Google is expected to launch a new streaming device codenamed ‘Sabrina’ soon. It was first reported to ditch the Android TV branding. Then, its renders and UI leaked, which was later followed by specs. Now, this upcoming device makes its appearance once again in Android 11 Developer Preview for Android TV.

Recently, Google released Android 11 Developer Preview for the ADT-3, an Android TV set-up box for developers. As usual, XDA Developers, dug into the firmware to find new undocumented things. To their surprise, they once again spotted ‘Sabrina’.

This time around, they did not find any new UI element or render but a short tutorial video named “reboot_sabrina” on how to reboot Google’s new streaming device. As you can see from the video attached above, to reboot it, users will have to disconnect the power source (could be USB Type-C) for 3 seconds before connecting it again.

Having said that, as per Mishaal Rahman of XDA, this device might launch with Android 10-based Android TV  and will be one of the first to receive Android 11 update when it goes official sometime later this year.

According to previous findings, Sabrina will be powered by Amlogic S905X2 chip, which has a 1.8GHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 CPU and Mali-G31 MP2 GPU. Further, it will have 2GB RAM and Broadcom BCM43569 chip for Wi-Fi 802.11ac as well as Bluetooth 4.1. 

Whereas, for audio, it will come with Cadence’s Tensilica HiFi 4 DSP. As for other features, it will have support for HLG, HDR10, Dolby Vision, Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and mic on remote for Google Assistant.

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Last month, there were reports making rounds that Google could launch a new Chromecast Ultra device in the market which will be based on the Android TV operating system. Now, more information about the device has surfaced online.

Dubbed as Google Sabrina, the upcoming device is an Android TV dongle. It has a pebble-like design which is a bit taller than the current Chromecast device. From the leaked images, there’s a big “G” branding on the device and it’ll be made available in three color options — Black, White, and Pink.

The device will also come with a new Remote Control and from the images, it seems like it’s very similar to the Daydream View. Apart from the ring-based navigation on the top, there are six buttons — back, Assistant, home, star/favorite, play/pause, and volume mute.

Another interesting detail leaked online is the revamp of the Android TV interface based on the content. Some reports point out that the Android TV could get renamed to Google TV which this new device gets launched.

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The upcoming product, which is codenamed “Sabrina”, is reportedly powered by an Amlogic chipset and will come with support for Dolby Audio. While some reports suggest Nest branding for the device, the retail name still remains under the wrap.

The leaked images show that the home screen on the software has a top bar where the search field is present on the top-left corner. Then you get options like For you, Movies, TV, Live, Apps, and My Library. The layout looks quite similar to the current layout of the Play Store on Android TV.

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(Source)

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Google has officially revealed a date for its launch event. The date is October 9 and the venue is in New York. The venue is surprising since Google is known to host its launch events in California.

While the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are the expected devices to be announced on that day, we are sure those are just two of all the new hardware that will be unveiled. Below is a list of other products that will also likely be announced:

1.Android TV Dongle (Chromecast Ultra’ successor)

Earlier this year, a Chromecast-like dongle was seen at the FCC. The dongle has Google’s “G” logo on it and an HDMI-out connector at one end. The FCC document referred to it as the “4K ATV” stick which means it supports streaming in 4K.

It has 2GB of RAM, 8GB of storage and is powered by an Amlogix S905X processor. The dongle also has a remote similar to that of the Mi Box but with a dedicated Google Assistant button. Our guess is that this is the successor to the Chromecast Ultra but with Android TV on it so you have no need for your phone, tablet, or PC.

2. Mi Box 2 (Mi Box 4)

The Mi Box is the Android TV version of the Mi Box 3 that is sold in China. Announced back in 2016, Google (and Xiaomi) may announce a successor at the October 9 event.

The new box which may be officially called the Mi Box 2 was seen at the FCC a few months ago. It has the same design as the Mi Box 4 sold in China but comes with a different remote. The remote has a dedicated Google Assistant key like that of the TV dongle above but also adds a dedicated Netflix button and another button for Live TV.

The design of the box and the new remote seems to be the biggest upgrades as the internals don’t seem to have changed at all. It still has 2GB of RAM and 8GB of storage. It also keeps the full-sized USB port in case you want to connect a USB flash drive or a wireless gamepad.

