Google Ends Chromecast: A logical move with a notable concern
Key Points:
- Google has discontinued the Chromecast in favor of more advanced streaming devices.
- While logical, this decision might leave budget TV owners without an affordable upgrade option.
- The gap left by Chromecast could be quickly filled by competitors like Amazon’s Fire TV Stick.
With the recent release of the Google TV Streamer, Google has officially ended the production of its popular Chromecast device. This move seems reasonable, considering how much the smart TV landscape has evolved. However, it does raise some questions about accessibility for users with lower-end TVs.
When the Chromecast launched in 2013, it offered a simple and affordable way to stream content on your TV without needing a smart TV. You didn’t need a remote or apps—just your phone. This was a game-changer at a time when smart TVs were rare and expensive.
Over the years, as smart TVs became more common, the need for an inexpensive streaming dongle decreased. Even when Google introduced the Chromecast with Google TV in 2020, smart TVs had already become a standard feature in most households. Today, most TVs are equipped with built-in apps and streaming capabilities, which diminishes the necessity for a separate device like Chromecast.
Google’s current focus is on enhancing the TV viewing experience with more powerful streaming devices that can double as smart home hubs. Devices like Nvidia Shield TV and Apple TV offer superior performance compared to many smart TVs. Google aims to target this premium segment, rather than providing a basic solution like Chromecast.
However, while this shift makes sense on paper, it might not address the needs of everyone. High-end smart TVs, like the Hisense U7G, do perform well enough to negate the need for a Chromecast. But what about those who can’t afford these premium options? Low-end smart TVs, especially those under $300, can be slow and frustrating to use. For these users, a $30 or $50 streaming dongle like the Chromecast offered a significant improvement in usability and experience.
A recent poll from 9to5Google revealed that nearly half of respondents use the apps built into their TV, while around 25% still rely on devices like Chromecast or Fire TV Stick. Only 20% reported using high-end streaming devices. This suggests that a substantial number of users might be affected by Google’s decision to discontinue the Chromecast.
As the remaining stock of Chromecast dwindles, there could be a noticeable gap in the market, particularly for users who need an affordable streaming upgrade. Competitors like Amazon’s Fire TV Stick are likely to fill this void quickly, potentially capturing the segment of the market that Google is leaving behind.
So, while Google’s reasoning for ending the Chromecast is understandable, the decision may leave some users without a cost-effective option to enhance their TV experience. How this shift will impact the market remains to be seen, but some users may feel the loss of Chromecast more than others.
A new update to Google Calendar is here, aiming to make handling your appointments more engaging. Now, users have the option to add emojis to their events to spice up their text and express themselves visually.
While creating an event, Google Calendar offers to add an emoji that fits the title you have entered. A coffee cup emoji may appear next to the title if you type “coffee with Sarah.” You can pick a different emoji if you prefer. If you want to make the title shorter, you can delete it.
This feature functions on both personal and work accounts automatically. It aims to make your appointments more visible by using fun emojis.
Google described the update as an effort to make digital helpers more conversational. Although it’s a simple addition, it can be very useful and enjoyable for some people.
Right now, the update is being launched for both Android and iOS users, so please try again if it is not available to you yet. There is no need for anything special; simply use your app as you normally would, and the changes will be noticeable when you add or update an event.
Google is rolling out a major new update to its Search app on both Android and iOS. The updates improve the app’s appearance and include useful new AI-powered features. Users will now see a new smart bar at the top of the Search app in the AI Overview mode.
AI automatically suggests helpful information and allows you to get answers right within the Search app. On Android, you’ll now see a bar placed below the search box that lists your most recent questions as well. The layout adopts Google’s Material You style, and the active AI status is indicated by a curvy green silhouette.
A revamped prompt bar on the bottom of the screen now displays common questions, such as “What’s the best way to plant tomatoes?” The new design makes it more convenient to access with an expanded size and clearer images. The purpose is to make it simpler for users to begin talking with Gemini, Google’s advanced AI.
You’ll also notice an updated loading animation when waiting for results. Coming soon: You’ll see Google displaying a lively, Material 3-inspired animation for loading instead of a spinning circle. These three dots make the animations more up-to-date and approachable. The new features will be released slowly and could eventually show up across Google’s other mobile apps.
These changes make searching on Google easier, quicker, and more helpful, whether you want answers to simple questions or you want to use Google’s AI to learn more.
A bug is causing major problems for users of Google Maps right now. The app no longer displays backup ways to go while driving directions are in progress. If you’re driving, Google Maps usually shows you a couple of alternatives for reaching your destination. That useful function has stopped working for plenty of users in the latest version.
Many users are now being shown only one route when driving, leaving them potentially stuck in traffic. Many Android and iPhone users have run into the problem, and it crops up when using Maps for Navigation in versions 11.127.0101 and newer. Until now, Google hasn’t said anything about resolving the issue, but we can expect them to work on it shortly.
At the same time, YouTube TV is introducing an improvement for fans of live sports. YouTube TV users are getting a major update to their multiview feature this week. People can now design their own multiview layouts, rather than having a limited selection from the app. It’s being tested with a small group of users and should soon be available to everyone. This new feature is available on smart TVs, as well as streaming devices such as Chromecast and Apple TV.
As Google Maps troubleshoots a technical issue, YouTube TV is empowering users with new levels of customization, particularly useful as everyone keeps track of multiple live games during a sporty period. You could see that Google Maps and YouTube TV perform differently this week.
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