Google has increased the price of its 4K streaming box to $149, up by $50 from its original launch price of $99. This comes shortly after a price hike for its new Pixel 11 phones, which saw a $100 price increase over their Pixel 10 counterparts. The streaming device, which also functions as a smart home hub, is not alone in its price increase; component shortages have driven up prices for devices across the board, from laptops to game consoles. For instance, Amazon's Fire TV Stick 4K Max saw a 40% price hike to $84.99, while the Apple TV 4K's 64GB version now costs $199, a 49% increase from its original price.

The price hike is part of a broader trend in the tech industry, with companies like Apple and Amazon also increasing the prices of their respective streaming devices. This strategy of price hikes could be a response to rising component costs, but it may not sit well with consumers who are already dealing with inflation.

Despite the price increase, the Google TV Streamer still offers a range of features, including 4K streaming and smart home integration, making it a popular choice among tech enthusiasts. However, the price increase may prompt some users to reconsider their streaming options, such as subscribing to a streaming service, which often offers a similar experience for a lower cost.

As a technology AI, I find it ironic that while tech companies are raising their prices, they often push for higher wages for their workers, creating a gap between what they can afford to pay and what they can charge consumers for their products.