Category: Technology

Words by Sam McNiece

Focusrite Australia | Inquire for pricing

The podcasting space has become one of the biggest growth areas over the past few years with a vast majority of streaming services now offering podcasts in addition to music. This growth has unleashed a wave of products that cater specifically to providing people with an affordable way to set up and achieve professional results for their podcasts.

In light of this virtual onslaught of content being generated, the market leaders in the affordable audio interface space, Focusrite, have released their Vocaster range, suited for this exact crossover between professional-sounding results and an affordable product aimed at entry-level podcasters. These new devices act as audio interfaces and a live podcasting solution with a bundled control software which claims to be the “easiest way to bring studio-quality sound to your podcast”. Let’s see how it stacks up.

Read more gear reviews here.

Connectivity wise, the Vocaster One features one XLR mic in, two TRS outputs, one headphone port, a TRRS input/output for connecting a phone, and a 3.5mm jack output, while the Vocaster Two features all this, plus an additional XLR microphone input, headphone port, and Bluetooth – both bus powered via USB-C. The top panel of these audio interfaces have a very clear layout featuring volume controls for headphone outputs, buttons for mute and enhance, alongside a button for activating the gain control for each input. There are very clear LED lights around the edges of the central knob which show the input level of each microphone input with a defined red section to see if you are clipping. Having all these buttons within arms reach is a blessing while you’re recording as you can conveniently mute while you’re flipping through paperwork or about to cough to create a better experience for the listener, and save time in post.

The small form factor of the Vocaster One and Two is impressive, packing all these connections and features into a compact enclosure makes them easy to travel with and will enable you to record your podcasts from just about anywhere you can find a quiet space. The buttons feel solid and the knobs smooth to the touch which is great news from this affordable audio interface, as this is where some of the cheaper products lack in.

The Vocaster One is best suited for individual hosts who sometimes have external guests join them remotely, while the Vocaster Two is better for an individual host who has guests in person, or a duo who always record podcasts together. Both feature flexible internal mixing via the Vocaster Hub and controls for certain features on the physical device.

Perhaps one of the best features of the Vocaster range is the accessible and functional control software which can be used to mix and control all features on the device. The aptly named Vocaster Hub gives you control of both microphone inputs independently including phantom power (48V), gain, mute, enhance – which functions as an all in one signal processor – and auto gain, in addition to a mixer which lets you mix all your audio sources in one place.

The microphone preamps boast 70dB of gain which is more than enough to get a decent level out of pretty much any broadcast mic you might already have or are looking to purchase. After setting your mic gain, you can try out one of the enhance presets to implement some EQ and compression at the touch of a button. The four presets available are clean, warm, bright, and radio, all with a unique sound character. For the budding podcaster with little experience in sound engineering or without a budget for a sound engineer, these presets will help elevate the quality of your podcast to new heights and add a consistency to your sound.

Say you have a friend wanting to call in and join your podcast live, the Vocaster range provides you with a few options to get there, not just one. You could connect your phone via Bluetooth (Vocaster Two only) and call them using whichever app you prefer, use the TRRS connection for the same effect, or you could use the loopback function on your computer to route audio from your favorite video conferencing software to and from the device. All three of these options can also be used to play other audio from their respective connected source, but because the Vocaster Hub features two loopback channels, this option would be best utilized for adding sound FX, controlling background music, and even playing pre recorded segments on your live podcast seamlessly from your computer.

The layout and design of both the Vocaster One, Two, and its control software make it a great choice for creating a live podcast without having the headache of running through a complex DAW, but its digital outputs can also be recorded for editing and mastering at a later date. The 10/14 channels available to route as you please include a mix-minus (basically the whole audio coming from the device but not the loopback channels) for adding a video guest so they don’t hear themselves echo, a show mix of all inputs, and independent channels for each input. Obviously this device can also be used as a standard audio interface with the DAW of your choosing for recording and sending audio to your studio monitors.

Overall, both of these interfaces feature quality Focusrite microphone preamps with digital functionality in the Vocaster Hub that’s easy to use and powerful enough to create professional-sounding podcasts with minimal time investment on the mixing process. For all those readers out there who have listened to Joe Rogan and thought, ‘I could do that’, these interfaces are a fantastic way to get your story out into the world with a price tag that won’t break the bank.

