I've been using the new Chromecast with Google TV for a bit now, and honestly I REALLY dig it.

Here's my full impressions article, but here's some stuff we should talk about. https://www.androidauthority.com/chromecast-with-google-tv-review-1162931/

A thread: (1/X)

At this point, a lot of hardware has 'Cast' capabilities. Your smart display, speakers, etc. The Chromecast used to be this magic box that changed how we toss content around our screens. But now, it doesn't make a lot of sense to have a dedicated Chromecast. It's a feature now.

Google TV is a UX layer on top of Android TV. So Android TV is the OS, Google TV is the "Skin" of Android TV, as it were.

Google TV is a great way to integrate a familiar UX experience that people like from competitors like Roku, Fire Stick, etc. with Chromecast and Assistant.

Google Assistant can also be used to control pretty much all your smart home stuff, so it would be dumb to NOT have another access point for you to use the Assistant. You can look at your nest cams, adjust your lights, etc. Same as regular assistant. It makes sense.

If something is going to plug into your TV, you might as well make it a nice streamer. That's what everyone else does, and Google's just has the extra benefits of cast functionality + Assistant. Those are super valuable. I think this is a great way to merge things.

I also really like the remote - I think it was a great idea. It can control your TV's power, volume, and input, so it can replace your regular remote if you do everything through Google TV.