New Chromecast and Chromecast Audio devices launched by Google

As expected during the live event today, Google launched the second generation Chromecast device and added the new Chromecast Audio device to the line. Google says the new Chromecast device will bring some significant improvements to the casting experience to match the growth they are seeing in the number of apps that supporting casting. These include content providers like the NBA, NHL, Showtime, and Google’s own Photos product.

The new, round Chromecast dongle comes with a new antenna system and support for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz wifi along with 802.11ac. Google says the device’s software will automatically adjust to the best available signal in order to provide better throughput with less buffering. Another change, besides the switch to a round form factor, is the flexible plug for the HDMI as Google recognizes the ports on TVs are getting filled up and they wanted to help consumers make it easy to hook up a new Chromecast.

The Chromecast Audio dongle is meant to mirror what Google did for hooking up TVs in the world of speakers. The Chromecast Audio is capable of being connected to any speaker via a 3.5mm audio jack, RCA jacks or optical input. Once hooked up, users will go through a similar setup process to get connected to their WiFi network. On the smartphone end, users will find it is just as easy to connect to a Chromecast Audio device as it is to cast to a regular Chromecast – just pick the name from a pop up list when you are ready to cast from a media app.

To go with the new hardware, Google has updated the Chromecast app. A big focus is on helping users with content discovery. The new What’s On tab will display a Play Store-esque listing of what they can watch by only pulling titles from apps a user has installed on their device. Although there will be some difference in search results, it is probably worth noting that when combined with Google’s voice search capabilities, the new search-enabled Chromecast app comes close to matching Gary Busey’s favorite feature found on Amazon’s Fire TV devices. Users will also find the Chromecast app itself has control buttons like pause and play, meaning it can function as a remote without a user having to tap into the source app for whatever is displaying.

Helping improve the user experience, Google is also adding technology to speed up the display of cast content. When users launch an app, like Netflix, the Chromecast will go ahead and preload that app rather than waiting for a user to hit the cast button. In similar manner, it will look ahead and what you are likely to watch, like recent titles, and start loading up the next episode. Google says this results in content starting up about 80% faster than with the first generation Chromecast.

Google indicates they are adding additional Backdrop feeds to Chromecast, including support for Facebook photos. They also announced support for Spotify is coming to the new version of the Chromecast and the Chromecast Audio and will eventually rollout to the first generation.

The new Chromecast devices are available in the Play Store starting today for $35 in 17 countries. The Chromecast is available in black, yellow or coral while the Chromecast Audio is available only in black, but with a grooved design reminiscent of a vinyl record.

You can check out Google’s new promotional video for their Chromecast below.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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