A report from back in March claimed that Google was working on a new Chromecast device with Android TV, and now some more info on that mystery product has leaked out.
Google is said to be working on a dongle that'll look similar to a Chromecast but with Android TV software, meaning you won't need your phone to watch content like you do with a Chromecast. Sources speaking to Protocol say that the device will ship with its own remote and that it may be launched under the Nest brand.
This new device will allow you to install apps from the Play Store and will have Google Assistant integrated into the remote.
Google's upcoming streaming device is expected to be the first to launch with a new version of Android TV. This update is said to include a refreshed user interface meant to highlight movies and TV shows rather than apps, and sources have said that it's similar to Amazon's Fire TV home screen.
Today's report goes on to say that Google has been aiming to launch its new streaming device this summer but that those plans could change due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. As for pricing, it's rumored that Google could ask at or below $80 for the device.
We heard yesterday that Google may rename Android TV to Google TV, and a new streaming device and refreshed software could be a good way for Google to celebrate that rebranding. It's been a while since we've seen Google launch dedicated Android TV hardware — the Nexus Player was discontinued in mid-2016 — and this new streaming device plus an updated Android TV interface could help make Google more competitive in the set-top box market.