Google Discontinues Chromecast After a Decade of Success

Google has 'killed' this hardware product after 10-plus years and over 100 million units sold - Times of India

Google is ending production of its Chromecast streaming device after more than a decade on the market and over 100 million units sold worldwide. The tech giant will let existing inventory run out and is replacing the Chromecast lineup with a new Google TV Streamer. First introduced in 2013, the Chromecast allowed users to easily stream content from phones and computers to their televisions.The small, affordable dongle plugged directly into a TV's HDMI port and quickly became one of Google's most successful hardware products. "Technology has evolved dramatically since the launch of the original Chromecast," Majd Bakr, VP of Engineering, Health & Home at Google wrote in a blog post. Google says that its investments in embedding Google Cast technology into millions of TV devices and Android TV are the reasons for evolving beyond the Chromecast. Over its 11-year lifespan, the Chromecast line saw multiple generations and variants, including the Chromecast Audio and Chromecast Ultra. "We are taking the next step in evolving how streaming TV devices can add even more capabilities to your smart TV, built on top of the same Chromecast technology," Bakr wrote further, introducing the Google TV Streamer. Unlike the previous Chromecasts that have been casting dongles, the Google TV Streamer is more of a streaming-cum-smart home device. It features a processor 22% faster than the Chromecast with Google TV, as well as support for Thread and Matter smart home standards. While Google will no longer manufacture new Chromecast devices, it plans to continue providing software and security updates to newer models for the time being. The most recent Chromecast with Google TV was released in 2022. The TOI Tech Desk is a dedicated team of journalists committed to delivering the latest and most relevant news from the world of technology to readers of The Times of India. TOI Tech Desk's news coverage spans a wide spectrum across gadget launches, gadget reviews, trends, in-depth analysis, exclusive reports and breaking stories that impact technology and the digital universe. Be it how-tos or the latest happenings in AI, cybersecurity, personal gadgets, platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and more; TOI Tech Desk brings the news with accuracy and authenticity.

Google kills Chromecast, replaces it with Apple TV and Roku Ultra competitor

The rebranded device appears better in every way but the price. Google is discontinuing the Chromecast brand and pulling its Chromecast hardware off the market after 11 years, but it's not leaving the streaming device business. Rather, it's launching a new product called the Google TV Streamer that competes with high-end streaming boxes like the Apple TV or the Roku Ultra. The new device is not a direct replacement for the Chromecast dongles, though, as it has a different design and is substantially more expensive. Google is replacing 2020's $50 4K Chromecast with Google TV USB dongle with an HDMI set-top box that costs $100. Google is also discontinuing the HD-only Chromecast variant that launched at a lower $30 price point in 2022. It remains a possibility that Google will introduce a cheaper, HD-only version of this new set-top box, but we haven't heard anything about that just yet. The adage that you get what you pay for rings true, though, as the Google TV Streamer is superior to the Chomecast with Google TV in almost every way that matters. Further ReadingThe new device includes a processor that claims to be up to 22 percent faster than before, with twice as much RAM (4GB) and four times the storage (32GB). It supports 4K streaming at 60 fps with an HDMI 2.1a port. There's HDR support (Dolby Vision) and spatial audio (Dolby Atmos). The device adds several amenities that weren't available in the dongles, like an Ethernet port. However, it's important to note that it does not ship with an HDMI cable in the box, so you might need to buy one in addition to the $100 sticker price. (Many folks already have HDMI cables lying around, though, so that won't be a problem for everyone.) As you might expect, the new device is loaded with Google Gemini AI features. Google claims in a blog post that the Streamer can summarize or review TV episodes or even whole seasons for you on command and that it can build customized watchlists from recommendations for every member of your household. Google's AI powers content suggestions across the device's software. Announced alongside a new Nest Learning Thermostat, the Streamer is part of Google's initiative to revitalize interest in the Nest line of smart home products. As such, it works not just as a video streaming device but as a smart home hub, with Thread and Matter integration; you can use the Streamer to control either Google Home or Matter-compliant devices, such as cameras or thermostats. As for the Thread support, the Streamer includes a built-in Thread border router to improve connectivity. The Google TV Streamer began preorders today and starts shipping to buyers on September 26. Listing image by Google