• Read more: Which streaming stick should you buy? The best streaming devices – reviewed

Google’s latest Android update for Google TV includes a nifty new feature that promises to make the eternal hunt for the TV remote a thing of the past. Unveiled at last week’s Google I/O conference, the Android 14 for TV beta reveals a Find my Remote feature that’s set to save us all from the sofa cushion shuffle.

According to Android Authority, the beta release uncovered that a button on your Google TV can now trigger a 30-second beeping session on your remote. This auditory beacon is a lifesaver if your remote has mysteriously migrated to the depths of your living room. To stop the sound, you can simply press any button on the remote (once you’ve found it).

AFTVNews also stumbled upon the same functionality on Walmart’s Onn Google TV 4K Pro streaming box. The Onn box sports a dedicated button to activate the remote’s beeping and a helpful LED flash. There’s a toggle to enable or disable the feature. Plus, you get a handy test button to ensure everything’s working as it should.

Thanks to the beta software, we can assume the Find my Remote feature is not exclusive to Walmart’s Onn box. Rather, it’s a broader update coming to all Google TV users with the Android 14 update. However, don’t expect your ancient remotes to join in the fun – they’ll need a built-in speaker to sound off. We’re still waiting on Google to confirm when this update will roll out and which models will be supported.

• Related: What is Google Chromecast, and how does it work?

• Read more: Best AI phones: which smartphone has the best AI features?

Google Photos is doling out this treasure trove of AI photo editing tools, previously the exclusive playground of Pixel phone aficionados and those willing to shell out for a Google One subscription. Now, they’re flinging open the doors to everyone in a free update.

At the heart of this suite of photo editing tools is Magic Editor, an AI wizard that can transform your dreary holiday snaps into envy-inducing masterpieces. It can tweak a grey sky to a vivid blue, give photobombers the boot, and even reposition your sulking teenager to centre stage, all with a few taps. This kind of magic used to require a wand named Photoshop and a hefty sprinkle of patience. Not anymore. The rest of the AI photo editing tools – including the crowd-pleasers like Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, and a bunch of other snazzy features are on the way as well. The crème de la crème, like the AI-powered Best Take, will remain reserved solely for the Pixel 8 series.

But before you start planning a photoshoot in your garden, there are a few hoops to jump through. This whole ensemble is currently rolling out, and older Pixel devices are up first. Don’t expect your ancient tech relics to suddenly become photo-editing powerhouses. There’s a minimum spec requirement. Chromebooks need to be running ChromeOS version 118+ with at least 3GB of RAM, while smartphones must be on Android 8 or higher, or iOS 15 or higher. Pixel tablets are joining the party too.

But there’s one more kicker for the rest of us with iOS and Android devices. You only get 10 Magic Editor saves a month. Want more? That’ll require opening your wallet for a Premium Google One plan.

• Related: The best photo editing apps for Android, iPhone and iPad

Introduction

In recent years, Google’s Pixel A-series (A standing for affordable, presumably) has dominated the market for the best mid-range smartphones. They’ve delivered outstanding value, by including many of the brand’s flagship features (think amazing cameras and slick software) and only cutting the corners you’re less likely to notice. The Google Pixel 8a continues this tradition.

Google has taken the best features of its more expensive and well-reviewed Pixel 8, and slightly scaled them back to achieve a more budget-friendly price point. The result has made me question whether you need to spend more than $500 / £500 on a smartphone.

Inside is Google’s flagship Tensor G3 chipset, as well as higher-end features such as a brighter display with a higher refresh rate, upgraded IP67 rating and a 64MP camera. It’s not just hardware that Google has focused on, however; the Pixel 8a is equipped with many of the same AI features as the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, like Gemini, Best Take and Audio Magic Eraser.

Is the new Google Pixel 8a good enough to tempt you away from getting a flagship smartphone? Let’s take a look in more detail…

Design & build: fun, fresh design

The Pixel 8a is the most refined Pixel A-Series phone yet. Compared to the Pixel 7a, the Pixel 8a feels even better in your hands with soft rounded edges, a matte back and a polished, recycled aluminium frame. The rear shell is still made from polycarbonate, but the matte finish is now less prone to fingerprints. 

At first glance, it looks and feels identical to the pricier Pixel 8, but closer inspection will reveal a few key differences. For a start, the display bezels are slightly thicker, and everything is just a bit more rounded. I really like the Pixel 8a design and actually prefer it to the Pixel 8. The matte back provides more grip compared to the glossy Pixel 8, and the camera bar is slimmer and less intrusive.

As well as being more refined, the Pixel 8a is also the most durable A-Series phone yet, with an IP67 rating (meaning it can handle slips, spills and dust) and features a Gorilla Glass 3 display.

I’m reviewing the ‘Porcelain’ (AKA white) Pixel 8a, but you can also choose Obsidian (black) or two new A-series colours, Bay (blue) and Aloe (a limited-edition, mint green colour).

You have the option of face and fingerprint unlocking, though only the fingerprint can be used for banking apps and similar services. Both methods quickly recognized me, and I didn’t notice any difference between it and the more premium Pixel models.

Screen & sound: bright and beautiful

Staying relatively compact, the screen size and resolution haven’t changed from last year, meaning the Google Pixel 8a gets a 2400×1080 OLED panel stretched across 6.1in. I really appreciate that Google has resisted the urge to supersize its affordable phone.

The big upgrade here, however, is to the brightness and refresh rate. The new Actua display is 40-percent brighter than the Pixel 7a, and the refresh rate tops out at 120Hz. This is a welcome change, as it can now match its rivals, such as the Nothing Phone 2, for fluid motion. It’s also a big improvement over the Pixel 7a and its 90Hz display. 

