Google's Next Chromecast Could Look More Like a Roku Box
Among streaming TV devices, Alphabet's (NASDAQ: GOOG) (NASDAQ: GOOGL) Google Chromecast is fairly unique. Its platform -- to the extent that it even has a "platform" -- is rooted in Google's Google Cast wireless transfer protocol and Chrome browser, and the device relies on another device to "cast" and control the streaming video. By contrast, competitors such as Roku's (NASDAQ: ROKU) Roku platform, Amazon's (NASDAQ: AMZN) Fire TV platform, and Apple's (NASDAQ: AAPL) tvOS keep all streaming-related tasks together on one device and put their controls on something pretty familiar to TV viewers: a remote control.
The "missing" remote is one of the more visible signs of Chromecast's unusual approach to turning "dumb" TVs smart. But that difference will reportedly be disappearing soon. According to a report from 9to5 Google, Google is working on a Chromecast device that will have a remote -- and that's not the only reason this reported new device should catch the attention of leaders at Roku, Amazon, and Apple.
Image source: Getty Images.
Source Fool.com
