Thursday, 24 April 2025
29.7 C
Singapore
34.3 C
Thailand
21.2 C
Indonesia
29.3 C
Philippines

Google TV’s ‘Magic Button’ makes its debut on Walmart’s streaming device, not on a Chromecast

Walmart's upcoming Onn 4K Pro streaming box debuts Google TV's 'Magic Button,' a customisable shortcut feature, ahead of Chromecast.

Google’s long-rumoured “Magic Button,” a customisable shortcut feature for Google TV, has finally surfaced, not on a Google device but rather on a remote for Walmart’s upcoming Onn 4K Pro streaming box. This surprising development was first reported by AFTVnews, which obtained a preview of the still-unreleased device.

The Onn 4K Pro, a Google TV-powered streaming box, includes a new star button located in the top right corner of the remote, described as a “customisable button.” This feature allows users to programme the button as a shortcut to a favourite app or to switch TV inputs easily. This new button replaces the dedicated TV input button found on previous models of Onn streaming box remotes.

The evolution of Google’s ‘Magic Button’

The concept of the Magic Button has been part of the Google TV ecosystem for some time, appearing initially in marketing materials for Google’s first Chromecast TV back in 2020. It later showed up in Android TV beta code last year, hinting at its possible inclusion in a forthcoming Chromecast model. With Google’s I/O developer conference scheduled for May 14th, there’s speculation that a new Chromecast version featuring the Magic Button might be announced.

A closer look at the Onn 4K Pro

The Onn 4K Pro was unexpectedly revealed last week during a YouTube livestream by Superdell-TV. The device boasts a built-in smart speaker and “Pro” features such as support for Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision, 3GB of RAM, and 32GB of storage. Additionally, the remote features a prominent “Free TV” button that directs users to Google’s FAST channels. While the Onn 4K Pro has not yet been listed on Walmart’s website, the leaks indicate that an official release could be imminent.

Hot this week

Western Digital and Microsoft launch rare earth material recycling programme in the US

Western Digital and Microsoft recover rare earths from hard drives in US pilot, cutting emissions and boosting supply chain sustainability.

Qualcomm unveils new Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 with high-end features for less

Qualcomm quietly unveils the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 with high-end features and strong performance for next-gen smartphones at a lower price.

Proofpoint launches unified cybersecurity platform to cut costs and tackle multichannel threats

Proofpoint launches Prime Threat Protection, a unified cybersecurity platform tackling human risk and multichannel threats while reducing costs.

ChatGPT joins forces with The Washington Post in new content partnership

OpenAI partners with The Washington Post to bring trusted news summaries to ChatGPT, offering better access to reliable information.

Mark Zuckerberg says TikTok slowed Meta’s growth and changed its direction

Zuckerberg says TikTok slowed Meta’s growth and forced a shift in strategy, as revealed in the FTC antitrust trial on June 5.

POCO launches entry-level C71 smartphone in Singapore with premium features

POCO launches the budget-friendly C71 smartphone in Singapore, offering premium design, enhanced cameras, and smooth performance at S$109.

NVIDIA uses AI to address climate, wildlife and disaster risks

NVIDIA’s AI tools support climate action, wildlife monitoring, and disaster risk mitigation, with uses spanning sea, land, sky and space.

Netflix raises subscription prices in Singapore again

Netflix again raises subscription prices in Singapore, with new rates for all plans and extra member slots.

GameMax unveils Blade Concept ATX case with bold design and powerful features

GameMax launches the Blade Concept ATX case, which features a striking blade design, RGB lighting, and support for high-end liquid-cooled PC builds.

Related Articles

Popular Categories