It’s worth noting you can’t force it to constantly run at 120Hz, with Google dynamically switching between 60 and 120Hz depending what’s onscreen. It’s also disabled by default, which means you need a trip to the Settings menu to turn it on. But I think the smoothness of every swipe and scroll makes the minor hit to battery life worth it.

Deep blacks and vibrant colours are standard for an OLED panel, and the Pixel 8a makes no exception. It’s a lovely display to look at, with both still images and videos looking punchy, yet true to life. 

Personally, I find the default setting feels a little too saturated, so opt for the Natural colour preset which tones it down a bit. Whichever profile you opt for, you’ll get a sharp, saturated, and well-defined image.

As previously mentioned, the screen is noticeably brighter than the previous model. While previous A-series Pixel phones couldn’t match the brightness of more expensive models, the Pixel 8a matches the same 2000 nits peak brightness as the Pixel 8. It’s clear to use in direct sunlight and has excellent viewing angles.

The Pixel 8a’s stereo speakers do a decent enough job for general podcast listening or YouTube playback. The down-firing driver and earpiece tweeter don’t produce any real bass, but the vocals are clear and I found the volume to be ample. If you want a more personal listening experience you’ll have to opt for Bluetooth headphones, as there is no 3.5mm headphone port here.

Cameras: point-and-shoot

Last year Google gave the Pixel 7a the same 64MP main snapper as the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. It had a significantly higher pixel count than the Pixel 6a and the sensor was physically larger as well (meaning it could capture more light). For the Pixel 8a, Google has decided to stick with this great sensor.

The images taken in the phone are downsampled to 16MP, but the big draw of Pixel phones is that you get Google’s superb image processing algorithms perfecting each image before you get a chance to see the finished shot.

I am constantly amazed at how good the more affordable Pixel phones are when it comes to photography. The amount of detail in the images is really impressive, with Google nailing both close-up and distance shots. In my opinion, this is the best camera phone you can get for under $500/£500.

Google’s processing is consistent across all Pixel phones, so with the 8a, you’ll still get the trademark heavy shadows and a more natural colour balance when compared to either Samsung or Apple. I think the resulting images are very dynamic and close to what your eyes actually see. Exposure, noise, and dynamic range are all handled very well, creating a balanced, pleasing image to look at.

Skin tones remain very well judged thanks to the firm’s Real Tone skin tone mapping, and autofocus was always quick to pick out my subjects. As a point-and-shoot experience, I don’t think it can be beaten.

Night Sight kicks in automatically in very low light, and while it still needs a second or two of steady hands for the sharpest shots, the detail is very impressive and the noise is kept to a minimum.

The main camera is paired with a 13MP ultrawide lens, which misses out on the Macro Focus close-up abilities of the pricier Pixel 8. Once again, colour balance, dynamic range, and exposure are very closely matched, and the level of detail is impressive. There’s some softening and distortion at the edges, but really, it’s another area where the Pixel 8a outperforms its rivals.

Unsurprisingly, there is no dedicated telephoto lens, but Google’s Super Res zoom adds up to 8x magnification using software tricks. While these images don’t fare as well under close scrutiny, they remain perfectly usable between 2x and 4x zoom.

Finally, the 13MP selfie camera is also identical to the Pixel 7a. In good lighting conditions, the shots captured by the Pixel 7a’s front-facing camera are detailed, colourful, and devoid of noise, with only a minor step-down in quality once indoors. It excels in capturing finer facial details, and its dynamic range is quite respectable.

The real game changer when it comes to Pixel photography is the addition of Google’s AI-powered editing tools enabled by the G3 chip. These include features like Best Take, which lets you choose the best expression for everyone in a group shot, and Magic Editor, which lets you reposition and resize subjects. I find them really user-friendly in use, and think it’s great they’re now available at a more accessible price point. 

Software experience: AI everywhere

The Pixel 8a inherits Google’s Tensor G3 CPU from its bigger brothers, meaning this mid-range phone has the firepower of a full-on flagship. Android feels perfectly responsive, swiftly opening apps and smoothly handling split-screen multitasking. With 8GB of RAM, it excels at multitasking, while Google’s custom Titan M2 chip ensures robust hardware-level security. While most Snapdragon 8 Gen 3-powered phones outperform the Pixel 8a in benchmarks, unless you’re deeply concerned about having the fastest phone available, you’re unlikely to notice a significant difference.

The entry-level Pixel 8a comes with 128GB of storage, which is about what I’d expect for the cash, but for the first time, Google now also offers a 256GB version. This addresses a gripe we had with previous A-series phones. If that’s still not enough, buyers qualify for discounted Google One cloud storage.

The Pixel 8a dropped with Android 14 on board, and will naturally be among the first in line for Android 15 once Google releases that version to the public. If you feel the need to have the latest software available, a Pixel remains your best bet. 

Adding to this, Google has promised at least seven years of security patches, which is outstanding if you’re shopping for a long-term handset. You’ll also get semi-regular Feature Drops like the rest of the Pixel line-up.

Of course, being a Pixel phone, the 8a doesn’t have any pre-installed bloat, just a full selection of Google-made apps, and the interface is just as Google intended. It’s simple to navigate and looks great in my eyes.

The big story this year is AI. The Pixel 8a is packed full of features to make your life easier. From Circle to Search to the At a Glance widget, both of which are neat little additions to make this affordable phone more practical.

Two notable additions are the AI-powered Pixel Call Assist features (like Call Screen, Direct My Call, Hold for Me, and Clear Calling), as well as the introduction of Audio Emojis, which aim to make your phone calls more expressive and engaging. Just tap on an emoji to trigger an audio reaction and visual effect – I like to use the laughing emoji after telling a joke, because I’m deeply insecure.

