Did The FCC Just Reveal Google’s Next Streaming Dongle?

Did The FCC Just Reveal Google’s Next Streaming Dongle?

Google’s Chromecast devices are handy (and cheap) little dongles for anyone who wants to add streaming functionality to their TV. But since the Chromecast Ultra came out in the spring of 2016, there haven’t been any new Google-branded additions to the family.

Image: Google via FCC

However, a new device filed with the FCC appears to have exposed Google’s plans. Manufactured by Shenzen SEI Robotics Co Ltd, the device is described as a 4K ATV Stick. Based on the internals, which include a quad-core Amlogic S905X processor, 2GB of RAM, 8GB of storage, and support for 4K video at 60 fps, it isn’t a big stretch to say that ATV may actually be short for Android TV.


As a platform, Android TV devices come with built-in Chromecast functionality so you can stream a website or video from a compatible nearby device to your TV, while also supporting standalone Android TV streaming media apps such as Netflix, which are slightly customised versions of traditional Android apps designed to look and function better on big-screen TVs.

Did The FCC Just Reveal Google’s Next Streaming Dongle?
Image: Google via the FCC

Image: Google via the FCC

As with previous Chromecast devices, this mysterious device plugs into and hangs off the side of your TV using the attached HDMI 2.0 port. However, the new device seems to have one new trick older Chromecast device’s didn’t: Support for Google Assistant voice controls via a mic built into its remote.

In some ways, the addition of the Google Assistant turns the ATV Stick into kind a stripped down Nvidia Shield without all the game streaming stuff that pushes the Shield’s price to $US180 ($233). While it isn’t clear if this device will support HDR, and it isn’t known how much it will cost, with Google’s I/O developer conference coming up shortly in early May, there’s a good chance we’ll get some concrete info pretty soon.


The Cheapest NBN 50 Plans

It’s the most popular NBN speed in Australia for a reason. Here are the cheapest plans available.

At Gizmodo, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like 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.