Chromecast with Google TV review: What a difference a remote makes

The original Chromecast that debuted in 2013 was a simple $35 dongle. But it was still notable, providing a cheap way to make any TV “smart.” Things have changed a lot since then, however. Not only do a lot of TVs now come with built-in apps, Roku and Amazon developed their own streaming sticks over the years — both of which have remote controls and visual menus for easy navigation. Google’s Chromecast soon seemed outdated by comparison. 

That’s no longer the case with the new “Chromecast with Google TV.” At long last, it has a remote control, plus a whole new interface that comes with the company’s Assistant built-in. Combine that with its support for 4K HDR and Dolby Vision, and I believe the new $50 Google Chromecast is not only the best Chromecast yet, but also one of the most value-packed streaming devices on the market. 

Instead of a stick, the new Chromecast has a similar design philosophy to the puck-like Chromecasts of 2015 and 2016. This time, however, it has a more of an oval pebble-like shape, with a smooth curved finish. On the back of it is a tiny reset button, which is similar to previous Chromecasts. It comes in three pastel shades — snow (white), sunrise (coral), and sky (blue). The colors don’t really matter all that much since the Chromecast will likely be behind your TV, but they do come with matching remote controls, so that’s something to consider. Even the included AAA batteries are color-coded to match, which I find amusing. 

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