Second-gen Google Chromecast is "just around the corner"

by Mark Tyson on 18 September 2015, 10:31

Tags: Google (NASDAQ:GOOG)

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All-things-Google obsessed website 9-to-5 Google has obtained documents said to provide details of a second generation Google Chromecast. The device, referred to in the documents as the 'new Chromecast' sports an all new shape, faster Wi-Fi and other media friendly features.

When Google launched the Chromecast over two years ago its popularity caught the company by surprise. Since that time there has been ever increasing support for the streaming device and new Casting features brought in software updates from Google. A couple of months ago Google launched the Chromecast Ethernet and PSU adapter – targeting what is often considered to be the Chromecast's weakest link – its Wi-Fi performance.

The news from 9-to-5 Google is that the new Chromecast will seek to improve the Wi-Fi connectivity functionality, not with a wired connection, but most likely with support for the faster 802.11ac band. A new feature of the updated device is called 'Fast Play', which it is thought will improve responsiveness when browsing and switching streams/shows. 9-to-5 Google reckons that Fast Play could be the best feature, improving the experience offered by the device. One further trumpeted new feature is support for 'content feeds' on the Chromecast homescreen.

Chromecast Audio streaming extends your device's functionality to playing "high-quality" audio to any speaker or audio system in your home, thanks to what looks like a simple audio connection cable.

It is expected that the new Chromecast will share the stage as the two new Nexus smartphones at Google's 29th September event. 9-to-5 Google says that the new device will be priced similarly to Google's first generation HDMI streaming stick.



HEXUS Forums :: 12 Comments

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Looks good. Love my chromecast - one of my best tech buys in a while. Its turned an old LCD tv in the bedroom that we've lost the remote for into a smart TV for £30! As I've just upgraded to basic AC wireless this might well be another purchase…
oooh a new chromecast…. maybe they've fixed the annoying hump which makes it hard to fit next to other cables in close together sockets….no, looks like they've made it even bigger, it's as if they don't want people to buy it lol
LSG501
oooh a new chromecast…. maybe they've fixed the annoying hump which makes it hard to fit next to other cables in close together sockets….no, looks like they've made it even bigger, it's as if they don't want people to buy it lol

Use the supplied cable and some self adhesive velcro?
DanceswithUnix
LSG501
oooh a new chromecast…. maybe they've fixed the annoying hump which makes it hard to fit next to other cables in close together sockets….no, looks like they've made it even bigger, it's as if they don't want people to buy it lol

Use the supplied cable and some self adhesive velcro?
but we shouldn't need to, the lump doesn't actually help anything and no other ‘streaming stick’ does this design. Plus every thing I've tried doesn't stick to the back of my tv, they all fall off after a while.
My Chromecast is about the only useful televisual device in the household, including the Virgin TiVo box. I always have my mobile phone on me, and it has the best interface for a remote control.

I can queue up a bunch of YouTube vids for the boy and go and do something else, and pause it whereever I am. Brilliant. Great iPlayer device, again from the phone I can use a decent UI instead of a crappy remote control UI (Virgin TiVo, I'm looking at you here).

And it was free with a streaming series purchase.

I think the hump/circle design is to accommodate Google's antenna design. Look at that home hub they released - that has a circular antenna too. The short HDMI extender cable works fine for me.