“Sabrina” Is Google’s New Android TV Dongle Coming This Summer
Last updated June 21, 2021
- The first leaks of Google’s upcoming Android TV dongle appeared online.
- Not everything has been revealed, but it looks like it’s going to be a big upgrade over the previous generations.
- The device will also come with dedicated remote control for more comfortable interaction.
According to rumors that appeared on the XDA Developers forums, Google is soon to launch a new piece of hardware code-named “Sabrina.” This will be the successor to the Chromecast Ultra, and it’s going to be a big upgrade over the previous generations. Whereas Chromecast Ultra was just a regular Chromecast with Ethernet connectivity and 4K playback support, the “Sabrina” dongle will bring many new things to the table. One of the key differences is that a dedicated TV remote will be included in the package, allowing users to control the device by using a comfortable and “classic” device.
Source: xda-developers.com
There are renders of the device that showcase a design differentiation compared to the previous generations. The dongle looks more “oval” and could be more voluminous in general. This could make space for capable hardware, which should be the case for the next generation. Additionally, we now see more color options, like a light pink version that wasn’t available in the previous models. Besides that, and the appearance of a sandstone-like texture, nothing else can be deduced with certainty.
Source: xda-developers.com
On the technical side of the device, we know that there will be support for Dolby Vision based on an Amlogic SoC, but other than that, no details have been revealed. As for the cost of the new TV dongle from Google, this is also unknown, but experts in the field believe it will be around $80. This puts it at $11 above the Chromecast Ultra cost, which is expected to remain available in the market.
Along with all that, came leaks on the new Android TV user interface that is to be introduced this summer. The UI looks more content-focused than before, with an auto-scrolling carousel featuring recommended titles taking a prominent central position. Moreover, there will be a higher level of integration with Google Nest, fetching alerts from doorbells and video cameras right on the TV. Finally, the Assistant’s role will also be upgraded, while YouTube TV will be integrated into the “Live” tab now.
Source: xda-developers.com
If all of this is proven to be valid, the upcoming TV dongle by Google is going to be a real upgrade over the previous generations of the Chromecast. That said, we wouldn’t buy a Chromecast right now, at least not until Sabrina is revealed, and we know its specs and pricing. There’s plenty of competition like the Nvidia Shield TV stick, Xiaomi’s Mi TV stick, Roku Ultra, and the Fire TV Stick, but none of them will have the Google Nest integration that will come with “Sabrina.”
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