. Today’s leak suggests that Google will retain the Chromecast branding.
This move would make sense in how people are already familiar with Chromecasts as affordable streamers, while putting “Nest” in front could be odd.
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guest · Sep 18, 2020

Next-gen Chromecast's remote could have dedicated YouTube and Netflix buttons
September 18, 2020
https://www.neowin.net/news/next-ge...ld-have-dedicated-youtube-and-netflix-buttons

Google's next-generation Chromecast was first revealed in all its glory in June, courtesy of a set of leaked images showing an oblong dongle running Android TV. The dongle was also shown to be paired with a remote control, something that's not found in previous generations.

Today, a fresh leak suggests that the next Chromecast's remote will feature dedicated buttons for Netflix and YouTube. That's in addition to the dedicated Google Assistant button already seen in the previous leak.
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The inclusion of a remote control essentially turns Chromecast into something like a set-top box, slipping away from its original idea of only letting users start a video on their phones and casting it to their TV so that the Chromecast would play the stream.
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guest · Sep 29, 2020

Chromecast with Google TV already being sold ahead of announcement
September 28, 2020
https://www.slashgear.com/chromecas...dy-being-sold-ahead-of-announcement-28640292/

It appears that both Home Depot and Walmart have already started selling the Chromecast with Google TV, a.k.a. “Sabrina”, two days before Google even has the chance to fully reveal what it is.

Of course, given how things have been leaking in torrents these past weeks, there might be little left for Google to announce anyway. But it’s one thing to see the device in leaked hands-on photos and quite another thing for retailers to actually start selling and sending retail units to buyers.
For better or worse, Home Depot and Walmart have not only put the $49.99 device on shelves but have actually allowed customers to buy them, even online.
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Even more worrying are the clues that the dongle may not support Stadia, which would be a rather perplexing situation. Stadia works both on the Chromecast Ultra and Android TV so one would presume it would work for this Google TV as well
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