With the KD3 Google TV stick, Mecool has launched an alternative to Google's Chromecast. It is Netflix certified and has AV1 decoding for 4K60 video streaming.

Mecool Google TV stick
Amazon, Roku and Google have in recent years introduced streaming sticks – or dongles – as a cheaper alternative to more capable boxes like the Nvidia Shield and Apple TV 4K.

Google is also letting partners put Google TV on a stick and just a few months after Realme entered the arena, Mecool has launched its Google TV stick for $80 dollars. It is available now from Amazon.com and internationally from the company's own web shop.



"Timely OTA updates"
The stick runs Google TV (Android 11), which provides access to streaming services such as Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Netflix and YouTube. It supports 4K HDR (HDR10 and HLG) as well as AV1 video decoding.

Mecool is also promising "timely OTA updates" – something Google's Chromecast, which is still running Android 10, lacks.

 Also read: New Chromecast device with Google TV and AV1 rumored to launch in 2022

The Mecool KD3 looks like a capable streaming stick but the hardware and limited storage capacity will set limitations. It is powered by the Amlogic S905Y4 SoC with 2GB RAM and 8 GB of storage of which a portion will be reserved for the operating system.

It comes with a remote control with four sponsored buttons.

Mecool KD3 Google TV stick – specifications
CPU: 64-bit quad-core ARM® Cortex A35
GPU: ARM G31 MP2 
SDRAM: 2GB LPDDR4
FLASH: 8GB EMMC
WiFi: 2.4G/5G 2T2R 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth: BT5.0
OS: Google TV based on Android 11

Video decoder:
– AV1 [email protected] up to 4Kx2K@60fps
– VP9 Profile-2 up to 4Kx2K@60fps
– H.265 HEVC [email protected] up to 4Kx2K@60fps
– AVS2-P2 Profile up to 4Kx2K@60fps
– H.264 AVC [email protected] up to 4Kx2K@30fps         

HDR:
Supports HDR10, HLG HDR processing
 FlatpanelsHD