Google kills the Chromecast, introduces the Google TV Streamer for both video streaming and Smart Home control

Google TV Streamer

Google has just announced the Chromecast media streamer would be phased out, introducing instead the Google TV Streamer for both TV streaming and the Smart Home with not only gigabit Ethernet, WiFi 5, and Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity, but also Matter support and Thread border router function. The Android TV device comes with 4GB RAM and 32GB eMMC flash, an HDMI 2.1 port supporting up to 4Kp60, and a USB-C port for power and data. A voice remote control is also included, and the solution is not integrated with the Smart Home allowing users to connect to locks and motion sensors through Thread/Matter, monitor their security camera systems, and more. Google TV Streamer specifications: CPU – Not disclosed, but allegedly the MediaTek MT8696 quad-core Arm Cortex-A55 processor @ 1.8 GHz, Imagination GE9215 GPU @ 750MHz as found in the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max is used here. System Memory – […]

MECOOL KM7 Plus runs Google TV OS on Amlogic S905Y4 SoC

MECOOL KM7 PLUS Google TV box

MECOOL KM7 Plus is a TV box powered by an Amlogic S905Y4 quad-core Cortex-A35 processor and running Google TV OS based on Android 11 TV OS, instead of just the more common Android 11 TV OS. Amlogic S905Y4 quad-core Cortex-A35 processor was first unveiled in January 2021 for 4K Android TV dongles with AV1 support, but we had not seen many hardware platforms with the process apart from Khadas VIM1S SBC for which we just published a review with Ubuntu 22.04. MECOOL KM7 PLUS specifications: SoC – Amlogic S905Y4 quad-core Arm Cortex-A35 @ up to 2.0 GHz with Arm Mali-G31 MP2 GPU System Memory – 2 GB LPDDR4-2400 Storage – 16 GB eMMC flash, micro SD slot Video Output HDMI 2.1 up to 4K @ 60 Hz with HDR10+, HRD10, HLG, CEC, HDCP 2.2/2.3 AV port with compositive video (and analog audio) Video Decoder H.265, AV1, VP9, AVS2 up to […]

Chromecast with Google TV (HD) features Amlogic S805X2 CPU with AV1 video support

Chromecast with Google TV HD

Google has launched the new Chromecast with Google TV (HD) powered by an Amlogic S805X2 quad-core Cortex-A35 CPU that offers a cheaper alternative to the Chromecast with Google TV (4K) that is limited to 1080p60 resolution, instead of the 4Kp60 video output supported by the Amlogic S905X3 model. While the processor is slower, the system comes with less memory (1.5GB vs 2GB), and only supports 1080p60, it supports the more efficient AV1 video decoding and as well as A/B partitions for seamless updates since the firmware does not need to be downloaded to the internal storage before the Chromecast with Google TV (HD) specifications: SoC – Amlogic S805X2 quad-core Cortex-A35 processor with Mali-G31 MP2 GPU, 1080p60 H.265, H.264, VP9, AV1 video decoder System Memory  – 1.5GB RAM Storage – 8GB eMMC flash with support for “virtual A/B updates with compression“ Video output – HDMI up to 1080p60 with HDR support […]

Google Chromecast with Google TV Runs Android TV OS, Ships with a Remote Control

Chromecast with Google TV

When Google Chromecast first launched in 2013, it was based on a stripped-down version of ChromeOS and was meant to be used controlled via your Android phone, iPhone, Windows PC, or Mac computer to stream audio and video, and even more recent versions like Chromecast Ultra were not standalone media players. But Google’s “Chromecast with Google TV” changes all that as it’s based on Android TV OS and supports all 6,500 apps designed for the operating systems, and ships with a remote control to playback videos from YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, and other apps without the need for your phone or a computer, although it still support all existing Chromecast features. Chromecast with Google TV hardware specifications: SoC – Quad-core processor @ 1.8GHz with ARM Mali-G31 MP2 GPU, likely Amlogic S905X2 or even S905Y2 since there’s no Ethernet. [Update: It’s Amlogic S905D3 according to a screenshot provided by Android TV rumors.] […]

