The Google TV Streamer represents a major change in Google’s media streaming strategy, as the company has effectively discontinued the Chromecast brand after its successful eleven-year run and 100 million units sold. We won’t get into the weeds too much here since we’ve discussed the Chromecast’s legacy at length in the past, but let’s just say for many of us, the Chromecast was our first taste of the future of TV streaming. It allowed us to suddenly access our shows, movies, and even some games on our TV by simply casting the experience over to the big screen from our phones.
That’s why I was immediately taken aback when I heard Google was axing the Chromecast branding with its new streaming device. Still, the Chromecast brand had shifted away from its roots, and so part of me also felt a rebrand made a lot of sense, even if I’m not a fan of the new name at all. I’ll admit Google TV Streamer is an apt description, but it’s also very generic and… meh.