Google Chromecast

The new Google Chromecast is fast and intuitive, but the attractive little dongle is behind the times.

Google doesn’t seem to be making a big deal about the new Chromecast, and now that I’ve tested the product, it’s pretty easy to see why. Still one of the best streaming devices, this model is nearly identical to the second-gen Google Chromecast model from 2015, only it’s a little faster. The new Chromecast has also lost a very handy physical feature, and it has almost nothing to show to reflect three years of hardware advancement in the streaming space.

If you’ve got a 1080p TV kicking around in your kitchen or guest room, and the set doesn’t have smart features built-in, the Chromecast is still your best option for inexpensively watching Netflix, Hulu, et al. on a big screen. Otherwise, Google’s attractive little dongle is behind the times 1.