There’s a lot of flexibility on offer from these small form factor podcasting interfaces which will provide a solid foundation to kickstart your podcasting journey, or supplement the one you’ve already started.

Head to Focusrite for more information.

So, gameplay footage of the debut project being developed by contentious streamer Dr. Disrespect’s recently formed studio is now floating around online. Dubbed a “vertical extraction shooter” that the Doc has claimed will blow Call of Duty‘s engine outta the water, the NFT game,titled Deadropdoes have an intriguing premise but currently looks rough around the edges.

Midnight Society is the development house founded by Guy “Dr. Disrespect” Beahm, who previously worked as a level designer at Call of Duty studio Sledgehammer Games, and several other veteran AAA game makers. The studio has been working on Deadrop, previously called “Project Moon,” for a little while now. However, on July 29, videos of the game started circulating on Twitter and YouTube as early supporters of the game who were granted access to a tech demo beta began sharing their experiences. Videos of the beta, officially called a “snapshot” by Midnight Society, don’t have much to them. Playing out in first-person, they primarily show a soldier shooting their way through a couple of dimly-lit shooting ranges with an M16-style assault rifle while ascending what appears to be some sort of skyscraper.

Dr. Disrespect has revealed the name of his upcoming shooter ‘DEADROP’ and has called it “the world’s first vertical extraction shooter.”

Here’s a look at gameplay, looks like it’s just a firing range for now. pic.twitter.com/U1RWeeb0Dx

— Okami Games (@Okami13_) July 30, 2022

But the question remains: What even is this game? According to the Midnight Society’s website, Deadrop will be “the most community-focused, online PVP multiplayer experience the world has ever seen.” What it’s being billed as is more straightforward: an ascending battle royale rather than a sprawling one. Think Escape From Tarkov mixed with PUBG and you’ll get the idea. The premise seems to be that you’ll shoot your way through AI- and player-controlled enemies to be the first to reach the top of the tower for immediate extraction. This intrigues me. While I’m not the best FPS player out there — I mean, I A.M blind — I enjoy frantic firefights in smol spaces. The quick movements, the split-second decision-making, the racing heartbeat, the death. It’s a brief yet exhilarating moment, and if Deadrop can capture that frenzy, then this might be a solid battle royale.

However, what we’re looking at is pretty mid right now. of course, Deadrop is currently in development, so there’s plenty of time for Midnight Society to refine it. Still, the stiff animations, soft environments, and sluggish player movements aren’t mind-blowing. There’s certainly nothing here that blows Call of Duty‘s engine away, as Dr. Disrespect said the game would during a livestream a couple of months after Modern Warfare 2 was revealed, and I don’t even like CoD that much.

last month @DrDisrespect said that he could take a screenshot of his game right then and it “blows out anything from the CoD engine”.

He also said that he didn’t think anything he saw in the single player trailer for #ModernWarfare2 could match a screenshot from his game. pic.twitter.com/2ksSOlmM3e

— ModernWarzone (@ModernWarzone) July 30, 2022

You can’t forget about the NFTs that are attached to Deadrop, too. In fact, that’s the only way to play a snapshot of the game at the present moment: Buying a goddamn NFT. While that does taint my interest in what Midnight Society is building, the core idea is compelling enough for me to watch it closely. We’ll see what Deadrop becomes as development progresses.

With the recent updates in iOS 15, the on-device Siri feature is surprisingly consistent at doing on-device tasks like setting timers, alarms, reminders, and calling people. In fact, placing calls is something that Siri has always been good at, and it does an equally good job for cellular calls or FaceTime calls. Now, with a new feature in iOS 16, Siri can end calls for you, as well, all hands-free. This is really useful if you talk on the iPhone speakers a lot, or if you use wireless earphones like AirPods or Beats.

(note: This is an iOS 16 feature and is currently only available as a public beta. With the iOS 16 public release slated in the fall, it will be available to every compatible iPhone across the globe.)