In the US, Pixel 8a users can access Google’s Gemini AI chatbot, but that’s currently unavailable in the UK and Europe.

Performance & battery life: business as usual

Pixel phones aren’t really known for their battery endurance, and the Pixel 8a doesn’t change that. With a 4492mAh battery, the Pixel 8a squeezes in a few more cells than the outgoing 7a, but in reality the difference will be negligible.

Google estimates a 24+ hour battery life which is achievable if you’re at home or in the office all day barely using your phone, but if you’re streaming music, using Google Maps, and doom-scrolling on a train, I’ve found you’ll probably need a battery top-up in the evening/overnight.

Extreme battery saver can get you out of a pinch by pausing everything except critical apps, boosting standby time to as much as three days. But this limits you to only using your phone for calls or texts while it’s enabled.

When it does come to charging, you’ll be doing it at 18W when plugged in, or 7.5W wireless. We said this in our Pixel 7a review, but this is the bare minimum for a modern phone and means it’ll take multiple hours to fully refuel the battery. It’s not outstandingly bad, but it’s not particularly great either. Chinese alternatives like the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ remain leagues ahead here.

Google Pixel 8a verdict

With swift performance, sleek AI-powered software, and outstanding camera capabilities for its price, the Google Pixel 8a once again dominates the affordable smartphone market. It proves that you don’t need to spend over $500/£500 to get an excellent smartphone anymore. Its upgraded design and brighter screen give it the look and feel of a more expensive handset, pushing rival smartphone makers to catch up. When compared to the likes of the Samsung Galaxy A55 and Nothing Phone 2, there really is no competition.

To increase the value proposition even further, Google will support this phone for seven years, which is very commendable in my eyes.

Okay, the charging speeds remain slightly behind rivals, and not all AI features are available to buyers in the UK and Europe, but unless you’re willing to spend nearly double the money on a flagship with even more versatile cameras, the Pixel 8a is everything you’ll ever need.

Google Pixel 8a technical specifications

• Read more: I strapped Brilliant Labs’ ChatGPT-powered monocle to my face for a week

At the Google I/O 2024 developer’s conference, everyone’s favourite search giant put a firm focus on AI. AI this. AI that. There are compilations of just how many times they said the phrase on stage. But in the presentation, Google might have given us a look at a second version of Google Glass.

During a video for Gemini AI, Google shows someone wearing a pair of smart glasses and asking Gemini what they’re looking at. It’s led many to believe that Google is working on a pair of smart glasses – an AI-powered version of Google Glass, if you will. The glasses are unlikely to be Meta’s smart Ray-Bans, as they use Meta’s Llama AI model. Even if Google doesn’t release Google Glass 2 (perhaps called Pixel Glasses now), this could be a sign that the tech giant is partnering up with another brand that makes them.

If you didn’t quite catch the blip that was Google Glass back in 2014, here’s what you need to know. The device was a pair of augmented reality (AR) glasses. They were packed with smart notifications, a camera for photos and videos, turn-by-turn navigation, and Google’s defunct social platform Google+. The specs proved unpopular with consumers due to a hefty price tag of $1500, and privacy concerns. A second version entered testing for enterprises in 2022, but not much has come of that.

• Related: I was disappointed with the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses, but Xreal’s new AR specs give me hope

Announced at Google I/O, Ask Photos is based on Google’s Gemini AI model. It massively expands Google Photos’ search abilities, using contextual info like how many times you’ve taken pictures of a particular person or object, and where you took them too.

One example shown off during the I/O keynote was asking for your car’s license plate – instead of just showing a bunch of random cars, it knows which car appears most often in your library, and which one is most often seen parked at your home. It also gives you a text summary as well as the images.

Other examples include asking for a timeline of your child’s birthday party themes over the years, with a descriptive list along with the images themselves, and when your child had their first swimming lesson.

Google photos has been around for nine years now, and today sees six billion photo and video uploads every twenty-four hours. That’s a whole lot of data to train Gemini’s face and object detection algorithms. In terms of search accuracy, Google reckons Gemini will nail even the most complex of search queries.

Ask Photos is set to roll out later in 2024. It will work for videos as well as photos, with text and voice input options. It should be integrated into Google Photos, rather than its own separate app.

Right now it’s unclear if you’ll need a Google One subscription; features like Magic Eraser and Magic Editor were initially limited to subscribers only, before Google made them free to all users.

• Related: Best AI phones – which smartphone has the best AI features?

As far as I’m concerned, they’re perfectly designed for me. I love stock Android, the amazing camera setups, and genuinely useful features such as Best Take, Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur. I never play games or do anything particularly intensive on my phone, so the slightly lower specs compared to other flagship smartphones have never really bothered me, but there is one thing that has always annoyed me…

• Best mid-range smartphone: affordable mobiles reviewed

I like small phones, and the Google Pixel Pro phones, which often come with upgraded hardware over the standard models, are only available in larger sizes.

For example, the Pixel 8 Pro has a 6.7in display and features a zoom lens and more superior ultrawide lens, as well as more RAM and ‘Video Boost’, which is essentially Night Sight for videos. The more compact 6.2in Pixel 8 misses out on these features.

Now, have I ever really missed those features since opting for the standard Pixel? Probably not, but as a diehard Pixel fan I would appreciate all of the latest features available (just in a smaller form factor).

It’s worth mentioning that Google is actually relatively good when it comes to this – take a look at the iPhone 14 or the Samsung Galaxy S24 lineups and you’ll see a massive difference between the smaller entry-level phones and the large range toppers.

