Google this week introduced the Google TV Streamer as a alternative for the Chromecast, setting its sights on immediately rivalling the Apple TV 4K, so how do the 2 gadgets examine?
Basically, the Google TV Streamer is designed with a deal with deep integration with Google’s ecosystem together with companies like Google Pictures, YouTube, and Google Assistant. It’s also positioned as a sensible dwelling hub, supporting Matter and Thread protocols to regulate a variety of good dwelling gadgets.
In distinction, the Apple TV 4K is deeply embedded inside Apple’s ecosystem, offering entry to companies reminiscent of Apple Arcade and Apple Music, with help for options like HomeKit and AirPlay. Its compact, black puck design permits it to mix effortlessly into most dwelling leisure setups, whereas providing highly effective efficiency with the A15 Bionic chip.
Whereas each gadgets help 4K decision and superior HDR codecs, they differ of their storage choices, connectivity options, and extra functionalities. The Google TV Streamer emphasizes an AI-powered consumer expertise with customized content material suggestions and generative AI screensavers, whereas the Apple TV 4K gives ecosystem benefits like Apple Arcade and Health+ for a extra built-in Apple expertise. The entire key variations between the 2 gadgets are listed under:
| Google TV Streamer | Apple TV 4K |
|---|---|
| Designed to sit down in entrance of the TV, with a noticeable design supposed to mix with dwelling decor | Compact, black puck design that may be simply hidden or built-in into a house leisure system |
| 6.4″ x 3.0″ x 1.0″ | 3.66″ x 3.66″ x 1.2″ |
| Weighs 5.7 ounces | Weighs 7.3 ounces (Wi-Fi) Weighs 7.5 ounces (Wi-Fi + Ethernet) |
| Google TV (Android TV) | tvOS |
| Google Assistant | Siri |
| Google House, Thread, and Matter | HomeKit, Thread (Wi-Fi + Ethernet), and Matter |
| SDR video, Dolby Imaginative and prescient, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG | SDR video, Dolby Imaginative and prescient, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG, HEVC, H.264, MPEG-4, HDMI Fast Media Switching |
| Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos | HE-AAC, AAC, Protected AAC, MP3, Apple Lossless, FLAC, AIFF, WAV, AC-3 Dolby Digital 5.1, E-AC-3 Dolby Digital Plus 7.1, Dolby Atmos |
| Aggregates content material from numerous streaming companies and presents customized suggestions | Apple TV app aggregates content material from numerous companies and gives a unified watchlist |
| AI-powered content material options and generative AI screensavers | |
| Deep integration with Google companies like Google Pictures, YouTube, and Google Assistant. Helps casting from Android gadgets | Deep integration with Apple ecosystem, together with Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple Music, and AirPlay for casting from iOS gadgets |
| Improved processor, 22% sooner than earlier Chromecast | A15 Bionic chip |
| HDMI 2.1, Bluetooth 5.1, Gigabit Ethernet, Thread, USB-C | HDMI 2.1, Bluetooth 5.0, Infrared, Gigabit Ethernet (Wi-Fi + Ethernet), Thread (Wi-Fi + Ethernet) |
| 32GB storage | 64GB storage (Wi-Fi) 128GB storage (Wi-Fi + Ethernet) |
| Assist for exterior storage and flash drives | |
| Voice Distant with customizable button, textured again, and distant finder | Siri Distant with contact floor, quantity management on face, and distant finder |
| Obtainable in Hazel (Google Retailer unique) and Porcelain | Obtainable in Black solely |
| $99.99 | $129 (Wi-Fi) $149 (Wi-Fi + Ethernet) |
| Releases September 24, 2024 | Launched November 4, 2022 |
Selecting between the Google TV Streamer and the Apple TV 4K in the end depends upon your particular wants and the ecosystem you’re already invested in. For these deeply built-in into the Google ecosystem, the Google TV Streamer is clearly the only option. It’s designed to work seamlessly with Google companies like Google Pictures, YouTube, and Google Assistant, making it superb for customers who depend on these platforms. It additionally helps playback from exterior storage gadgets. The system’s help for Matter and Thread protocols additionally makes it a robust contender for these with a sensible dwelling setup. Moreover, its AI-powered content material suggestions and generative AI screensavers present a personalised and fashionable consumer expertise.
Alternatively, the Apple TV 4K is ideal for customers who’re closely entrenched within the Apple ecosystem. With seamless entry to Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple Music, FaceTime, and AirPlay, this system is tailor-made for individuals who use Apple gadgets and companies. The A15 Bionic chip ensures wonderful efficiency, making it appropriate for customers who require a very strong system for streaming and lightweight gaming. The Apple TV 4K’s compact design permits it to suit discreetly into any dwelling leisure setup, and its integration with HomeKit, Matter, and Thread makes it a robust alternative for these seeking to handle their good dwelling gadgets by means of Apple’s ecosystem.
Every system has distinctive strengths that cater to barely totally different consumer wants primarily based on ecosystem. In the end, in case your major concern is deep integration with Google companies and a deal with good dwelling connectivity, the Google TV Streamer is the way in which to go. Conversely, in case you are searching for a tool that provides highly effective efficiency and intensive entry to Apple companies, the Apple TV 4K will likely be your greatest wager.