The Chromecast app is completely redesigned and is now available in Google Play and iTunes. Google has also beefed up its library of content with several new apps, including Showtime and soon, Sling TV. According to the Chromecast team, t worked with the Google OnHub team to design the Chromecast’s new antenna structure.
Advertisement
Next is the Chromecast Audio, it focuses more on audio streaming unlike the new Chromecast that focuses more on videos. (Lemonade and Coral are exclusive to the Google Store.) But one might wonder…what is the point of having the device in optional colors if you won’t seem them anyway? In the meantime, follow our event liveblog for all the latest news. “Fast Play” speeds up the launching of streams on the Chromecast which should be a distinct improvement over the relative slow loading times of the original Chromecast. Chromecast Audio is priced at $35. And it’s available from today.
Google announced that more content is on its way to the Chromecast. It connects through a 3.5mm audio cable – your basic aux cord, same as you use to plug in your headphones to a phone or auto – but supports RCA and optical cables, for those with fancier speaker setups.
The Chromecast app also got an upgrade, with a new “What’s On” feature that shows you content from the apps you have installed on your phone.
Chromecast Audio will also support multi-room streaming at a few point in the future, but it feels however, like a bit of a homebrew work-around. Users plug the device into a speaker’s audio input, then can use their smartphones to control Chromecast-compatible apps such as Spotify or Google Play Music.
Advertisement
Google scored a hit with its first Chromecast streaming stick which was released in 2013, the HDMI dongle has sold millions of units across the globe and people had high hopes from the second-generation Chromecast. The price is staying the same at only $35 for either model and you can snag the Audio model in black or the regular Chromecast in Black, Red or Yellow.
