In a surprising move that marks the end of an era, Google has announced the discontinuation of its Chromecast line. 

The tech giant is pivoting towards a new product, the Google TV Streamer, offering a substantial departure from the familiar HDMI dongle form factor.

The Chromecast, a beloved device that has transformed countless televisions into smart hubs, has enjoyed a successful 11-year run, amassing sales of approximately 100 million units across various generations.

While Google assures users that support for the latest Chromecast models will continue, the company has been reticent about specifying the duration of this commitment.

The Google TV Streamer represents a bold shift in strategy. Ditching the compact dongle design in favour of a set-top-box format is a decision that will undoubtedly polarise consumers.

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The device's aesthetic, available in porcelain white or hazel grey, is unlikely to win any design awards, with some critics already questioning Google's colour choices.

However, the company insists that the device's true value lies in its internal components.

While Google has been tight-lipped about the processor powering the Google TV Streamer, it boasts an impressive 22 per cent performance uplift compared to its Chromecast with Google TV predecessor.

Coupled with 4GB of RAM and a generous 32GB of built-in storage – a significant leap from the 8GB offered by the latest Chromecast models – the Streamer positions itself as a more capable streaming device.

As the Chromecast era draws to a close, the tech world watches with keen interest to see how consumers will embrace this new chapter in Google's television strategy.