Google's long-rumoured “Magic Button,” a customisable shortcut feature for Google TV, has finally surfaced, not on a Google device but rather on a remote for Walmart's upcoming Onn 4K Pro streaming box. This surprising development was first reported by AFTVnews, which obtained a preview of the still-unreleased device.
The Onn 4K Pro, a Google TV-powered streaming box, includes a new star button located in the top right corner of the remote, described as a “customisable button.” This feature allows users to programme the button as a shortcut to a favourite app or to switch TV inputs easily. This new button replaces the dedicated TV input button found on previous models of Onn streaming box remotes.
The evolution of Google's ‘Magic Button'
The concept of the Magic Button has been part of the Google TV ecosystem for some time, appearing initially in marketing materials for Google's first Chromecast TV back in 2020. It later showed up in Android TV beta code last year, hinting at its possible inclusion in a forthcoming Chromecast model. With Google's I/O developer conference scheduled for May 14th, there's speculation that a new Chromecast version featuring the Magic Button might be announced.
A closer look at the Onn 4K Pro
The Onn 4K Pro was unexpectedly revealed last week during a YouTube livestream by Superdell-TV. The device boasts a built-in smart speaker and “Pro” features such as support for Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision, 3GB of RAM, and 32GB of storage. Additionally, the remote features a prominent “Free TV” button that directs users to Google's FAST channels. While the Onn 4K Pro has not yet been listed on Walmart's website, the leaks indicate that an official release could be imminent.
