Google has announced the Version 2.0 of their Chromecast device, which was originally launched in 2013. Along with the new Chromecast 2.0 Google has also announced a new device called Chromecast Audio for all the music buffs, this lets users play music on any speakers through the internet. The new Chromecast 2.0 has come a long way from the original one, with one main upgrade being the introduction of a Chromecast App which removes the need of a remote or game controller to control the device.
With the help of Chromecast App you can use your device over the Wi-Fi and control what you want to watch on your TV through the Chromecast 2.0. The new Chromecast 2.0 comes with a HDMI cable built-in which makes it a lot easier to plug into your TV and the design has also seen a drastic change with the new device is round and not a stick like the older model. It is available in two new colors orange and yellow (coral and lemonade).
The Chromecast is priced very competitively in comparison to its competitors, the Chromecast 2.0 comes at $35 which is way cheaper than any of its competitors like the New Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV etc. Google is not just limiting the Chromecast to TV viewing but including gaming experience, a special version of Angry Birds has been specifically released for Chromecast called Angry Birds “GO”. There are many other games in the pipeline too like the Angry Birds Friends, WGT Golf, Monopoly Here and Now, Mini Motors WRT and Driver Speedboat Paradise.
Let’s talk about the Chromecast Audio now, it was codenamed as project Hendrix, this device lets you connect directly to any speakers with the help of the AUX wire. Once connected you have to use the Chromecast App to play the music directly in the speaker. Google mentioned Spotify integration with the device. It comes with 2 volt RMS and optional optical digital out in its hybrid port.
You can play music on your speakers with your Chromecast Audio and work in the background on your phone, making it a more or less wireless music player connected to your smartphone. It is said that the Chromecast app will be having a multi-room support for both the Chromecast and Chromecast Audio by the end of the year. The Chromecast Audio is also priced at $35.
The Chromecast App is available in iOS and Android. It brings in some good features like the Search for TV and has made a lot of changes in the “what you might like” section. The app scans your device for apps that use the Chromecast SDK and then deep-link to the content that you can interact with like Hulu, Netflix and other such apps present on your phone.
Source: Techcrunch
