A new Chromecast device with Google TV, codenamed 'Boreal', will launch later this year with AV1 video decoding, according to a report by 9to5Google.
Update: Protocol has chimed in saying that it is a low-end 'Chromecast HD with Google TV'. It is said to be based on an Amlogic S805X2 CPU and Mali-G31 GPU with 1080p60 support only, AV1 decoding, and 2GB RAM. It is likely to sell for $40 or less.
2022 Chromecast
9to5Google has found references to a device codenamed 'Boreal' in Google's software, which they believe is a new Chromecast device. The site previously found references to a device called 'Sabrina', which turned out to the current Chromecast with Google TV.

The site has heard that Google is planning to launch the second-generation Google TV device later this year. It is not clear if it is a replacement or a higher-end configuration.


 The current Chromecast with Google TV from 2020. Photo: FlatpanelsHD

One feature that is certain to make it to any new Google TV device is AV1 video decoding. AV1 is the new royalty-free video codec that is backed by Amazon, Apple, Google, Microsoft, Netflix and others. Since April 2021, Google has required all newly launched Google TV devices to support AV1.

Not much else is known but we hope Google will prioritize faster hardware and more storage. These were some of FlatpanelsHD's main concerns in terms of hardware in our review of 2020 Chromecast.

- Source: 9to5Google, Protocol