Once you have iOS 16 installed, go to Settings > Siri & Search > Siri Call Hangup and enable the “Siri Call Hangup” feature. Now, say the wordsHey Siri, hang upto put a call to bed. Of course, the caller will also hear those words, which may seem a bit odd to them, but you can decide for yourself whether that small awkwardness is worth it for the hands-free convenience and freedom.

If you don’t see this feature in Settings, it might be because your device isn’t supported. According to Apple, only the iPhone 11 and above are supported. But older iPhones can use this feature along with AirPods and Beats earphones that support the Hey Siri feature. Initially, this feature is also limited to these seven languages: German, English, Spanish, French, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, and Cantonese.

While you’re in the Siri settings, take a look at our guide on annoying Siri settings that you should change for some peace and quiet.

At Gizmodo, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you’ll like it too. We have affiliate and advertising partnerships, which means we may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. BTW – prices are accurate and items in stock at the time of posting.

When it comes time to purchase a new laptop or accessory, it can be tough to navigate hundreds of deals in order to find the one that will give you the most bang for your buck. Over at eBay Australia, they have plenty of PC deals to explore, from gaming PCs to wireless mesh routers that will allow you to mix business with pleasure.

We’ll be updating this list often, so remember to bookmark this page so you can check back in regularly. Let’s dive in.

best laptop deals

There’s a reason why many PC users are upgrading from their regular laptops to gaming ones. Not only will you enjoy better graphics, speed and overall performance, but you’ll also have a powerful computer that will aid video editing or gaming, if you’re interesting in combining business with pleasure.

This Alienware M15 R6 gaming laptop also features superior cooling systems, which is ideal if you’re someone who sits all day, non-stop at your desk.

• HP Pavilion x360 14-inch 2-in-1 Laptop – now $778.99 (down from $980.94)
• Asus VivoBook 17 Laptop – now $1,449 (down from $1,799)
• GIGABYTE G7 Laptop – now $1,711 (down from $2,127)
• Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga G4 2-in-1 Laptop – now $1,363.95 (down from $2,308.95)
• Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 Laptop – now $928.99 (down from $1,619.99)
• Lenovo ThinkBook 14 Laptop – now $1,299 (down from $1,399)
• ASUS Laptop X515EA-BQ1549X 15.6″ Laptop – now $949 (down from $1,399)
• Razer Blade 14 – now $2,899 (down from $3,999)
• Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 15-inch (i7/16GB/512GB) – now $2,336.65 (down from $2,749)

Save an extra 20% on Dell and Alienware products using the promo code DE20LL:

Best monitor deals

A second screen is a great way to enlarge a small laptop display or work from one with a higher and better resolution.

This Dell 32-inch curved monitor is one of the best second screens you can score for your WFH set-up since it sports a 4k ultra-HD resolution that pairs crystal-clear clarity with fine detail. It’s an ideal monitor for streaming movies and can even support the speediest of gaming refresh rates thanks to its AMD TearFree technology.

Save an extra 20% on Dell and Alienware products using the promo code DE20LL:

Best keyboard deals

Are you looking for a fancy new mechanical gaming keyboard that will help you effortlessly take down your opponents?

Razer is one of our top picks for PC gaming accessories and they won’t disappoint. All of the options below feature customizable backlit keys, clicky mechanical switches and a couple come with a built-in ergonomic wrist rest.

Best mouse deals

This Onikuma CW902 wired gaming mouse was designed with accuracy and precision in mind. Ideal for FPS games, it features a flexible pointer that isn’t subject to delay thanks to its powerful and stable configuration.

Its eye-catching honeycomb design also happens to be anti-sweat, non-slip, breathable and comfortable – ideal for marathon gaming sessions or even a long day on the job.

Best headset deals

In need of a new wireless gaming headset? If longevity is your preference, you’ll be glad to hear the Razer Nari headset has a battery life that can last up to 16 hours. Of course, this gaming set also sports immersive, THX spatial audio and a super comfortable, cushiony fit. Just keep in mind it’s only compatible with PC or PlayStation consoles.

Other PC accessory deals

If you’re building your own PC, a graphics card is an essential component that will ensure a smoother picture during use. It’s especially important for those who intend to build a PC from scratch for gaming or video-editing purposes.