But I’m not interested in those other brands – I’m Pixel till I die. Which is why the latest Google Pixel 9 Pro leak really excites me.

New images from Rozetked show Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL, alongside a Pixel 9 Pro that’s the same size as the standard Pixel.

I think it’s great that we might finally get Google’s very best camera setup in a normal-sized phone. 

The leak shows the standard Pixel 9 with a two-camera system (presumably a standard and ultra-wide), while both the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL have triple-camera systems (standard, ultra-wide, and zoom).

We also get a glimpse at the new design language for the Pixel phones, with a pill-shaped camera bump rather than a bar spanning the entire width of the phone.

I think it looks much neater, and love the more premium-looking designs.

We didn’t see a Google Pixel 9 Pro teaser at Google I/O 2024 last night, so we’ll probably have to wait for the annual ‘Made by Google’ hardware event in October for the full reveal. I can’t wait, but in the meantime, stay tuned to Stuff for the latest updates.

Which I’m sure sounds hyperbolic in the extreme. How can you kill the web? It’s huge. There are even sites dedicated to wasps on trampolines. Probably. I would check, but I’m scared to go near Google now for fear it might destroy the entire internet as we know it.

This latest bout of ‘old man yells at cloud’ actually began with Arc Search rather than Google AI. That free iPhone app lets you rattle off a search as normal, but you can alternatively have the browser search for you. It then presents a magazine-like summary packed with sections, images and videos. In other words, it does all the grunt work, rather than you having to piece together and compile information yourself. It’s fast, useful and intoxicating.

AI(EEEEEEEE)

But Google is a giant compared to the ant that is Arc. It has a gargantuan treasure trove of data, and the most powerful online presence imaginable. So while I can see the value in email/meeting summaries and better contextual photo search, I start to bristle when someone from Google says “Google will do the Googling for you” – and then beams about the rollout of AI overviews to a billion people.

Which isn’t to say there won’t be benefits. Google showed off a local search, which answered a complex query about finding a good yoga studio, potentially reducing someone’s faff load by 73%. But then people started pointing out the many inconsistencies and inaccuracies in existing Google Search summaries and Gemini output that the average user would miss. The risk is clear: search results becoming a swirling vortex of ‘maybe true’ information – like a gigantic Wikipedia on fast-forward, edited by an infinite legion of hopped-up monkeys hammering away at battered typewriters. Only infinitely less adorable. And people won’t head any further.

Google, for its part, warmly warbled that this won’t happen. But then it would say that. Instead, it argued Google AI searches create a range of perspectives, aren’t always going to be served, and will even increase click-throughs to the open web, because people want to dig deeper. 

Bots of bother

I’m unconvinced. Self-imposed limitations soon vanish when money and power enter the picture. And so I imagine Google AI results will rapidly become the default, not the exception. But there’s long been compelling evidence that social media has increasingly hollowed out news, because people rarely read beyond headlines. So how many will read beyond Google AI summaries? And will that be enough? We’re already seeing indie sites like Retro Dodo struggling against the Google algorithm. Google AI is a bigger threat. If what creators produce is rarely explored beyond being recycled in an AI summary, countless outlets could wink out of existence entirely.

At that point, things would move at speed. The well of quality information would dry up, forcing AIs to look elsewhere – but to where? User-generated content? With less incentive for producing quality, accuracy will plummet. Academia, forums and PR/paid content, then? Perhaps, but those are increasingly flooded with AI-generated content.

The end game? An internet reduced to a self-help group of AIs, glumly wondering where all the humans went. All while blaming Google, an early champion of connecting humanity to the web, for being the architect of its destruction. Still, at least we’ll all have more time for yoga. 

• Now read: Just say no: not every piece of tech needs subscriptions and AI

Just plug one of these into one of the best 4K TVs, load up one of the best streaming services, sit back and get ready to stream to your heart’s content.

See, binge-watching has come on a long way from the days of Blu-ray box sets. Between gripping Netflix originals, remastered classics on Amazon Prime and blockbuster series on Now TV, entertaining yourself has never been easier. But with so many streams to pick between, what’s the best way to get fresh shows on your screen?

Whether you want a simple stick for easy 4K streaming or a top-notch content box with voice control smarts, the list below features our pick of the best streaming kit – all comprehensively tested by the Stuff team from the comfort of the Stuff sofa.

What is the best streaming device?

We think the Chromecast with Google TV (buy now) is the best streaming device you can buy. You can ‘cast’ video from your phone, or select shows straight from Google TV’s home screen. The interface is slick and the streaming quality is excellent, with no buffering and impressively sharp 4K HDR at up to 60fps.

Other streaming device recommendations

If the Google Chromecast isn’t quite right for you, here are four more recommendations:

The best streaming devices you can buy today:

1. Chromecast with Google TV

Google’s Chromecast has gone from a passive receiver to a full-fat streaming hub. You can still ‘cast’ video from thousands of compatible Android and iOS apps. The latest version, however, also allows you to select shows straight from Google TV’s home screen.

Bringing together content from your favourite platforms on a single page, you’ll see personalised recommendations from different subscription services – although we found it can take some time for the recommendations to actually match your tastes. We like how the shows are displayed with a helpful Rotten Tomatoes score, as well as platform and rental info.

The interface is pretty slick, even if there’s sometimes a delay after pressing the home button. And with more than 6500 apps supported, you’ll rarely come up short for content. We found navigation is easier than ever, thanks to the remote that now comes bundled in. Dedicated buttons for YouTube and Netflix make it easy to dive right in, while the Google Assistant shortcut puts voice control just a press away.

