Google unveils an Amazon Fire Stick rival with AI integration – but fans cry it is ‘killing off’ beloved device
GOOGLE has unveiled an Amazon Fire TV Stick rival – but customers are blasting the company for “killing off” yet another beloved creation.
After over a decade of manufacturing the Chromecast, Google‘s first streaming device, it appears the chapter has come to a close.
The tech giant announced in a post on Tuesday that it would be halting production of the device.
“The time has now come to evolve the smart TV streaming device category — primed for the new area of AI, entertainment and smart homes,” the company wrote.
With the news came the introduction of the Google TV Streamer, a $99.99 streaming box styled as Chromecast’s successor.
The company promises better integration with Google TV, the flagship streaming service that offers over 800 free channels plus subscriptions like Netflix, Hulu, and Max.
The aptly named Google TV Streamer will be available for purchase starting September 24, but the company is offering a sneak peek.
The device boasts features meant to simplify more than just the streaming experience.
One touch of a remote button launches the Google Home panel, offering easy access to smart home devices and cameras.
Of course, the company has left room for artificial intelligence as it continues its push to integrate Gemini AI into every new release.
The virtual assistant can provide “full summaries, reviews, and season-by-season breakdowns of content.”
There is also an option to use generative AI to create screensavers that appear when the TV is idle.
Those who don’t want to buy into the AI craze can showcase their Google Photos, turning the device into a personalized picture frame.
The streaming box is designed to sit beneath a television and comes in two colors: white and a slate gray shade exclusively available online.
The company promises improved streaming quality and faster processing speeds to overcome Chromecast’s common pitfalls.
However, some customers are frustrated that Google has done away with the beloved device in favor of a newer model.
The tech behemoth has a sour reputation among its fans for ‘killing off’ products, including those with a loyal following.
Fans decried the news on X, formerly Twitter.
“The Chromecast was perfect. Now we’ll get stuck with a device that has to be replaced every few years ’cause it loses OS and app support,” one fan raged.
“Noooo, I plug these things into everything. They’re so convenient,” another fan lamented.
Some fans were left in disbelief. “They can’t do that,” one wrote, seemingly at a loss for words.
The Chromecast isn’t the first product Google has thrown in the discard pile this year.
Speaking of Google TV, the company revealed last month that users would no longer be able to purchase shows directly through the service.
The company also recently announced that links produced through its defunct link-shortening service, goo.gl, will stop working in 2025.
In June, VPN by Google One met a grim end. The virtual private network provided users with an extra layer of security by encrypting their internet traffic.
The Google graveyard - highlights
VPN by Google One – the virtual private network service encrypted users’ data and network activity and allowed them to mask their IP address. (2020-2024)
Google Podcasts – the podcast hosting platform doubled as an Android podcast listening app. (2018-2024)
Google Stadia – the cloud gaming service allowed users to stream gameplay through web browsers, TV, mobile apps, and Chromecast. (2019-2023)
YouTube Originals – the Google-owned company shuttered the program, which produced original content including scripted series, educational videos, and more. (2016-2022)
Google Hangouts – the cross-platform instant messaging service posed as a challenger to Microsoft’s Skype. (2013-2022)
YouTube Go – the app was aimed at making YouTube more accessible on mobile devices in emerging markets, with features like downloading video on Wi-Fi to view later. (2017-2022)
Google Duo – the video calling app allowed users to call anyone from their contact list. (2016-2022)
Cameos on Google – the tool allowed public figures to record video responses to the most common questions asked about them, which would display in Google Search results. (2018-2022)
Backup and Sync – the desktop software tool for Windows and macOS enabled users to sync files from Google Drive to their local machine. (2017-2021)
Google My Maps – the Android application allowed users to create custom maps for personal use or sharing on their mobile device. (2014-2021)