Google has unveiled its latest Chromecast 2 media streamer with a new Chromecast Audio.
Like the original, the video version of the Chromecast 2 dongle will continue to ‘cast’ music, video and games to TV, with support for iOS and Android devices.
It will cost the same (£30) and comes with a number of upgrades, with better wi-fi performance, an improved interface and a slimmer design.
In addition, a ‘Fast Play’ feature, set to launch in 2016, will help apps and content load faster than they did on Chromecast 1.0.
There is also new support for Spotify, along with the same support for Netflix, YouTube, BBC iPlayer, BT Sport and NOW TV.
The Chromecast 2 comes in three colours: Black, Lemonade and Coral, the last two exclusive to the Google Store. And it’s available from today.
Audio dongle
Alongside the new Chromecast 2 media streamer, Google has also announced its Chromecast Audio dongle.
Priced at $30, the device can be connected to a hi-fi hooked up to a hi-fi, users can download the app to their phone to set up Chromecast Audio via wi-fi.
Users can cast music from any device on the same home network by tapping the Cast button on any app that enables it.
Through the app users can “search, play, pause, queue songs and turn up the volume from anywhere in the house.”
Similar to Chromecast 2, it will work with iOS and Android devices, Windows laptops and Chromebooks.
3.5mm/Aux, RCA and optical inputs will be supported and apps such as Spotify, Google Play Music, Deezer, BBC iPlayer Radio and others will be available to use.
A neat feature of the Chromecast Audio dongle is its multi-room synchronisation, so users can stream your music from room to room.