Google launches second-generation Chromecast streaming stick with support for

But the new Chromecast has more powerful hardware, while the new Chromecast Audio is created to do for speakers and audio what the original Chromecast did for TV and video.

The other device is a new Chromecast for streaming video.

“Wifi actually changes all the time”, said Google’s VP of product management Rish Chandra during a recent interview. You can combine multiple Chromecast Audio units to make a multi-speaker or multi-room setup a la Sonos, but much cheaper (available in an update later this year). Apple, which is also updating its lineup, was ranked fourth at 18 percent. This device will make your speakers smart. This will be configured through the new Chromecast companion app, and allows you to add social media feeds or image feeds that can play when your Chromecast is in its screensaver “backdrop” mode.

Gaming is at the forefront of Google’s new Chromecast, allowing developers to take their existing mobile game, and render it to two displays. “We keep the hardware simple and affordable, and we use the phone as a way to drive a lot of the great experiences you’re going to have”. Someone may turn on their microwave, neighbors may add a new access point, or a bunch of devices within the own home may suddenly crowd the network.

Finally, Google previewed a new shared albums feature that will be rolling out to the Google Photos iOS and Android app in a later update. It also supports RCA and optical input.

And after the slightly limited audio support from the first Chromecast it’s good to see that the likes of 7digital are now offering Cast support with its new Android app giving it the ability to stream hi-res audio FLAC files to your TV via the new Chromecast. Google’s since sold 20 million Chromecasts, and has signed up partners from HBO to the Travel Channel to the NFL. Showtime has announce plans to make all of its content available on Chromecast.

The Chromecast app will also act as a remote control for the Chromecast streaming dongle allowing users other than the person who initiated the stream to pause playback without having to have the Netflix app or a subscription, for instance. The latest version 46 of Google’s Chrome browser, which is scheduled to be released later this week, will include better mirroring to Chromecast, which means that users will be able to beam anything they’re seeing on their computer screen to the TV.

Google’s option introduces more customization into the app, letting viewers more easily find information on content, like a trailer, and sort it by category.