We’ve covered Walmart’s Onn streaming devices before because they are a solid alternative to more expensive Google TV products currently on the market. And it’s not all about the price that makes Onn more attractive, because it also offers solid performance with its products as well.
Unfortunately, prices were raised for these products along the way, with some even seeing stock shortages or even being pulled completely. AFTVnews spotted the Onn HD Streaming Stick missing from Walmart’s website, which could signal something new is on the horizon (via Android Authority).
Something new, but at what cost
We don’t mind getting new products, but the problem that we’ve seen all year is price increases due to the RAM and storage shortages. The HD Streaming Stick aims to be the budget offering in the Onn lineup, so it will be interesting to see what price point the brand can hit if it’s going to offer something new as a replacement.
While it’s not a guarantee that something new is launching, AFTVnews has been keeping tabs on Onn products, sharing that a new model recently passed through the FCC. Usually, when this happens, it means that it’s been cleared for sale in the US. However, that doesn’t give us a retail timeline for the product.
One interesting thing to note is that the device that’s in the FCC database doesn’t seem to offer any changes versus the outgoing model. AFTVnews highlights that the device is “identical” and even features the same model number as the one that’s been discontinued. The one change is that it’s built by a new manufacturer.
It’s unclear why, but this could just end up being a SKU change. Unlike products released by Apple, Google, and Samsung, there’s a pretty good chance we’re not going to get a press release surrounding this upcoming product launch if there is one. Like in the past, someone is going to just find the new model on store shelves, and at that point, we’ll know that it’s available.
Are there any alternatives?
The short answer is there really isn’t. Sure, you can probably find something from Amazon, but it won’t be running Google TV. That means you won’t get the same experience, and you won’t be able to tinker with it to make it better. So, if you like Google TV and want a device that’s on a budget, Onn is going to be the best choice right now.
