Google’s next Chromecast Ultra will run Android TV and have a remote

#1

Late to the game, but it’s coming …

When I was considering to get a Smart TV Stick, Google Chromecast was a good choice but lacking a dedicated remote and not having it’s own streaming apps made me select a Fire TV 4K instead of this.

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#2

Oh good, one more thing to lose, and batteries.

Occam’s Razor predict people’s phones being the remote will win, one device you keep and it does everything.

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#3

Well, it’s good and bad. Sometimes you need a remote :wink:

#4

Chromecast is easily my least used device and last option for streaming… Needing remote for everything makes it a no-go for me.

Google had a great chance to capture the market by simply throwing in a simple remote, and they cared less.

Result – Roku still the leader, Fire TV next, Google Android lagging somewhere at 3rd place

#5

I have phone apps to control my devices.
Its useful from a settings perspective but not as convenient when it comes to quickly changing the volume, even if the app is in the previously open apps list.
As a compromise i have set up my AV amp remote to control many general device settings so generally i only need to have 2 remotes on hand, the AV remote and the video source remote.

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#6

I have a firestick, Google Chromecast and 2 smart TVs, I think I’m covered for right now lol

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#7

how do you like the SmartTV features / application compared to FireTV?

I have Vizio and don’t really like the smart features and interface, bought it only for it’s 4K HDR features … that was the reason for having separate Roku and Fire TV devices

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#8

Well interface wise I think they are both ok. I do think the Firetv ui needs a face lift, looks outdated to me compared to my tv.
However, I have noticed that my tv (LG 2016 or so) stutters here and there when switching inputs to streaming apps or vice versa.

#9

I have a 5 year old Vizio 4K Smart TV. I hate the Smart feature. Very rarely use it: only for Amazon Prime as it will do 4K.

I have a Google Chromecast Ultra hooked up to the Vizio. I use it mostly with Google Home. “Hey Google, play the latest episode of Shark Tank.” Or “Hey Google, play the LA Lakers game” when we still had NBA. I can also tell Google to turn the TV on or off. I love controlling the TV with my voice, although Google Home still needs a lot of improvement.

Since the Chromecast didn’t have a remote, I got used to not having one. But I too would prefer having a remote so that I can browse ON the TV. At least this gives customers the option of using the remote or using the smartphone to control the Chromecast.

My friend recently bought an LG 4K Smart TV (do we really need to say 4K or Smart anymore? they’re pretty much all 4K and smart, right?). The UI is pretty slick. All the typical apps are installed (Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, etc.). The only downside is that you cannot turn the TV on with voice. You can turn it off with voice though.

#10

I have Chromecast and really enjoy it but my new Sony TV also have Chromecast built-in and I can’t distinguish the two. They both stream quickly and the picture is identical.

With TVs already having this supported inside, not sure it makes sense to get this new release.

But my favorite way to stream is with the Roku Ultra.

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#11

The main reason I stopped using Chromecast was the lack of remote (well, mainly the fact that I couldn’t link it to my all-in-one remote). This would be a welcomed change!