Marvell Unveils ARMADA 1500 Plus (88DE3108) SoC for Android and Linux Smart Video Platforms

Building on top of it ARMADA 1500 SoC for Google TV, Marvell has recently announced the ARMADA 1500 Plus (88DE3108) HD secure media processor SoCdesigned for smart video products based on Android 4.2.2, and Linux, such as media players, OTT boxes, hybrid set-top boxes and smart TVs. ARMADA 1500 Plus features two ARM Cortex A9 cores, Vivante GC1000 and GC300 GPUs, respectively for 3D and 2D graphics,  and integrates an HDMI receiver and Gigabit Ethernet. Hisense will be among the first to use the platform with the upcoming H6 Smart TV and Pulse Pro set-top-box, but details have yet to be released for these two products. Here are the key features of 88DE3108 SoC: Processor – Dual core Cortex A9 with over 6000 Dhrystone MIPS Dedicated 3D and 2D graphics acceleration – dual threaded unified shader (Vivante GC1000 and GC300) with support for OpenGL ES 1.1/2.0 and DirectFB. Video vMeta […]

NSZ-GU1, Sony’s Next Google TV Box will be an HDMI TV Stick

Since 2010, Sony has been working on Google TV device, and last year they announced Sony NSZ-GS7, a Google TV 2.0 set-top box. This year, nothing have been announced yet, but a few pictures of a new device have shown up in the FCC site. Sony NSZ-GU1 will be some sort of HDMI TV stick that you insert into your TV, except it looks more like a small set-top box has been glued onto an HDMI TV dongle. Here are the specifications derived from the FCC fillings and pictures: SoC- Marvel 88DE3108-A1 dual core processor (Marvell Armada 1500). System Memory – 1GB RAM Storage – 4GB NAND Flash (Toshiba THGBM5G5, If I’ve read correctly) Video I/O – HDMI output (MHL) 720p/60, micro HDMI input  720p/60 Connectivity – 802.11b/g/n WiFi (AzureWave AW-NH390), Bluetooth 3.0 USB – 1x micro USB port (for power only?) Misc – IR Blaster Power – 5V via […]

Asus Cube Google TV Unboxing and Demo Video

The Asus Qube, featuring Google TV 3.0 supporting, was first unveiled at CES 2013. Since then the device has lost its “Q”, has been renamed to Asus Cube, and is now available for pre-order in the US for $139.99 in Newegg, a bit earlier than initially planned (Q3 2012), but slightly more expensive than the $130 we were told to expect in January. The device will start to ship on 24th of April. First, just a quick reminder of the specs. Asus Cube is based on Marvell Armada 1500 Google TV platform, features HDMI out (for TV), HDMI in (for satellite or cable receiver), 2x USB ports, a IR blaster port and provides both Ethernet and Wi-Fi 802.11n connectivity. The Cube is a cube (duh!) measuring about 12.44 cm on each side. Newegg has uploaded a 21 minutes video discussing about the device with an Asus representative, describing the accessories […]

Asus Qube Google TV 3.0 STB Hands-On Video

Asus announced the Qube at CES 2013 with a rather laconic press release: Qube with Google TV – Bring the world of entertainment to your TV Instantly add Google TV to your HDTV with the ASUS Qube. Qube with Google TV offers both motion control and voice search that integrates Google Play, Chrome™, YouTube™in one compact device. With access to over 100,000 movies and TV shows* from Netflix and Amazon Instant Video, plus numerous apps, videos and games from Google Play, ASUS Qubewith Google TV is the perfect media content device. ASUS has developed the unique Qube interface, which displays functions via a rotating on-screen cube shape. The advanced remote control supports motion sensing for gaming and other applications. Customers can also control Qube with Google TV from their Android smartphones and tablets using the Mobile Remote app, available through Google Play. ASUS includes 50GB of WebStorage cloud space with […]

UP 7000 x86 SBC