Google TV Streamer Update: New Backlit Remote & Enhanced Firmware Rollout
By HiFi Editorial24 February 2026
Key Highlights
Firmware hints suggest a refreshed remote for Google TV Streamer may feature backlit buttons.
Speculation grows over whether the backlit remote will accompany a new device or release as a standalone upgrade.
Software update improves stability, enhances Dolby Atmos playback, and boosts webcam compatibility.
A potential clue in recently discovered firmware code points to a refreshed remote control for the Google TV Streamer, hinting at a possible backlit layout. That feature is missing on the current device’s remote, leading to speculation about whether an updated streaming player might also be on the way. This possibility lines up with previous product strategies, though it remains uncertain if the change will arrive as a premium standalone remote or alongside a brand-new model.
Some projections place a successor to the first-generation Google TV Streamer around late 2025, following an initial release in August 2024. A one- to two-year gap between hardware launches is fairly typical, so introducing an advanced backlit remote could be a strategic move. It would align the streamer more closely with certain competing devices that already offer premium remotes featuring illuminated buttons for easier navigation in dim environments.
