Chromecast with Google TV (HD): The competition Yes, you can uninstall the app manually, but at the very least, a screen during the setup process asking whether we wanted to have it installed or not would have been enough. But when you have a streaming device that's already hurting when it comes to storage, pre-installing apps doesn't make much sense. Maybe there's some undocumented partnership between Google and TikTok. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, I was pretty shocked to see TikTok pre-installed on the Chromecast with Google TV (HD). I'm sure there are workarounds to this, but I would much prefer Google to let us do it from the built-in Settings app instead. With the plethora of streaming services out there, I would have liked to see the Netflix shortcut button replaced with a customizable one. While I absolutely adore the included remote, which will also likely work seamlessly to control your TV, I do wish Google would make a slight tweak. It's a deep library that we would recommend exploring.(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central) There are also music apps like Spotify, Amazon Music, and Tidal. All4 is also conspicuously absent from Google TV.Įverything else you'd expect to see is here, from Netflix and Prime Video to Disney+ and a whole load of kids' apps, lifestyle apps, and more besides. This is more of a problem with the release of Sky Stream. You can still cast from the NOW TV app on mobile, but it's an extra step that feels laborious when everything else has been brought together so well. One big service missing in the UK is NOW TV, an alternative to Sky that many have come to rely on. It's so detailed that you could get lost just navigating similar series and shows, adding old favorites to your watchlist, and discovering new gems. If we then select Alexis Bledel from the cast list, we are served other content that the actress is featured in, from Gilmore Girls on Netflix to The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants on Prime. The details page has impressive detail and navigation features, which might be our favorite aspect of the platform.įor example, if we navigate to The Handmaid's Tale, it will bring up all of the places it is available to view, the cast and crew, and related YouTube content. You can add something to your watchlist, mark it as 'seen,' 'liked,' or 'disliked,' and view more details. Press and hold on any show or movie, and options will appear. Like many other smart TV platforms, your watchlist can contain anything from the streaming services supported. There are separate tabs for TV, movies, apps, and your library, which brings up shows and movies that you've added to your watchlist as well as those you've purchased through YouTube or Google TV. We also really like having new videos and recommendations from our YouTube account bundled with everything else, bringing those cooking videos, music, and movie trailers into the mix when choosing something to watch. The top line after logging in is recommendations which, based on what it served to us after a few weeks, are fairly accurate to our real tastes. The Google TV interface is excellent, with enough content to scratch that scrolling itch but not enough to overwhelm you. (Image credit: Google) Chromecast with Google TV: performance We used this as a way to display seasonal photos and artwork through the months, transforming our TV into something more decorative when we weren't actively viewing something. You can choose images from your Google Photos to display on the Chromecast screensaver and customize when this appears. The wheel at the top of the remote contains your 'enter' and directional buttons, followed by 'back,' 'Google Assistant,' 'home,' 'mute,' 'YouTube,' and 'Netflix.' Then down the bottom, you will find controls for power and input. The buttons are also clearly labeled, so you won't be left guessing. It also matches well with other Nest products, like its smart speakers and even the Nest Video Doorbell. It's an effective combination and is a far cry from the plain black of the original models. The Chromecast with Google TV 4K comes in three color variations - Sky, Sunrise, and Snow.Įach features one hue for the main body of the remote and another complementary one for the Google Assistant button and Chromecast dongle. Google has redesigned its streaming device many times over the years, starting off with a clunky dongle and now having had the ultimate glow-up for the latest generation. (Image credit: Google) Chromecast with Google TV: design
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