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The best Chromecast alternative is a streaming box many of us can’t buy

walmart onn 4k pro google tv streaming box
Credit: Walmart
Opinion post by
Rita El Khoury

For the first time in a while now, I find my consumerist self jealous of not living in the US. The reason? Walmart, and more specifically, the latest Walmart Google TV streaming box. The new onn 4K Pro box is, by far, one of the most exciting Google TV streamers launched in recent years and one of the best Chromecast alternatives out there. The only problem is that it’s available in the US, and… well, that’s it. We won’t be getting it in Europe or other countries either.

Walmart’s new onn box caught my eye ever since the first leaks started. Contrary to previous onn sticks and streaming devices, this one was clearly not aiming for the very low-end $20 market. Instead, it seemed packed to the brim with features and specs that just made me look sideways at my 4K Chromecast and sigh, “Why not you?”

Walmart confirms its ‘Pro’ Google TV streamer is landing this month

Walmart Onn 4K Google TV Box and remote
Credit: Walmart
  • Walmart confirmed its new 4K Google TV streaming box will launch this month.
  • The Onn Pro will go on sale for $49.88.

Details about Walmart’s new 4K Google TV streaming box first emerged just last month after a listing was spotted on the Bluetooth SIG website. Since then, some people have already managed to get their hands on the device early. Now Walmart has confirmed a launch window for the Onn Pro.

In a statement to 9to5Google, Walmart revealed it will be launching the Onn Pro soon. No exact date was given, but the company did say that the device will be available to everyone “this month.” It was also confirmed that the streaming box will go on sale for $49.88.

Walmart confirms its ‘Pro’ Google TV streamer is landing this month

Walmart Onn 4K Google TV Box and remote
Credit: Walmart
  • Walmart confirmed its new 4K Google TV streaming box will launch this month.
  • The Onn Pro will go on sale for $49.88.

Details about Walmart’s new 4K Google TV streaming box first emerged just last month after a listing was spotted on the Bluetooth SIG website. Since then, some people have already managed to get their hands on the device early. Now Walmart has confirmed a launch window for the Onn Pro.

In a statement to 9to5Google, Walmart revealed it will be launching the Onn Pro soon. No exact date was given, but the company did say that the device will be available to everyone “this month.” It was also confirmed that the streaming box will go on sale for $49.88.

Walmart confirms its ‘Pro’ Google TV streamer is landing this month

Walmart Onn 4K Google TV Box and remote
Credit: Walmart
  • Walmart confirmed its new 4K Google TV streaming box will launch this month.
  • The Onn Pro will go on sale for $49.88.

Details about Walmart’s new 4K Google TV streaming box first emerged just last month after a listing was spotted on the Bluetooth SIG website. Since then, some people have already managed to get their hands on the device early. Now Walmart has confirmed a launch window for the Onn Pro.

In a statement to 9to5Google, Walmart revealed it will be launching the Onn Pro soon. No exact date was given, but the company did say that the device will be available to everyone “this month.” It was also confirmed that the streaming box will go on sale for $49.88.

Chromecast killer? Walmart’s leaked 4K box could be the ultimate streaming device

walmart onn 4k android tv box
Credit: Walmart
  • YouTuber SuperDell-TV got his hands on Walmart’s unreleased Onn 4K Pro Google TV box.
  • The leaked device features powerful specs, Dolby Vision/Atmos support, and hands-free functionality.
  • While Walmart hasn’t officially announced the Onn 4K Pro, its price could be around $50.

Google’s I/O conference might bring a new Chromecast with Google TV, but Walmart could steal the spotlight this year with a surprise contender, the Onn 4K Pro Google TV box.

YouTuber SuperDell-TV got his hands on Walmart’s upcoming streaming device, and the sneak peek reveals a fresh design, better specs, and a competitive price that could give Google a run for its money. (h/t: Android Police)

Walmart buys Vizio: A new OS, more advertising on your Walmart TV?

Walmart and Vizio

Credit: Walmart

  • Walmart has announced that it will acquire TV maker Vizio in a deal worth $2.3 billion.
  • The company will also acquire Vizio’s SmartCast OS for TVs as a result of this agreement.
  • This theoretically opens the door to Walmart’s TVs and streaming boxes running Vizio’s platform.


Walmart is already a significant player in the TV business, offering its cheap in-house Onn TVs and its own TV boxes. Now, the company has stepped up its game in a big way as it’s just announced the acquisition of TV brand Vizio.

Walmart announced the acquisition of Vizio in a joint press release, confirming that this was a deal worth $2.3 billion.

“The acquisition of Vizio and its SmartCast Operating System (OS) would enable Walmart to connect with and serve its customers in new ways including innovative television and in-home entertainment and media experiences,” the company explained in the release.

Walmart also noted that it expects this acquisition to provide a major boost for its advertising business. The company explained that the deal merges “Vizio’s advertising solutions business with Walmart’s reach and capabilities.”

The deal is subject to regulatory approval and Vizio also reserves the right to terminate the agreement “within a 45-day period” if it receives a “superior offer.”

What does this mean for consumers, though?

It’s not immediately clear what Walmart’s purchase of Vizio means for customers. But the deal does mean the supermarket giant now has its own in-house operating system for TVs, much like Amazon has Fire OS. Walmart already offers its Onn range of Roku-equipped TVs, so we can speculate that the company could switch from Roku to Vizio’s operating system for these products.

Walmart also offers a range of Onn streaming gadgets running the Google TV platform. We’re not so sure about the prospect of the retail chain bringing the SmartCast OS to its streaming boxes. On the one hand, offering this OS on its TV streaming gadgets could theoretically give Walmart a bigger slice of any advertising pie compared to sharing revenue with Google. Then again, it might entail some work to get SmartCast running on a TV box in the first place.

Interestingly, the joint press release also mentions Vizio letting users stream content for free by watching ads. So it stands to reason that the combined Vizio and Walmart could double down on this ad-supported approach to streaming.

Walmart buys Vizio: A new OS, more advertising on your Walmart TV?

Walmart and Vizio
Credit: Walmart
  • Walmart has announced that it will acquire TV maker Vizio in a deal worth $2.3 billion.
  • The company will also acquire Vizio’s SmartCast OS for TVs as a result of this agreement.
  • This theoretically opens the door to Walmart’s TVs and streaming boxes running Vizio’s platform.

Walmart is already a significant player in the TV business, offering its cheap in-house Onn TVs and its own TV boxes. Now, the company has stepped up its game in a big way as it’s just announced the acquisition of TV brand Vizio.

Walmart announced the acquisition of Vizio in a joint press release, confirming that this was a deal worth $2.3 billion.

Walmart buying TV-brand Vizio for its ad-fueling customer data

Close-up of Vizio logo on a TV

Enlarge (credit: Vizio)

Walmart announced an agreement to buy Vizio today. Irvine, California-based Vizio is best known for lower-priced TVs, but its real value to Walmart is its advertising business and access to user data.

Walmart said it's buying Vizio for approximately $2.3 billion, pending regulatory clearance and additional closing conditions. Vizio can also terminate the transaction over the next 45 days if it accepts a better offer, per the announcement.

Walmart will keep selling non-Vizio TVs should the merger close, Seth Dallaire, Walmart US's EVP and CRO who would manage Vizio post-acquisition, told The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

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