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A recent leak revealed the design and name of the Google TV Streamer, the next-gen Chromecast product. Google is reportedly ditching the classic brand name in favor of Google TV. Now, a new report has revealed that the Google TV Streamer will feature an Ethernet port and other key specs.
The FCC reportedly received the device last week for certification. According to 9to5Google, the Google TV Streamer has the model number GRS6B, in line with what we’ve seen on products from the brand. They usually include “G” and four alphanumeric characters in the model number. The listing also includes a schematic showing the input and output ports on the set-top box.
The Google TV Streamer might be the first “Chromecast” with an Ethernet port
The schematic shows that, among all the Google TV Streamer ports, there’s an Ethernet port. This would be the first time a “Chromecast” device includes one, which is logical since previous models relied on the “dongle” format. Now, with the new set-top box design, there’s additional space for more components.
Interestingly, the device would also feature a Thread radio. This would allow it to take full advantage of the capabilities of the Matter standard for Smart Home ecosystems. The Google Pixel 9 series is also expected to feature Thread radios, making them the first Android devices to do so. It seems that Google wants to bet on this technology in favor of IoT setups with better performance.
Another welcome addition might be a USB-C port, enabling more possibilities for content transfer and peripheral connection. This would also make it easier to sideload APKs. On the other hand, there seems to be no UWB (Ultra-wideband), so it won’t support features like Pixel Tablet’s Tap to Cast. This is a shame, as the design of the product seems ideal to use the feature. There also doesn’t seem to be support for Wi-Fi 6 or 7, so you’ll only be able to use the classic dual-band 2.4GHz/5GHz.
Sadly, the FCC listing offers no details on the Google TV Streamer chip or RAM capacity. More key specs of the device will probably emerge in the coming days.