It looks like the Fire TV Stick will finally have some stiff competition. If information circulating the internet is to be believed, then a new Chromecast Ultra has appeared on the Taiwanese certification agency NCC. This Chromecast Ultra comes with a remote control. The new information about the device was first spotted by MySmartPrice. In the certification, Google details a device that has two components – the Chromecast Ultra and a remote control. Information circulating the internet suggested that the device has a codename “sabrina”.
The new device is said to have the same features as the current Chromecast Ultra but will bring with it a remote control. It will support 4K and HDR, but it isn’t clear if it will support other formats like Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, both of which are supported on the 4K Fire TV Stick available in India. It looks like the remote control which will come with the new Chromecast Ultra will be a cross between the Daydream remote control and the Apple TV remote control. It is also expected that the remote control will have a microphone for easy access to the Google Assistant along with a dedicated button to bring up the Assistant.
Aesthetically, it seems the device will be the same as the 3rd-generation Chromecast aka the Chromecast 3 (read our review here). It is expected to have a soft rounded finish with the “G” logo on it. It is still unclear whether the device will come in black and white colour options only or will it come in the colourful options we saw with the Chromecast 2 (read our review here).
For consumers in India, it looks like Google could be late to the streaming party with this upcoming device. There are a lot of Android TV based streaming boxes available, some from service providers like Airtel and ACT combining their respective services with the Android TV box to give consumers a package deal. We also have a device like the Fire TV Stick, which is available in 2 options – FHD and 4K HDR to cater to those that want to upgrade to a smart TV experience. Just so you know, the 4K Chromecast Ultra was never officially launched in India.