The Google Chromecast with Google TV has been on the market for four years and in that time it has become my favorite TV dongle. I liked the previous Chromecast 3, but it was too small for me and the Menlo Park company knew upgrade the device to make it a must-have on my TV: It was still simple, but being independent and having control was practically enough.
Google TV is the operating system that I like the most and that is in my opinion its main argument, but the device has room for improvement: after months of using it daily, it is clear to me that Google TV with Chromecast is fine, but needs more to be up to par some of the characteristics of the competition and the current times.
Hardware: More storage needed
It is clear that with a new generation, there will be more modern hardware and As for the processor there is no doubt: It will be more powerful and we cannot rule out that it even supports AI functions. So far, this is normal and expected. Similarly, I also expect the RAM to increase. But for me the most glaring thing at the hardware level is the storage.
ANDThe Chromecast with Google TV 4K only has 8GB of storage and it doesn’t have a USB port to plug in a USB flash drive or hard drive, so that’s all the space you have. Considering that it will normally take Google at least a couple of years to update this device, it’s essential that it leaves behind those 8GB and goes up to at least 16.
Because with 8GB in 2024 it is on par with the veteran NVIDIA Shield or the cheapest models from Amazon, the Fire TV (the Apple TV starts at 64GB and the Fire TV 4K Max goes up to 16GB). Clearly, insufficient for the current times and even more so if you are a person who downloads a lot of apps.
By the way, Would it be too much to ask for it to be expandable?
More ports please
Precisely from the previous point, there is a very interesting way out: it would be great if the next Chromecast with Google TV had some additional USB port for these purposes. In addition, its rumored new design, leaving behind the dongle in favor of the set top box, would make it possible without much complication. Thus we could use an external hard drive to play movies, series, music, etc.
Having said that, Wi-Fi is great, but with an Ethernet port it’s another level. Because yes, a wireless Internet connection is usually enough, but for high-quality streaming, a cable would be great.
Small details for the controller
I have to say that I’m pretty happy with the current Chromecast remote, it’s ergonomic and compact… although in my experience, It’s very easy to lose it on the sofaIn any case, it would be great if it had UWB support so you could find it with your phone. And if it had a couple of customizable buttons, that would be ideal, although if that’s not the case we can always get by with apps like tvQuickActions or Button Mapper.
More muscle for home automation
Google has its own ecosystem for the home and after adding a button to invoke its assistant, it is time to go one step further and Turning the TV into the nerve center of everything to be able to control smart devices such as lighting, plugs, air conditioning… without the need for a hub.
Yes, you can already stream content from surveillance cameras and do basic control via the wizard, but adding Matter support would take it to the next level.
Cover | Enrique Perez (Xataka)