Streaming quality is slick, with no buffering and impressively sharp 4K HDR at up to 60fps. Despite its plug-and-play simplicity, support for Dolby Atmos, as well as Dolby Vision and HDR10+, means the Chromecast has the skills to suit any cinema room.

• Read more: Chromecast with Google TV review

2. Roku Streaming Stick 4K

Roku’s latest streaming device doesn’t reinvent the formula. It’s a plastic stick that slots into an HDMI port on your TV, connects to your Wi-Fi and gives you access to a catalogue of content services. But it is slicker and more powerful than any Roku before it, at a very accessible price tag.

We scored it top marks for usability: the voice control remote is straightforward, with handy shortcuts for mainstream platforms, plus the option to request shows via the built-in mic. It’s not exactly premium, but it’s well-built and gets the job done. You can also use the tidy Roku app for easier typing.

We found setup to be a cinch: just stick it in, connect to the Wi-Fi and you’re away. And Wi-Fi is one of the key improvements, courtesy of upgraded hardware. Roku promises a longer range and faster connectivity – and we didn’t have any buffering issues.

You won’t struggle for entertainment either. As with other Roku devices, just about all the major video streaming apps are covered – from Prime Video to BritBox to BT Sport – plus a number of lesser-known names.

Picture quality will ultimately depend on your TV, but the Streaming Stick 4K still trumps its predecessor’s Dolby Vision support, alongside HLG and HDR10/10+, plus DTS Digital Surround. If you’ve got a proper home cinema setup, this stick will help you make the most of it.

• Read more: Roku Streaming Stick 4K review

3. Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max

Amazon’s streaming dongles are known for being affordable, reliable and versatile. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max continues that tradition. It offers faster performance, improved Wi-Fi and a few more buttons on the remote – all for a price that remains the right side of reasonable.

Styled like the Fire TV Stick 4K that came before it, Amazon’s streamer won’t win design awards. But given that it lives behind your TV, it doesn’t need to. The remote is still a functional plastic number, albeit with the addition of four new shortcut buttons for Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Music.

We found the setup straightforward, with an easy on-screen walkthrough. Once you’re online and signed in, you’ll find the Fire TV Stick 4K Max features a zippy interface. This is helped by additional RAM and processing power. The service selection is properly comprehensive, including Apple TV+, NowTV and even a full YouTube app. Prime Video is still given top priority, although the home screen can be rearranged pretty easily.

With good content to work with, we found the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max delivers: besides 4K, there’s support for Dolby Vision, HLG and HDR10/10+, as well as Dolby Atmos audio. Wi-Fi 6 also ensures speedy connectivity with supported routers, so you can enjoy your home cinema without stuttering. Alexa’s still around as well, improving all the while. Besides using your voice to locate content across all your apps (which you’ll sometimes need to specify), the digital helper can also be used to control connected smart home kit.

• Read more: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max review

4. Nvidia Shield TV

Nvidia’s aluminium streaming cylinder sits quietly beneath your TV. More distinctive is its Toblerone remote, with a triangular design that stands apart from other plasticky zappers. It feels good in the hand and features all the physical buttons we needed. We think the absence of a 3.5mm headphone port is a shame, though.

Powerful processor specs make streaming 4K content a stutter-free experience. Support for HDR10, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos means the Shield TV plays nice with swanky home cinema systems, serving up stunningly detailed content. It doesn’t work with HLG though, so 4K HDR from BBC iPlayer poses problems.

Feed in 1080p content from a variety of sources – such as Netflix, Amazon Prime or YouTube – and the Shield TV will use AI to enhance the detail in a scene. We found it’s very effective at boosting quality for high-res displays, though you may need to tweak sensitivity to avoid over-sharpening.

It also does a cracking job as a gaming machine. Thanks to its Android TV interface, you can play Android games natively on the Shield itself, but you can also bring your rig into the mix. Streaming from Steam works well, though results vary depending on your network speed and graphics card.

If all you need is easy streaming, the Shield TV is overkill. But if you have the TV and audio setup to take advantage of its Dolby Vision and Atmos support – plus a decent PC and internet connection for gaming – Nvidia’s plug-in stick is a compellingly versatile streaming solution.

• Read more: Nvidia Shield TV review

5. Apple TV 4K

Apple’s updated 4K TV box is only an incremental improvement over the original, but that still makes it one of the best streamers you can buy. Its chip is zippy, while an HDMI 2.1 port boosts 4K HDR frame rates to a slicker 60fps. Wi-Fi 6 improves connectivity too, with a noticeable bump in speed and stability.

We like the refreshed Siri Remote, which is beefier than before but remains a polished controller. It also comes complete with a universal power button that can zap both your TV and your home cinema.

When it comes to content, all your favourite apps are there – from Netflix to Prime Video to Disney+. And they all support 4K HDR, Dolby Vision and Atmos. Apple Music’s Spatial Audio works well, too. Watchers with AirPods (3rd generation), AirPods Pro or AirPods Max can also enjoy Atmos content with dynamic head tracking.

We found the picture quality to be excellent, even in definitions lower than 4K. Full HD shows get help from HDR processing. The Colour Balance feature, meanwhile, uses your iPhone’s camera and light sensor to optimise your screen’s saturation against ‘industry standards’. It’s not Dolby Vision, but it’s neat.

The Apple TV 4K is undeniably pricier than most streaming devices. But Apple fans won’t find a more convenient 4K media hub: from Apple Arcade to iTunes to AirPlay, the box brings it all together seamlessly.

If you do opt for the Apple TV, make sure to check out Stuff‘s guide to the best Apple TV apps you’ll actually use.

