The Chromecast with Google TV, Google’s solution to transform a regular TV into a smart one, finally arrived in India in July. While users in the US and other countries had access to the device two years ago, Indians had a selection of devices from companies like Amazon, Realme, and Xiaomi. Google’s offering comes with a convenient interface layered on top of its Android TV operating system, bringing streaming services to the forefront and offering personalized recommendations. However, with its arrival in 2022, is it too late for the Chromecast with Google TV?
On the latest episode of the Gadgets 360 podcast Orbital, host Akhil Arora engages in a discussion with Senior Reviewer Ali Pardiwala, who recently reviewed the Chromecast with Google TV, and Senior Reviewer Sheldon Pinto. They delve into various aspects of Google’s latest streaming device’s debut in India, including its features and Google’s somewhat perplexing naming conventions for its software and hardware.
Distinguishing itself from its older Chromecast models, the Chromecast with Google TV is a streaming device equipped with its own operating system and a remote control. Google TV is essentially a user interface, or launcher, built on top of the Android TV platform, which is only found on specific devices. This differentiation could give it an advantage over other streaming devices that come with the standard Android TV OS. For instance, manufacturers like Xiaomi offer two launchers: the default Android TV launcher and the company’s PatchWall interface.
Ali highlights the superior recommendation system featured in the Google TV interface. These recommendations are visible across your subscribed services and are presented when you conduct a search. For example, if you search for a movie, it will display the most affordable and convenient ways to stream that content on your TV. Additionally, it will offer you the option to rent movies directly from Google TV if they are not available on your subscribed streaming platforms.
Although the Chromecast with Google TV was introduced globally in 2020, it only arrived in India in July of the current year. Ali points out that this isn’t necessarily a drawback, as streaming devices typically don’t require frequent upgrades. However, the delay in its Indian launch seems unnecessary, especially considering the missed sales opportunities during the early stages of the pandemic.
For more in-depth insights and discussions, you can listen to the full episode on the Spotify player provided above. If you’re new to the site, you can find the Gadgets 360 podcast Orbital on various platforms, including Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Gaana, JioSaavn, Spotify, and others.