The Google Chromecast has been one of the most popular streaming devices since it’s surprise announcement in mid-2013. Priced at only $35, it has single-handedly brought streaming media to the masses, having sold over 30 million units. Now, Google seems ready to raise the bar (and the resolution) with the Chromecast 4K.
The latest version, the Chromecast 2 was released just last year. The design shifted away from the original HDMI dongle that looked more like a flash drive than a video player. The Chromecast 2 featured a hockey-puck style player which connected to the TV with a flexible connector which allowed for better Wi-Fi signal and an easier way to connect to your HDTV.
What we know about the Chromecast 4K
The news was reported by Android Police and is light on any specific information, which makes sense because final details of a product’s development are usually kept secret right up until the day they’re announced.
Here’s what we do know:
- The new Chromecast 4K will be called either Chromecast Ultra or Chromecast Plus. Personally, I’m hoping they go with Chromecast Ultra because it is a better marketing tie-in to 4K\Ultra-HD.
- It is expected that the new Chromecast (insert name here) will be an addition to the current lineup, and not a replacement.
- Google will also be launching a Daydream VR viewer, possibly called Daydream View
- The Nexus line of smartphones will be re-branded to include the Pixel name
- And finally, flush out more details on the new Google Home lineup.
And that’s it. With new 4K streaming devices from Amazon, Roku and now Google, Apple’s decision not to include 4K playback in their latest Apple TV is looking more and more suspect.
We’ll have to wait patiently until next month to see how this plays out, but I for one am pretty excited. The original Chromecast was a great “secondary” streaming device.
I can’t wait to see the new version.
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Excellent news for individuals with 4K TV sets.
Now if we could just get everything broadcast or sent over the net to be in 16 X 9 format we wouldn’t have to look at black bars. 99% of all TV’s sold in America are 16 X 9 yet almost everything I stream is in some other format.
Only streaming source where I consistently get a 16 X 9 display is “Showbox”.
I’ll take picture accuracy over allways 16×9. If the director was shooting in some other format, the picture you see will be distorted just to make it fit if 16×9 is how you view it. No thanks