Vizio Announces $99 Google TV Set-Top Box

HDTV maker Vizio on Tuesday introduced its first Google TV-powered set-top box product, which lets users experience live TV and streaming content and includes access to OnLive cloud gaming.

The new Vizio Co-Star Stream Player, which Vizio touts as "a smarter way to watch TV," provides access to apps through Google Play, streaming video and music, and full-screen Web browsing via Google Chrome with support for Adobe Flash Player and HTML5. The pocket-sized device can be connected to a user's cable or satellite TV box.

The Vizio Co-Star will be available for pre-orders next month at Vizio.com for $99.99, with an introductory free shipping offer.

The device boasts support for 1080p full HD, 3D entertainment, and wireless Internet access. It comes with a universal touchpad remote and keyboard, so users won't need to switch TV inputs or remotes to access alternative content.

Users can browse websites, search for streaming music and TV shows while simultaneously watching live TV through picture-in-picture technology. Besides accessing apps like Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, M-GO, YouTube and iHeartRadio, the Vizio Co-Star also lets users play games on demand through the OnLive's cloud gaming service.

"Our focus to deliver the best consumer experience continues with today's announcement of the Co-Star, which delivers a superior smart TV interface that anyone can add to their existing HDTV," Matt McRae, Vizio's chief technology officer, said in a statement. "We combined the powerful features of Google TV with an intuitive and easy to use interface, giving users the power to enjoy an entire world of entertainment."

Just yesterday, Sony announced a new $199.99 Google TV-powered set-top box called the NSZ-GS7, which will launch in the U.S. and U.K. on July 22.

Meanwhile, Vizio earlier this month launched a line of all-in-one desktops and laptops. For more on that, see: Mac Clone? Try 'World's Best Windows PC,' Vizio CTO Says.

About Our Expert

Angela Moscaritolo

Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

My Experience

I'm PCMag's managing editor for consumer electronics, overseeing an experienced team of analysts covering smart home, home entertainment, wearables, fitness and health tech, and various other product categories. I have been with PCMag for more than 10 years, and in that time have written more than 6,000 articles and reviews for the site. I previously served as an analyst focused on smart home and wearable devices, and before that I was a reporter covering consumer tech news. I'm also a yoga instructor, and have been actively teaching group and private classes for nearly a decade.

Prior to joining PCMag, I was a reporter for SC Magazine, focusing on hackers and computer security. I earned a BS in journalism from West Virginia University, and started my career writing for newspapers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The Technology I Use

My little Florida beach bungalow is brimming with smart home tech. I have a smart speaker or display in every room, allowing me to control other connected devices by voice. The Nest Hub on my bedside table lets me set wake-up alarms, control my smart light bulbs, and set the temperature on my smart thermostat. I use the Amazon Echo Show 8 on my kitchen counter to browse recipes, reorder protein powder, check the weather, and watch the news while I do dishes.

Because I suffer from allergies, air purifiers are essential. My favorite model is the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07, which doubles as a fan and continuously sends indoor pollution data to its companion mobile app.

My pitbull Bradley sheds, so a good robot vacuum is a must. I currently use a premium Ecovacs Deebot that can both vacuum and mop, empty its own dustbin, and wash its own mop cloth.

For fitness, I like to mix up my routine with cycling, indoor rowing, running, and strength training in addition to yoga. I take classes on the Tonal 2 smart strength training machine, I row indoors on an Aviron machine, and track my beach runs with an Apple Watch while listening to music on my Apple AirPods Pro. On the weekends, I love riding e-bikes like the rugged, beach-friendly Aventon Aventure for fun and fitness.

My job involves a lot of virtual meetings, so a quality webcam, microphone, and ring light are important. I use the Jabra PanaCast 20 webcam, the Elgato Wave: 3 microphone, and a Yesker tripod ring light.

As for my preferred phone platform, I'm an iPhone person, but I've also extensively used Android for product testing.

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