• Read more: Apple TV 4K review

6. Roku Express 4K

For a tenner less than Roku’s Streaming Stick 4K, the Express 4K is an impressive yet accessible way to consume 4K content. It’s feature-packed, yet undercuts every 4K streamer in this list.

Not one to hide behind your box, the dinky domed receiver goes beneath your TV. While its plastic finish reflects the price tag, setup is a cinch. We found Roku OS 10’s tile-based interface is clean and responsive, with a wealth of watching options. The app list is comprehensive, featuring every major streaming platform, including Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV, Disney+ and more. All that’s missing is a proper content hub. While ‘My Feed’ allows you to follow your favourite shows, it doesn’t pull together suggestions as seamlessly as some rivals.

Navigation is straightforward with the simple remote, which features four channel shortcuts. What UK users don’t get is a volume rocker. Nor does it have a built-in microphone for voice control, unlike the zapper shipped with the Streaming Stick 4K. That said, you can talk to your Roku via the free smartphone app. Voice functionality isn’t as smart as the likes of Alexa, but it’s useful for swiftly loading shows.

Provided your TV has an HDMI 2.2 port, the Express 4K can serve up 4K HDR video at 60fps. It also plays nice with HDR10/10+ and HLG for maximum streaming compatibility. Quality is reliably excellent: vibrant, detailed and lag-free. With Apple AirPlay compatibility and Dolby Atmos passthrough for cinematic sound, the Roku Express 4K delivers outstanding bang for buck.

7. Amazon Fire TV Stick

Whether your Wi-Fi is fettered or your TV tops out at 1080p, not everyone needs a 4K streamer. And for Full HD streaming, Amazon’s standard Fire TV Stick is a stellar all-rounder. It’s not the cheapest stick in the Fire TV family: that honour goes to the Lite version, which costs a little less. But the extra tenner gets you TV controls and Dolby Atmos support, which make the Fire TV Stick Amazon’s Goldilocks option.

Slightly smaller than the 4K-flavoured version, the Fire TV Stick is likewise a plug-and-play streamer that belongs in one of your TV’s HDMI ports. It’s 50% faster than the previous generation – and 50% more power efficient.

We like the familiar interface, which is neat and easy to navigate, albeit dominated by Amazon content – not necessarily a bad thing, provided you’re a Prime subscriber. You also get access to all of the usual apps, including Netflix and Disney+, although there’s no Now TV.

Alexa integration is better than ever, with voice control proving a genuine time-saver. The updated remote also features four platform shortcuts, plus a clearer Alexa button and an additional layer of dedicated controls for powering on and adjusting the volume of compatible A/V equipment.

4K might be off the menu, but Full HD streaming looks lovely. Pictures are ace at 60fps, with no lag or buffering issues. HDR support is a nice touch, boosting colour and contrast for a more realistic picture, while Dolby Atmos will be a welcome bonus for streamers with a home cinema setup.

• Read more: Amazon Fire TV Stick review

8. Sky Stream

The satellite TV is dead, long live the set-top box. Sky has hinted that it could be phasing out the humble satellite dish as the company transitions to set-top box and its dedicated streaming service, Sky Stream.

Sky Stream launched as a rival to Roku and an all-in-one home for entertainment, sports and more. It includes Sky Entertainment and a Netflix membership included in the £24 per month subscription, available when signing up for an 18-month contract.

Sky Stream comes with a ‘puck’, which is a small square device that fits in the palm of a hand. Set-up is easy, with the puck plugging into any TV with an HDMI port to access the same features that come with a Sky Glass set. That includes Sky Entertainment, Netflix originals and up to 150 live channels such as BBC and ITV. Sky also has a deal with HBO to exclusively air their TV shows in the UK until 2025. That includes Game of Thrones, Euphoria, Succession and The Last of Us TV adaptation, all shown through Sky Atlantic.

We found extra costs can easily add up when it comes to Sky, though. Sport costs extra, of course, with access to 11 Sky Sports channels available for £44 a month. Want to skip the adverts? That’s an extra £5. Want to view in Sky Ultra HD and with Dolby Atmos? That’s another fiver. Compared to the Netflixes and Amazon Primes of this world, that’s a pricey meatball.

• Read more: Sky Stream review

9. Amazon Fire TV Cube 3rd Gen

Technically a cuboid, Amazon’s binge-watching box is a winner for high-res TV addicts, and it’s the most powerful, fastest iteration yet, thanks to a faster octa-core processor, coupled with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage.

Specs aside, we find it visually more appealing too, with a soft fabric covering that’s easier on the eyes than its predecessor’s raw plastic finish. And while we’ve yet to review it (watch this space), we expect visuals to shine. As with all streaming devices, it won’t match the level of detail you’d get from 4K Blu-ray, mind, but material streamed from Netflix and Amazon Prime Video on the previous model look stunning, so we have high hopes. Support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+ also means you get the very latest visuals, too – as long as your Wi-Fi is quick enough.

On that note, the third-generation Fire TV Cube also has Wi-Fi 6E, for even faster network speeds. You’ll need a newer Wi-Fi 6 router to take advantage of it of course, but even if you don’t have one yet, it’s always nice to have a little built-in futureproofing. Round the back, connectivity is taken care of with a built-in ethernet port, along with both an HDMI input and output, with the former letting you control third-party equipment with your voice.

Forever losing the remote? With Alexa built into the box, one vocal request is all it takes to load up a show, navigate apps and even control your smart home. Certain functions won’t work with every set – such as input-switching with a Philips TV – and Alexa can’t dig out content from the likes of BBC iPlayer. All the same, the ability to control the television with your voice transforms the experience and makes the new Fire TV Cube into a true entertainment hub.

