Google Makes First Major Chromecast Update Since 2015

By Daniel Frankel
published

With its Chromecast losing market share in the OTT device market, Google has announced its first major product update since 2015.

The third-generation Chromecast iteration isn’t radically different from Gen 2. 

The new hockey-puck-style Chromecast will be available in matte white and black—as opposed to glossy white and black.

Related: Android TV Dongle for Developers Does 4K, HDR

The processing speed, meanwhile, is said to be 15% faster, enabling the device to handle 1080p resolution at 60 frames per second. The predecessor could only do 720p at 60fps.

And later this year, the new $35 third-generation Chromecast will get a firmware upgrade that will let it perform like Chromecast Audio and let you play music in sync with other speakers connected to Google’s smart devices.

Chromecast connects directly to a monitor’s HDMI port and has no remote control—users port over video from a wide assortment of compatible OTT apps from their smart phone.

It’s perhaps the most affordable living room OTT solution on the market. But as the Parks Associates graphic released in late May shows, Chromecast has been steadily losing market share to Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV. 

Daniel Frankel
Daniel Frankel

Daniel Frankel is the managing editor of Next TV, an internet publishing vertical focused on the business of video streaming. A Los Angeles-based writer and editor who has covered the media and technology industries for more than two decades, Daniel has worked on staff for publications including E! Online, Electronic Media, Mediaweek, Variety, paidContent and GigaOm. You can start living a healthier life with greater wealth and prosperity by following Daniel on Twitter today!