A test photo of the device at the FCC shows an interface similar to that of Android TV 8.0 Oreo. This is not surprising since Android TV 9.0 Pie isn’t yet available. By the way, Google has made a rule that Android TV boxes launched after December 15 must come with Android Pie.

3. A new Google Home with a display

A number of manufacturers have released smart speakers with displays. Lenovo’s Smart Display (8” and 10” models) and the JBL Link View are two examples. However, Google may launch its own smart display at the event.

News of Google’s own smart display was first reported last month by Nikkei Asian Review. The smart display will launch before the holidays and is expected to challenge Amazon’s own Echo Show. Google is said to have set a target of 3 million shipments for the first batch.

The device which will likely be made by Taiwan’s Quanta Computer will be the latest member of the Google Home family when it launches.

4. Pixelbook 2

The Pixelbook is still one of the best Chromebooks on the market but it is already a year old which means its internals are a bit outdated. A new Pixelbook is said to be in development and goes by the codename “Nocturne”. It is said to be detachable, allowing it to be used as a ChromeOS tablet. Nocturne has also been reported to have a fingerprint scanner, a first for a Chrome OS device.

With respect to specs, Nocturne has a 2400 x 1600 screen, two USB-C ports, and is missing a MicroSD card slot.

However, it isn’t the only ChromeOS device in development by Google. A second device codenamed “Meowth” was also discovered in Chromium source code. It has been reported as being detachable and working with the same keyboard base as “Nocturne”  and goes by the codename “Whiskers”. Meowth has also been reported to be less powerful than “Nocturne”.

The keyboard dock is detachable and has a backlight which adjusts automatically based on ambient light. It can also be folded to serve as a stand when “Nocturne” or “Meowth” is in tablet form. When in this form, the keys and touchpad are automatically disabled.

We don’t have further proof to back any of these findings yet but there is a possibility Google may announce at least one new Pixelbook.

READ MORE: No Pixel smartwatch(es) this year says Google

Conclusion

The launch event will begin at 11 AM Eastern Time and a live stream will be available on the Made by Google YouTube channel for those who will be watching from home.

Which of these devices are you most excited about and which will you be buying?

(Sources: 1, 2, 3)

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The last official Android TV box was the Mi Box released in 2016. It is actually the Mi Box 3 but with Android TV installed on it. Google itself hasn’t released a new Android TV device after the Nexus Player but it seems it is working on a dongle in collaboration with Xiaomi.

Images of a Google-branded dongle along with a remote that looks like the one bundled with Xiaomi TVs and boxes have been seen at the FCC. The dongle is shaped like a location pin with a short HDMI cable attached to it at one end, a micro USB port and reset button on the side, and a Google G logo on top.

From the design and size, it is obvious the dongle will remain at the back of the TV.

Another photo shows the remote which looks just like the Mi Box Bluetooth voice remote but with a few additions. Opposite the power button is a new options button. The microphone and what appears to be a LED sit between the buttons.

The remote keeps the directional and select buttons but they are now marked. The return key is still there but the home key is now on the left with the old Android home icon. Instead of the microphone key, the third button now has the Google Assistant icon and sits in the middle. The volume rocker remains in its former position.

The TV dongle is powered by an Amlogic S905X – a quad-core processor with support for 4K @ 60fps (VP9 decoding), HDR10, and Dolby Vision. It also has a built-in DAC. There is 2GB of RAM and 8GB of eMMC storage. Power input is via a 5V/2A adapter.

The FCC document reveals that the device which is referred to as “4K ATV Stick” is manufactured by Shenzhen SEI Robotics Co. Apart from the Google logo and the Google Assistant, there is no mention of Google and Xiaomi having anything to do with the hardware on the manual.

READ MORE: Google Pixel 3 Makes First Appearance in AOSP, Hints At Improved Networking

The product does look genuine and may launch as a cheaper option to get Android TV into the home. It has the same RAM and storage as the Mi Box but with a smaller footprint. However, there is no way to add more storage either via a microSD card slot or a USB port. The device may be announced at Google I/O next month.

(Source, Via)

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