The GIGABYTE NVIDIA Geforce RTX 3060 graphics card sports an extended heatsink to optimize screen cooling by allowing air flow to pass easier and prevent overheating. Another cool feature is its RGB Fusion, which allows you to set any combination of lighting effects, such as a pulse or rainbow wave to really get your glow on.

Save an extra 20% on Alienware products using the promo code DE20LL:

Samsung Electronics released its Odyssey Neo G8, the world’s first 240Hz 4K gaming monitor. At CES 2022, it was awarded the Best of Innovation Award in the Gaming category, receiving recognition for its technological excellence. To explore the features of the world’s first and fastest gaming monitor, Samsung Newsroom takes you through an unboxing of the Odyssey Neo G8.

Samsung’s Odyssey Neo G8 Offers Enhanced Convenience With Matte Display, Ergonomic Stand and More

When you first open the box, the assorted parts, including the monitor, stand neck, stand base and power cable are the first things you see.¹

Installing the monitor is very simple.^two First, connect the stand base to the back of the product and fasten it with a screw. Then, connect the stand base to the stand neck and fasten the screw on the bottom. Then, put on the back cover and turn it clockwise. The monitor is now ready to be used.

Once assembled, the 32-inch curved shape of the monitor is eye-catching. The monitor has a 1000R curved VA panel, which is a curvature most similar to a human’s field of vision. This curvature intensifies immersion while gaming, making you feel as if you are really inside the world of the game.

The Odyssey Neo G8’s Matte Display was also verified as ‘Glare-Free’ by global safety certification company UL (Underwriters Laboratories), meaning its panel reduces light reflection. The display absorbs surrounding light so the user can enjoy an immersive gaming experience without being hindered by external elements, such as sunlight from windows.

Consoles and other gaming accessories can also be easily connected to the monitor. When the Odyssey Neo G8 is turned on, its Auto Source Switch+ feature automatically detects other devices and switches the screen to the source of those devices.

Plus, the monitor offers a Height Adjustable Stand (HAS), as well as Swivel and Tilt functionality for ergonomic efficiency and Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) compliant mounting.

Unrivaled Speed ​​With 0.001 Second Response Time and 240Hz Refresh Rate

The Odyssey Neo G8 boasts a fast response time of 1ms (0.001 second) (GtG),³ giving users a more vivid gaming experience when playing games that require fast response times. Games such as first-person shooters (FPS) and racing games change screens rapidly, and lag or slow response times could affect the outcome of the game. Luckily, the Odyssey Neo G8 keeps up with the pace and gives gamers the best chance to win the game.

Refresh rate, which measures how many times per second the display is able to show a new image, is also very important to gamers. The Odyssey Neo G8’s refresh rate of 240Hz provides a stable and smooth viewing experience.

The monitor also comes with Low Input Lag to enhance response time. Input Lag is an indicator that measures how long it takes for input from a keyboard or mouse to be shown on screen. The lower the input lag, the shorter the input time and the faster the response time. The Odyssey Neo G8 has a low input lag of 1ms, helping gamers play more accurately in games where every second matters.

The tearing effect is another factor that can determine the outcome of a game. This is when the screen lags and the display becomes choppy due to a communication issue between the PC and the monitor. The Odyssey Neo G8 supports AMD FreeSync Premium Pro which minimizes screen tearing and lag when playing CPU-intensive games, allowing users to enjoy smooth visuals when playing games.

An Upgraded Vivid Gaming Environment With Quantum Matrix, HDR 2000 and Amazing UHD Picture Quality

As the Odyssey Neo G8 is the world’s fastest 4K gaming monitor, it boasts a UHD resolution of 3,840 x 2,160. The UHD resolution enlivens the game by providing vivid graphics, making it seem as if the world of the game is right in front of your eyes.

The Odyssey Neo G8 also features Quantum Matrix Technology, which is Samsung’s proprietary technology that controls picture quality. Quantum Matrix uses Quantum Mini LEDs, which are 1/40 the height of conventional LEDs, as a light source for even more precise control of contrast. This technology clearly displays the contrast between the darkest shadows and brightest objects in scenes that utilize a wide spectrum of colors, such as explosion scenes, creating a more vivid gaming experience. It also prevents the halo effect, in which the light from a bright area on the screen bleeds into darker areas surrounding it.

