Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
In summary
- A Google product manager told us that the company plans to eventually bring Android 14 to the Chromecast with Google TV.
- However, we haven't been told when the update will be available.
- However, don't expect Thread support to be added in the update, as it will require new hardware.
While this week's Made by Google event was all about the new Pixel devices, Google's new Nest hardware was also on display at the event. That includes the new Google TV streamerGoogle's latest TV streaming box that replaces the Chromecast. Although the Chromecast with Google TV has been discontinued, Google will still provide software updates for it, and Android Authority has been informed that this will include an update of Android 14.
On the sidelines of the Made by Google event, we had the opportunity to talk to several Google TV product managers about the new Google TV Streamer. Since the Google TV Streamer is the first device in the US to Using Android 14 for TVswe had a lot of questions about the new software release. In particular, we wanted to know if there are any features in Android TV 14, as many people are referring to the Android 14 for TV release, that won't be available on other devices receiving the update.
Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority
The answer is yes, not every new feature in Android TV 14 will be available on other devices. One example they gave is the new Wire network stack that allows TVs to act as Thread border routers. Most existing devices don't have Thread radio, so even if they upgrade to Android 14 for TV, they clearly can't act as Thread border routers.
One Google TV product manager we spoke to specifically emphasized how this would be the case for the Chromecast with Google TV. They said that while the team will eventually upgrade the Chromecast with Google TV to Android 14, it won't have the same Thread functionality as the new Google TV Streamer because it lacks the hardware.
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
Google bringing Android 14 to the Chromecast with Google TV shouldn't really come as a surprise, considering the company promised to continue delivering software and security updates when it announced it would killing the chromecast brandChromecast with Google TV (4K) is expected to continue receiving security updates until the end of September 2025, while Chromecast with Google TV (HD) is expected to receive updates until the end of September 2027.
The original Chromecast with Google TV (4K) shipped with Android TV 10 and later received an update to Android TV 12, while the HD model shipped with Android TV 12 out of the box. Android TV 14 would therefore be the second major OS upgrade for the 4K model and the first major upgrade for the HD model.
Google TV streamer
22% performance improvement over Chromecast
Matter compatible
1%out
Google Chromecast with Google TV (4K)
Fantastic interface
Google Assistant is incredibly useful
Combines almost every streaming service into one
Google Chromecast with Google TV (HD)
Cheap
Has a remote control
1080p Google TV experience
We don't know when the Android TV 14 update will roll out to either Chromecast, only that it will eventually. We do know what new features the Android TV 14 update will come with some implications though, as it was announced back in May at Google I/O and is now shipping on the Google TV Streamer and some Acer TVs in India.