Google's 'Sabrina' Android TV dongle spotted on Canadian database

It has been rumoured that Google is developing a new Android TV dongle with the codename Sabrina. It was recently spotted on the US' FCC site. And now, it's been seen on Canada's certification site, suggesting the launch is imminent. The devices with codenames GZRNL and G9N9N are said to be the TV dongle and possibly its remote control, respectively.

An earlier leak reports the TV dongle will run on an Amlogic S905X2 processor, which uses four ARM Cortex-A53 cores and an ARM Mali-G31 MP2 GPU. It will supposedly support up to 4K videos, HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision standards. It is also expected to support Auto Low-Latency Mode and Stadia gaming. 

Source: MySmartPrice

Google's rumoured Android TV dongle could launch soon

Google is rumoured to be launching a new Android TV dongle to be the Chromecast Ultra's successor. Codenamed Sabrina, it appeared at the FCC, which suggests the official launch could happen soon. The FCC filings show two new Google devices with model numbers GZRNL and G9N9N. The former is an "Interactive Media Streaming Device, while the latter is described as a "Wireless Device" on the FCC website. Based on the descriptions, GZRNL could be "Sabrina," while G9N9N could be its remote control. As expected, the filings don't share critical details about the device, except for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

The leak back in June revealed that the TV dongle will run on an Amlogic S905X2 processor, which uses four ARM Cortex-A53 cores and an ARM Mali-G31 MP2 GPU. It will supposedly support up to 4K videos, HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision standards. It is also expected to support Auto Low-Latency Mode and Stadia gaming. Google is set to launch the Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 on September 30. So, there's a possibility we'll see Sabrina then.

Source: Android Central

YouTube Music gets new features, including Google Assistant recommendations on Nest speakers

Google is integrating YouTube Music more into its ecosystem. Now, the streaming app gains new features for Google Assistant, Android TV, and Google Maps.

Google Assistant on newer Nest speakers can now recommend music. All you need to say is, "Hey Google, play recommended music from YouTube Music." It will then offer personalized music suggestions, like favourite artists and genres, based on your listening history. The same feature won't work on Google Home devices, though.

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YouTube Music gets Android TV integration through YouTube app

It's a solution, but a hastily put together one, it seems. YouTube Music comes to Android TV through a server-side update that introduces a new Music tab in the app with YouTube Music's logo on it. It shows a lot of your regular YouTube recommendations and the content taken from your account. You'll get access to things like "Your likes" and playlists you've subscribed to, "Your mix," "Discover mix," some genre and mood stations, your playlists, artists stations based on your listening habits, and recommended playlists. And it has an instant playback function that starts when you highlight a mix, playlist or artist station. 

Beyond that, though, it's basic integration, lacking a lot of features that would be better introduced through a dedicated YouTube Music app. It doesn't offer background playback, shuffle or repeat, audio/video toggle, playlist management, full library access including to your uploaded music, and synchronized lyrics. Here's to hoping Google fixes these lapses and give its subscribers a better app to work with.

Source: Android Police