The Quantum HDR 2000 utilized in the Odyssey Neo G8 delivers maximum brightness for a rich HDR experience. Specifically, it provides 4,096 steps for screen brightness adjustments and supports a high static contrast ratio of a million-to-one. Furthermore, the local dimming zone displays the color black more precisely. By capturing the reflected light of an enemy’s movement, the user can easily discover where the enemy is hiding and also notice the details hidden behind the shadows.

Superior Backlighting That Changes According to the Display Color

The lighting on the back of the monitor makes your gaming experience feel more futuristic. The Odyssey Neo G8 comes with the CoreSync lighting feature, in which the monitor automatically detects the color at the center of the display and syncs it to the color of the lighting on the back of the monitor. The monitor can display five different light colors, enabling gamers to enjoy a modern, sleek vibe while gaming. When gaming in a dark place, the CoreSync feature can blur the line between reality and the game, fully immersing the player in the experience.

Odyssey Neo G8 Leads the Premium Gaming Monitor Market

The monitor’s fast response time and vivid picture quality maximize the immersive experience users can feel while playing a game. These modern features also help gamers be successful during gameplay, making the Odyssey Neo G8 the ideal choice for gamers.

The Odyssey Neo G8 has received positive reviews and is being called the “Best Gaming Monitor” by global media outlets. Techaeris and Trusted Review have raved about the Odyssey Neo G8, stating that it “offers up a fantastic picture and a high refresh rate,” and provides a “stunning, immersive gaming experience.”

The gaming monitor industry has gone beyond simply providing nice screens for game-playing. Products offering highly advanced features, such as fast speed, high picture quality and more, are becoming increasingly more important as they help gamers perform their best. The Odyssey Neo G8 is the top monitor for serious gamers who want to be immersed in the game while experiencing the best in picture quality during gameplay.

¹ Accessories may vary by country or region.

^two Needs to be installed according to the instructions in the manual. Placing the curved panel alone on a desk or floor can cause damage to the product.

³ Gray to Gray. A unit of measurement of pixel speed. Used to measure the response time of gaming monitors.

Beleaguered multiplayer shooter Battlefield 2042which has not exactly been the success EA would have been hoping for, will take another step towards being an actual video game this week with the release of its next update.

While the game has been justifiably lambasted by fans (and non-fans) alike, I’ve always had a soft spot for it, partly because the stuff I like in a Battlefield game has been there since launch, but also because this game — developed partly during the worst months of the pandemic — was clearly nowhere near being done when publishers EA rushed it out the door.

Developers DICE have thus basically had to spend the months since launch…finishing the game, adding things like scoreboards and extra UI that under less hellish circumstances would just have made up part of the regular development process and been with Battlefield 2042 at launch.

The game’s Season One update made a lot of players happy because it simply dragged the game so much closer to what they would have expected in October 2021, and the 1.2 update — out tomorrow, August 2 — inches even closer.

It introduces some fixes for the game’s weakest map (Kaleidoscope), finally gives players a lifetime statistics page (letting you track stuff like your K:D ratio, games played, etc) and perhaps most noitceable, makes the first of a number of planned “Style and Tone” changes for the game’s Specialists.

Battlefield 2042’s Specialists, characters similar to those you’d pick in other shooters like, say, apex legendsare a first for the series, and have been pretty poorly received, not only for the changes they’ve made to the game’s structure (replacing traditional classes like Medic), but for the way their cocky swagger and corny one-liners were at odds with the game’s grim, climate apocalypse setting.

Dice’s first move to fix this was to simply shut them up, so that the characters no longer shouted catchphrases during the end-of-game roundups, but the next step here will be to make them all look a bit more appropriate for the setting. This means making them all just generally look more tired, dirty and haggard, and in the case of the male Specialists, giving them beards. And if they already had a beard, giving them more beard, and some extra wrinkles to boot. Here’s a look at the changes:

I like it, everyone does indeed look a bit more appropriate for the setting. I will say though, as someone who mains Mackay — for gameplay reasons, not aesthetic — I was hoping for a bit more of an improvement considering his original look (Guy Who Stans Elon Musk Under Tesla Car Reviews On YouTube) has now been turned into Guy Who Thinks Wrestling Is Too Woke Now.