How to choose the best streaming device

Want to stream movies and TV but don’t know where to start? When buying a streaming device there are several things you’ll need to think about to make sure the streamer suits your needs and preferences.

The most important aspect you’ll want to consider is what content is available on that device. If you’ve got Netflix, Apple TV+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, or one of the many other streaming services, you have to make sure it’s available on the device you get, as some devices may not have access to certain platforms.

For more information on this check out Stuff‘s guide to the best streaming service in the UK.

Likewise, if you are already invested in a particular ecosystem, such as Apple or Android, you should get a streaming device that complements your existing devices and services. So, for example, if you’ve got an iPhone, Apple TV+ and Apple Music then an Apple TV makes perfect sense for seamless integration.

If you’re kitting out a home theatre, then you’ll obviously want the best resolution and performance. Many streaming sticks now pump out 4K Ultra HD, although some more affordable ones top out at Full HD (1080p). Of course, if you’re after the ultimate in performance, then you’ll also want a streamer with HDR10/10+ (for enhanced contrast and colour) and Dolby Atmos (for improved audio).

We’ve reviewed all of the streaming devices above and found all of the user interfaces intuitive and easy to navigate, but you might want to think about how you navigate the UI. Do you want another remote laying around, or are you happy to cast everything from your smartphone?

Some streaming devices also come with app support, allowing you to install news apps, games, and other types of entertainment. While this is nice to have, we found we rarely use these, so don’t make it a key deciding factor.

However, some streaming devices also have built-in voice assistants, which makes searching for content much easier, and Bluetooth, so you can turn your television into a Bluetooth speaker. We think these are definitely features worth looking out for.

• Read more: What is Google Ask Photos? New Google Photos AI search explained

1. Ask Photos

Google Photos is introducing a new experimental feature called Ask Photos, powered by Gemini AI models. Ask Photos allows users to search their photo library more intuitively, using natural language queries like “Show me the best photo from each national park I’ve visited.” Ask Photos also helps with tasks like curating trip highlights and generating captions — simply ask it for the best photos from your trip abroad, and it’ll instantly provide you with a curated selection of some of your best shots. And if your hats are of the tinfoil variety,  Google emphasises the privacy protections in place, noting that personal data is never used for ads and is safeguarded with industry-leading security measures. The Ask Photos feature will begin rolling out to users in the coming months.

2. Veo: AI-generated videos

Image generation has already blown minds with its rapid development over recent years, and the same appears to be on the horizon for video. At I/O 2024, Google unveiled Veo — a powerful new video generation model capable of creating high-quality 1080p videos over a minute long, in various cinematic styles. Veo has an advanced understanding of natural language and visual semantics, allowing it to accurately capture the tone and details of a prompt, while sticking to the laws of physics for realistic and natural motion. Very impressive indeed. Google is collaborating with filmmakers and creators to experiment with Veo and improve how they design, build and deploy the model to best support the creative storytelling process. Veo is currently available for select creators as a private preview, with plans to bring its magic to YouTube Shorts and other apps in future.

3. Imagen 3: Google’s best text-to-image model to date 

Google also unveiled Imagen 3, its most advanced text-to-image model to date, capable of whipping up highly detailed, photorealistic images with significantly fewer visual artefacts compared to previous versions. One thing we’re particularly looking forward to testing out, is the improvement in AI-rendered text within images, which is something that current models struggle with. If it works as well as advertised, it could open up a whole new world of content generation. Bespoke AI birthday cards, here we come.

4. Circle to Search rescues your homework

Circle to Search, a feature already available on various Pixel and Samsung devices, allows users to search for anything on their phone using a simple gesture without switching apps. AT I/O 2024, Google announced that it’s expanded Circle to Search’s capabilities to help students with homework directly from their mobile devices. By circling a challenging prompt, students can receive step-by-step instructions for solving physics and math word problems. Later this year, the feature will be enhanced to tackle more complex problems involving symbolic formulas, diagrams, and graphs, powered by LearnLM, Google’s new family of learning-focused models. Circle to Search is set to double its availability by the end of the year, potentially giving teachers some time to prepare for the onslaught of AI-generated homework.

5. Gemini on Android

Google is also enhancing its Gemini AI assistant on Android so that it can better understand the context of what’s being shown in the current app. and the app they are currently using. This generative AI-powered experience, which is integrated into the Android operating system, is set to become more versatile and user-friendly. Soon (a specific time frame hasn’t been specified), Android users will be able to access Gemini’s overlay on top of the app they are using, allowing for seamless interaction with the AI assistant, unlocking actions like dragging and dropping generated images into Gmail, Google Messages, and other apps. Gemini Advanced subscribers will also be able to take advantage of the “Ask this PDF”  feature, which automatically mines answers from PDF documents without the need to scroll through multiple pages. This update is expected to roll out over the next few months. Lastly, Google is also testing a new AI-powered feature which could detect red flags during phone calls, warning you if it sounds like the person you’re speaking to could be a scammer.

6. Gemini for Google Search

A new Gemini model, customised for Google Search, combines advanced capabilities like multi-step reasoning and planning, with Google’s existing search systems. In other words, it’s Google Search, but better. AI Overviews — a Labs feature which provides quick answers and overviews to user queries by curating sources from multiple sites — is now rolling out to everyone in the US, with plans to expand worldwide by the end of the year. Soon, users will be able to adjust AI Overviews by simplifying the language (useful for answering children’s queries), or breaking down the information in more detail. Google Search will also offer planning capabilities, starting with meals and vacations. Users can create customised meal plans and easily export them to Docs or Gmail, and later this year, additional categories like parties, date nights, and workouts will be added. 

