GoKawiil
Tech News
Google is said to be working on a successor to its Google TV Streamer device that would add hands-free voice control, similar to features found on Apple's streaming hardware. Details on timing, pricing and full specifications have not been disclosed.
XGIMI has opened US reservations for its Aura 3 Max and Pro ultra-short-throw projectors, which launch on Kickstarter October 20. The Max starts at $2,399 and the Pro at $2,199, though a refundable $50 deposit lowers those to $2,199 and $1,999 respectively; full retail prices will be $4,999 and $3,999. Both run Google TV, support 4K at 120Hz, and ship starting in December.
Amazon is selling JMGO's N1S Ultimate Triple Laser 4K Projector for $1,299, down from its $2,799 list price, a 54% cut and the lowest price the device has reached. The projector features a triple-laser DLP system rated around 3,300 ISO lumens, a built-in gimbal stand, roughly 110% BT.2020 color coverage, up to 300-inch projection, built-in Google TV, autofocus/auto-keystone tools, and 20W speakers.
ESPN has begun offering its 4K HDR streaming service on Google TV, following its initial launch on Apple TV last month. However, early reports indicate that users are experiencing problems such as choppy video and HDR not activating properly, despite seeing the 4K HDR badge in the app. The rollout is part of ESPN's broader plan to bring enhanced streaming quality to more platforms this fall, but current performance issues suggest the implementation is still a work in progress.
Nvidia increased the price of its Shield TV Pro streaming box from $199.99 to $299.99 starting October 2nd, citing rising component costs linked to the ongoing memory shortage. The company has also discontinued the cheaper entry-level Shield TV, leaving the Pro as its only streaming device.
Developer Chainfire has released version 2.0 of Sideload Launcher, a free third-party Android TV launcher that displays sideloaded, unofficial-source, and phone/tablet apps alongside standard ones. The update introduces a redesigned interface, a cleaner app list, and new customization and sorting options, while keeping the app free of ads and tracking and functional without internet access.
A user named Cobanov used Anthropic's Claude AI to debloat his four-year-old Android TV through developer/ADB access, instructing it to disable unused apps, shorten animations, and log all changes rather than uninstall anything. He also replaced Google TV's ad-heavy home screen with FLauncher, an open-source app launcher, and reported the TV ran smoother than when new, all without rooting the device.
ATV Launcher's version 0.1.41 update introduces "Arrangements," ten preset home-screen row layouts including Spotlight, Bookends, Centre Stage, Marquee, and Hero Trio, some featuring double-sized highlight tiles. It also lets users embed widgets like Weather, Digital Clock, System Info, and Watch Next directly into app rows, alongside a refreshed Configure Tile dialog, new folder preview styles, edge-to-edge Watch Next cards, and a customizable status bar with pill styles and TV input switching. The developer also released a separate free companion app offering 15 digital clock widget styles.
Amazon is currently selling the Hisense PL2 ultra-short-throw 4K laser projector for $1,499, a $1,000 cut from its $2,499 list price. The device projects images from roughly 80 to 150 inches while sitting close to a wall, supports Dolby Vision HDR, and runs Google TV with built-in audio. The current price beats the previous year-to-date low of $1,799.
Amazon has cut the price of the Dangbei DBOX02, a 4K UHD laser projector, to $948.99 from its $1,199 list price, a 21% discount that matches its lowest recorded price. The device comes with Google TV, built-in Chromecast, and licensed Netflix support, along with 2450 ISO lumens of ALPD laser brightness and HDR10+ compatibility for screens up to 200 inches.
Dangbei's MP1 MAX, a 4K triple-laser projector running Google TV, is now available on Amazon for $1,299 after a $300 price reduction. The discount brings one of Dangbei's premium home-theater projectors down from its usual price point without altering its specs or features.
Amazon is selling the XGIMI Horizon 20 Pro 4K projector for $1,618.98, a 19% cut from its $1,999 list price and a $381 savings. The projector uses an RGB triple-laser engine with about 4,100 ISO lumens, optical zoom, and lens shift, and supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, and IMAX Enhanced. It also includes a low-latency gaming mode with up to 240Hz at 1080p, Google TV, Netflix, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and HDMI 2.1 with eARC.