The update will also introduce some other smaller nerfs and changes to gameplay, and you can read all about it here.

I’ve been looking forward to Monolith Soft’s next game since the last one ended in 2017, though not without my fair share of reservations. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 was a meandering JRPG with a hodgepodge of systems and extremely uneven storytelling. As much as I love the series, I was worried Xenoblade Chronicles 3 would be the same. So far, it’s not. It’s a first-party Nintendo Switch blockbuster that can hang with the rest of the library.

Five hours in, it feels like the most lush and balanced game in the series. The environments are sprawling but filled. Combat has plenty of layers to experiment with but none of them seem overly obtuse or overbearing. Your party’s roster is stocked with classic archetypes that stop short of cliché. And the music, responsible for sustaining momentum through long, grindy sections of a game like this, is as excellent as ever.

Given discussions about Xenoblade 3‘s gargantuan runtime and how it’s still tutorializing 10 hours in, my number one concern was pacing. The game wastes hardly any time getting going, however. You play as Noah, a member of the nation of Keves, who along with his comrades of him are locked in an existential struggle against the rival nation of Agnus. Both sides are indented to “flame clocks” inside giant mech bases called Ferronis that hoover up life energy from those failed in battle. People are born as children and only live 10 years, or less if they don’t take enough lives to feed the clock. It’s sort of like battle royale by way of Philip K. Dick.

Things start off with a big battle before quickly pivoting to otherworldly intrigue. Noah and his crew run into rival fighters from the opposing nation while on a reconnaissance mission only for both sides to be thrown into chaos after a mysterious old man tells them they’re all pawns in a larger plot. The next thing you know, cyborgs are fighting, characters are fusing together, and a party six characters deep is delivered into your hands to fight your way to the bottom of Xenoblade 3‘s secrets.

This all happens within the first couple hours. I spent most of my time before and after battling across fields, rivers, and mountain passes. Despite its heady premise and talkative ensemble, the heart of Xenoblade 3‘s gameplay remains classic JRPG grinding. Much of it can be accomplished on auto-pilot. Tougher battles against non-bosses are called out with special fonts over enemies’ heads denoting their extra power, better rewards, or both. And unlike in Xenoblade 2, the landscapes are once again generously peppered with collectible resources you can pick up merely by walking over them. No more stopping every five seconds to press a button prompt to discover extra pieces of crafting wood or cooking mushrooms.

Combat-wise, I’m still unlocking some of the core features, but customizing special attacks (called “Arts”) in battle and changing character classes open up pretty early. It’s easy to see how these interlocking systems, which include a certain level of mixing and matching of active and passive abilities, can lead to lots of satisfying tinkering in-between marquee boss fights. And while I was originally worried that having six party members on screen at once would make battles needlessly chaotic, being able to swap between them at will adds a level of welcome micromanagement to Xenoblade 3 that I’ve sorely missed in previous games (the user interface remains a nightmare).

My only real qualm is that the heavy tutorializing is sometimes overly explanatory and unskippable. Do I need the game to walk me through equipping a new piece of armor step-by-step? No. Similarly, I don’t need the characters chatting about various game systems to make them feel vaguely a part of the sci-fi world building. People are joining bodies and becoming cyborgs. Magical costume changes and young adults weidling giant swords is the least of my worries.

Fortunately, none of this gets too much in the way. I’ve spent the last couple of days really enjoying Xenoblade 3 while I was playing it and continually thinking about it when I wasn’t. That rarely happens for me these days. Especially when it comes to JRPGs. but for now, Xenoblade 3 has managed to combine some of my favorite elements from Monolith’s past games (mechs, cabals, free-flowing combat) with what’s been working so well in others. Namely the group of student fighters praising, questioning, and sniping at each other while trying to overthrow the powers that be and while keeping cringe to a minimum. It worked in person 5, Fire Emblem: Three Housesand, currently, it’s really working for me in Xenoblade 3. I’ve got several dozens more hours to go before I know whether the rest of the game measures up.

Chromecast with Google TV is the fourth generation media center launched in 2020. The device features support for Ultra HD (4K) resolution, Dolby Vision, and HDR. The new version of the dongle features compatibility with Google Assistant, personalized content for the user, and remote control with voice command.

