Google may be preparing to launch affordable 'Chromecast HD with Google TV'

Update, Jan 24 (4:45 p.m. ET): New information emerges of low-end Google TV dongle
What you need to know
- A new Chromecast with Google TV device is reportedly in the works.
- No information has been provided, although we suspect it could include support for the AV1 video format.
- Google may release the new dongle later in 2022.
The Chromecast with Google TV debuted only a year and a half ago, but a successor is reportedly in the pipeline already. The search giant is rumored to be preparing to introduce an upgraded Chromecast with Google TV later this year.
Internal documentation and code analysis confirm the existence of the device, codenamed "Boreal," according to 9to5Google. The streaming dongle could potentially be an upgrade over the existing Chromecast with Google TV, though its specifications are unknown.
That said, a new processing power and AV1 video format support may be in the cards. The latter, in particular, is being reportedly required by Google to be present in newer Android TV models, per XDA Developers. However, Google's current streaming device does not support the AV1 format.
For starters, AV1 codec should minimize bandwidth requirements when streaming videos without significantly compromising quality. More importantly, it's a royalty-free format, unlike previous standards that were costly to license, such as AVC
It remains unclear, though, whether the rumored dongle is a successor to one of the best streaming devices or simply a higher-end model. But seeing as the device has a new internal codename, we could be looking at a replacement. We can only hope that Google will also address the current Chromecast's major flaw in the upcoming dongle.
Update, Jan 24 (4:45 p.m. ET) ― "Boreal" could be a low-end Chromecast with Google TV dongle
New information has emerged about the rumored Chromecast with Google TV device. As reported by Protocol on Monday, the new device could be dubbed "Chromecast HD with Google TV."
As the name suggests, we're likely looking at a lower-end version of Google's current dongle, one that only supports 1080p/60fps and not 4K.
Protocol says the device will be powered by an Amlogic S805X2 CPU with a Mali-G31 GPU, allowing support for the AV1 video codec — something the current model doesn't support.
By launching an HD model, Google appears to be targeting other smart TV platforms like Roku and Amazon Fire TV, both of which sell a range of models in the high and low-end. This could make the Google TV platform much more accessible, as it will likely come with a sub $50 price tag.
It's not clear when such a device is expected to launch.
Chromecast with Google TV
Google's latest streaming device has everything you could want, including 4K HDR support, Dolby Vision and Atmos support, and a remote for the first time. When you combine all of that with the excellent Google TV interface and a low price, the Chromecast with Google TV becomes one of Google's best new products in a long time.
- $50 at Best Buy (opens in new tab)
- $50 at B&H (opens in new tab)
Get the Android Central Newsletter
Instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
Jay Bonggolto always keeps a nose for news. He has been writing about consumer tech and apps for as long as he can remember, and he has used a variety of Android phones since falling in love with Jelly Bean. Send him a direct message via Twitter or LinkedIn.
-
Is it just me, or doesn't seem kind of crazy to require new hardware to support yet another AV codec that offers only slightly better compression and can be used without a license? Seems like an excuse to sell more devices.
-
Just another thing to kill, I'm not buying any more gooGle crap.
-
I can't see a reason they couldn't update the current Chromecast with this codec... This seems more like a less powerful, even more budget-friendly version to me. Although they may release more than one model.
-
Call me when it has more storage.
-
Just give me YTTV in 5.1 sound like you did for Samsung TV's and CCUltra. Why would anyone buy a 1080p version?
-
And don't charge me $20 a MONTH to have 4K on YTTV!