7. Ask questions with a video

Ever dreamed of using AI to search through video content? Your time has come, thanks to the new Search with video feature. One example Google provides is using the video search feature to troubleshoot a broken record player. Instead of struggling to find the right words to describe the problem, the user can simply record a video of the record player’s unexpected behaviour, such as the metal piece with the needle drifting unexpectedly. Searching with video will be available soon for Search Labs users in English in the US, and will expand to more regions in the (hopefully) near future.

8. Gemini 1.5 Pro reads all the things

Google also unveiled Gemini 1.5 Pro, its most advanced AI model, to Gemini Advanced subscribers. Its main draw is its significantly expanded context window which starts at one million tokens, making it the longest of any widely available consumer chatbot worldwide. With such a lengthy context window, Gemini Advanced can comprehend multiple large documents totalling up to an impressive 1500 pages, or summarise 100 emails. In the near future, it will also be capable of processing an hour of video content or codebases exceeding 30,000 lines.

To fully utilise this extensive context window, Gemini Advanced now allows users to upload files directly from their devices or via Google Drive. This feature enables users to quickly obtain answers and insights from dense documents, such as understanding the specifics of a pet policy in a rental agreement, or comparing key arguments from multiple lengthy research papers. It can even create custom visualisations and charts, based off of information from spreadsheets.

9. A real Gem

Google I/O 2024 also introduced a new feature for Gemini Advanced subscribers called Gems, which will let users to create personalised versions of the Gemini AI assistant. With Gems, users can tailor their AI companion to suit their specific needs and preferences, whether they’re looking for a gym buddy, sous chef, coding partner, or creative writing guide, to name but a few optimistic examples. Users simply need to describe what they want their Gem to do and how they want it to respond. You could, for example, request, “You’re my running coach, give me a daily running plan and be positive, upbeat and motivating.” Gemini will then take these instructions and, with a single click, enhance them to create a Gem that meets your requirements.

10. Turbocharged Gmail

The Gmail mobile app also has an exciting update on the way which is, you guessed it, Gemini related. The new Gemini icon in Gmail will offer helpful options, such as summarising emails, listing the next steps, or suggesting replies. Users can also use the open prompt box for more specific requests, like finding a particular document or asking for discussion questions for an upcoming meeting.

• Read more: Google Pixel 9 preview: specs, release date and everything we know

• Read more: Google Pixel 8a preview: specs, release date and everything we know

Google I/O 2024: watch now

Here’s what was announced at Google I/O 2024:

Features

What is Google Ask Photos? the new Google Photos AI search explained

Gemini-based AI search coming to Google Photos later in 2024

19 May 2024 / 06:00 BST19 May 2024 / 07:10 BST

Features

10 things we learned from Google I/O 2024

All the tantalising announcements from Google’s Big Tech Show — aka, AI In Everything

14 May 2024 / 19:53 BST14 May 2024 / 19:53 BST

Our original article continues below

The Google I/O keynote starts at10am PT local for Google on America’s West Coast, which is 1pm ET on the other side of the US, and 6pm BST in the UK. Things typically last for around a couple of hours, so tune in with us. If you’d rather check the live stream out via YouTube, that’s cool too. You’ll find it on Google’s YouTube page, where there will also be a version available in American Sign Language for accessibility. Anyone who’s really into Google will also find it easy to stream other sessions and talks from Google I/O 2024. The opening keynote is the main draw for most people, but there’s a full programme running from 14-15 May, and anyone registered with the Big G as a developer can stream along.

You’ll find a handy big ‘Register’ button in the top right-hand corner of the official Google I/O website, where the opening shindig is also being aired in its entirety.

Join us to watch all the action unfold, but if you don’t have time, check back after the event for all the latest news and easy-to-understand analysis from the show, which we’ll be covering in full. In the meantime…

Google I/O 2024: what we expect to see

One of the only guaranteed hardware announcements we expect to see at I/O will be the long-awaited Pixel 8a, which, from everything we know so far, is shaping up to be one of the best-value handsets of the year. The Pixel ‘a’ range has long been praised for delivering a pure, long-updated Android experience with quality camera hardware and the latest Google features to boot, and we expect this year to be no different.

Android 15 will also, unsurprisingly, take up a fair chunk of stage time at Google I/O 2024. Currently available in beta, it includes all manner of new features focused on productivity, privacy, and security. And, of course, this leads us on to the topic of AI — a trend that refuses to slow down its momentum.

We could see updates on Google Gemini (formerly Bard), and we’re hoping to see some powerful new functionality that brings the fight straight to the likes of ChatGPT et al. Improvements to existing AI features like Circle to Search could also be on the cards. CSS Insight’s Principal Analyst & Director Americas, Leo Gebbie believes that “AI will be the major theme for Google I/O and we expect updates from every part of the business, focusing on how Google’s Gemini platform will become more integrated across the board. With Google I/O taking place just ahead of WWDC, Google will be keen to get ahead of Apple in terms of explaining why Google has a stronger position in AI given its extensive investment in Gemini. It will also be interesting to see whether Google transitions Google Assistant to Gemini Assistant given all the chatbot capabilities that Gemini offers combined with Google’s desire to keep building the Gemini brand.”

In addition, we could see a teaser for the next-gen Pixel Fold, and/or an update on the Wear OS smartwatch front, with some other surprises thrown in for good measure. Join us at kickoff on 14 May, and we’ll be sure to update you with all the latest news, as it happens.

• Read more: I think the Google Pixel 8a is the best value phone in 2024, and it’s not even close