This revamped Chromecast is a far cry from the $35 streaming stick that first hit stores in 2013. The new refresh adds an updated user interface and throws in a remote control for good measure. Noticeably missing, though, is a way to access Apple TV content. “The addition of Google TV and remote control to the latest Chromecast is a game-changer for cord-cutters,” Brett Atwood, an associate professor at Washington State University who focuses on new consumer and entertainment technology trends, said in an email interview. “Prior to this release, there has not been a compelling enough reason for existing owners to upgrade.”
What’s New With Chromecast?
Also new to this year’s model is an included remote control. It has a button that activates a voice search function that “is near flawless, which makes searching for actors, movies, or themes a cinch,” Laura Fuentes, operator of Infinity Dish, said in an email interview.
Slick New Interface
The new Chromecast offers a slicker experience than many of its rivals, said Chans Weber, founder and CEO of Leap Clixx, in an email interview, adding that “every version has gotten smaller yet mightier, the processing power remains great, and the applications load quickly with almost no time delay.” And for those who want to stream their own media, the Chromecast might fit the bill, one observer says. The Chromecast is also cheaper than an Apple TV, which retails for $179, Rubin pointed out, adding “Roku has products that are competitively priced with the Chromecast, but some people may prefer the industrial design and the voice-driven Google Assistant control that the new Chromecast offers. There’s also tight integration with YouTube TV.”
No Stadia Support, Yet
Gamers might want to look elsewhere, however, as the Chromecast won’t support Google’s own Stadia service until sometime in 2021. “The lackluster game offerings on the Apps tab won’t win over many gaming enthusiasts and the latest Chromecast also lacks support for NVIDIA GeForce Now and Xbox Game Pass,” Atwood said. But for those who can’t wait for Stadia support, Rubin explains you can still access Google Play games on the Chromecast. “You’ll have to use a Bluetooth game controller,” said Rubin. “The new Chromecast doesn’t officially support Google’s Stadia service yet, but it’s a fair bet that it will be supported before we see it on other platforms, and it may never appear on Apple TV.” Consumers looking for ways to stream content onto their TVs are spoiled for choice with a plethora of devices on the market. The new Chromecast is likely to have many people saying, “Hey Google, pass the popcorn.”
