Last year, as the COVID-19 pandemic pushed millions of people to work from home and in quarantine (and hopefully they still are), Google took advantage of the flexibility of Android TV to bring in Google Duo on the platform. Now there is a dedicated Android TV box with a built-in camera designed to make Google Duo a snap.
The “Mecool Now” is a Google certified Android TV box that has just been launched with support for Google’s platform and apps, as well as cooking in a dedicated camera for Duo calls. The camera is installed on a pivot for more privacy and the box even has a dedicated button to answer calls. There is also a tripod mount at the bottom of the box for easy positioning.
To make the video calling experience even better on this box, a dedicated button, like the Netflix button on other remotes, for Google Duo. The included remote control also has “Air Mouse” functionality so that you can easily use applications that are not directly designed for use with a remote control. Mecool mentions the support for Zoom, but in particular the support for the webcam of Android TV often only works correctly with Duo. We will be testing this device ourselves in the coming weeks to let us know if it works.
If you are planning to get the Mecool Now, there is one specific point you should keep in mind. Like the KM3 box we reviewed earlier this year, the Now doesn’t support Netflix, so you’ll look to HBO Max, Disney +, YouTube, and other services for streaming content. Notably, Prime Video is supported. The device is also certified by Google, so it comes with the Play Store.
The Mecool Now is available today for around $ 145, direct from the Mecool website in the US and EU.
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