Chromecast 2 gets support for 5GHz WiFi and Spotify

Google has unveiled the new version of the Chromecast media player. This time the player is more compact and has the shape of a disc rather than a stick. Google also comes with Chromecast Audio, to wirelessly stream audio, including from Spotify, to ‘dumb’ speakers.

A big new feature of the Chromecast is Fast Play. This ensures that apps and content, where predictable, are quietly preloaded on the Chromecast when users open the corresponding apps on their smartphone. For example, when a user opens the Netflix app on their phone, the same app on the Chromecast also starts loading immediately. Apps also try to predict which content should be played next within an app. However, this functionality must be supported within that app. Preloading content should be introduced next year, and preloading apps should be possible immediately.

In addition, the redesigned Chromecast app will have a ‘What’s on’ interface, which will provide an overview of all the new and popular content that the Chromecast-compatible apps have to offer. In this way, all Chromecast-enabled apps can also be searched simultaneously. The Chromecast should also serve as a second screen for games. Google staff demonstrated a game of Angry Brids Go simultaneously on an iPhone and via a Chromecast on a television, with apparently very low latency. The games must also have built-in support for this.

Inside the Chromecast 2 are three antennas to optimize streaming data via WiFi. The first Chromecast only had one. In addition, Google announces that it has sold 20 million Chromecasts worldwide. The new Chromecast will be available in red, yellow and black and is available immediately for 39 euros in the Play Store. The device does not support 4k output.

For audio, Google has released a separate device called Chromecast Audio. It can be connected via the 3.5mm jack on a speaker to wirelessly stream audio to it. So that works in a similar way to the conventional Chromecast for footage. Furthermore, in the audio field, there is now support for Spotify’s Connect feature, which allows users to send the music they are listening to to an external player. This support therefore applies to both the Chromecast and the Chromecast Audio. In the near future, the first-generation Chromecast will also receive Spotify support.

With the Chromecast Audio it is also possible to connect multiple speakers by using multiple devices. This makes it possible to play audio on multiple speakers at the same time. By the way, that feature won’t be released until later this year. Google sells the Chromecast Audio for 39 euros in its store.