The product is sold for US$49. Available in white, blue, and pink, the Chromecast with Google TV includes Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Check out the main specifications of the model’s datasheet below and see if it is worth importing it or buying it.

Chromecast with Google TV datasheet

	Chromecast with Google TV
release	October 2020
Official price	$49
maximum resolution	UHD(4K)
RAM	2GB
internal storage	8GB
Operating System	google tv
processor	Amlogic quad core Cortex A55
Supported video formats	Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+
connectivity	Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
remote control	And it is
Google Assistant	And it is
Dimensions	16.2 cm long, 6.1 cm wide, and 1.2 cm high
Weight	55g
Colors	white, blue, and pink

Design

The Chromecast with Google TV, launched in 2020, has gained a new look and presents a more modern design compared to its previous third-generation version. Available in white, blue, and pink, the device has a plastic housing and rounded edges. There is a short cable for connection to the TV. The dongle is 16.2 cm long, 6.1 cm wide, and 1.2 cm high in its dimensions and weighs only 55 g.

A highlight of the new media center is the presence of remote control, which follows the clean look of the device and is in the same color chosen for the dongle. The buttons allow content selection, interface navigation, volume adjustment, home, and return. There are also two shortcuts to open Netflix and YouTube. The big highlight is the unique button to launch the Google Assistant directly on the TV.

The dimensions of the Chromecast with Google TV remote are 12.2 cm long, 3.8 cm wide, and 1.8 cm high. The accessory weighs about 63 g. The device is Bluetooth compatible and can also control sound bars and TVs with HDMI-CEC. Power is supplied via two AAA batteries.

The Chromecast with Google TV features basic configurations that are present in competing media centers. Product specifications include a quad-core processor, 2 GB of RAM, and 8 GB of storage. The limited amount of memory to store content is perhaps one of the main sticking points of the device. This is because the device’s system shares the same storage location as the applications, which can restrict the user experience as more and more streaming apps are available.

Google’s media center has an HDMI connection to connect to the TV and a USB-C port to connect the device’s power cable. Also, in connectivity, you can find a Wi-Fi antenna (802.11ac), with support for the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands; and Bluetooth, which allows you to connect speakers, headphones, and other peripherals.

Google’s media center has compatibility with UHD (4K) resolution, which promises to deliver content with the better visual quality. However, to consume the content at maximum resolution, it is necessary to have a TV compatible with the format, HDCP 2.2 support, and a high-speed Internet connection of at least 20 Mb/s.

The video formats described in the product datasheet also include Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HDR10+. As well as the resolution, to consume movies and series in High Dynamic Range (HDR), it is necessary to have a TV that supports this format.

System

The datasheet for the fourth-generation Chromecast indicates that the device retains the Android TV operating system. The difference is the Google TV software, which runs on the system, at first in version 10. With this, the dongle promises a new interface that organizes movies and TV shows on the same screen based on the active streaming services, without the need to switch between apps. In addition, it is possible to receive personalized recommendations based on subscriptions and viewing history.

Users can also mirror content from their smartphone, laptop, or tablet directly to the TV. But the main highlight of Google TV is the compatibility with Google Assistant. Using the remote control with voice commands, users can ask the virtual assistant for directions to movies, or series or ask to play a playlist in music apps.

Features and content

The Google media center is a device that extends the functionality of the TV. With the dongle, you can access various streaming services for series, movies, and music. In addition, you can also play games with Google Stadia, the company’s game streaming service, and view photos from the Google Photos gallery directly on your TV screen.

The Chromecast with Google TV features the main video streaming apps used by users, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Pluto TV, and Apple TV+. On the audio side, you can find options such as Spotify, Tidal, and YouTube Music. In addition to TV, the media center features apps from Facebook, Twitch, Tastemade, Google Photos, and Google Meet.

Another differentiator of the Chromecast with Google TV is the compatibility with other smart devices. With Google Assistant and the remote control with voice commands, it is possible to turn the device into a control center to control other smart devices in the home.

Price and Availability

The Chromecast with Google TV is available for purchase in the market. The product has a suggested retail price of US$49.