Google unveiled the second-generation media streaming device Chromecast 2015 and Chromecast Audio, a device that can play audio via speakers controlled from a smartphone, on September 29. While Google has two different models this year, one for audio and the other for audio, video, and apps, it turns out the two Chromecast devices have remarkably similar hardware.
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Although the new Chromecast wasn’t advertised to support 4K video, Google did say it planned to add new features in the near future.
“I am very excited to see the successful launch of Google’s Chromecast 2.0 and Chromecast Audio”. For $35, you’re getting a little dongle, ideal for streaming content from your PC, Android phone or tablet directly on your TV set.
As iFixit can do, they’ve exposed another new high-tech tool for their full teardown method. This time, it is Google Chromecast 2015 and Chromecast Audio. According to iFixit, there’s a good reason for the design change.
Spec-wise, the new Google Chromecast is powered by a dual-core ARM Cortex-A7 processor, made by Marvell, 4 GB of RAM, from Samsung, and finally, 2 GB of flash memory, provided by Toshiba. Given that a broken plug or loose cable is probably the one part of the device that’s most likely cause problems for people, that’s reassuring news. It also looks like the HDMI cable in the video Chromecast is plenty tough, while also being internally detachable.
Though not widely prevalent, one of the more common issues original Chromecast owners experienced involved the device overheating and stopping transmission mid-stream.
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The adaptive antenna array was found to be attached to the motherboard, featuring three integrated PIFA antennas. iFixit also noted that the two dongles were almost the same internally, both using baby blue thermal paste, with an LED indicator and a reset button in the bottom half.
