Google announced its new Google TV Streamer player today. Along with a new design and greater focus on smart home capabilities, the new streaming player also features a new Voice Remote. While the remote looks very similar to the previous one, there are some notable improvements.
For those upgrading to the Google TV Streamer from a Chromecast with Google TV, one of the first things they might notice is that the new remote no longer wobbles when it is placed on a flat surface. Google says this is thanks to a refining of the curvature of the remote. The refinement, along with a new textured back, also makes the remote feel better in the hand.
The remote is also slightly longer now and the button layout has changed, with both of these adjustments designed to further improve ergonomics and optimize the experience.
The longer length, for example, has allowed for volume up and down buttons to be added to the front (instead of the side). The Home and voice buttons have also now changed places, and the mute button has moved to the left column.
New Customizable Button And Find My Remote Support
The new remote also features a new customizable button, which does exactly what it sounds like. Unlike the previous remote, the customizable button can be used for pretty much any purpose chosen by the user, including setting it to open a streaming app, switch inputs or launch the Google Home panel.
Due to the size of the remote, the old version can be prone to getting lost. To help fix this issue, Google had added Find My Remote support.
In times when the remote is lost, users can simply press a button on the back of the Google TV Streamer and the remote will respond from its hiding place with a chime. Alternatively, users can ask any Google Assistant-enabled speaker (or a Pixel phone) to find the remote and it will chime from its location.
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