‘First Chromecast only gets security updates and bug fixes’

The first Chromecast generation will probably only receive security updates and bug fixes. This is evident from the firmware of the device and a statement from Google. The original Chromecast is now over six years old.

The most recent stable firmware version of the first generation Chromecast is 1.36.157768. That while the newer Chromecast devices are now at 1.40.156414. The first generation is therefore maintained separately from the other generations, concluded 9to5Google. Through the version number, the website was able to find out that the first-generation firmware is based on Chrome 70, from October 2018, while the other Chromecast devices run on Chrome 74.

When the website asked Google whether it will continue to support the first-generation Chromecast, the search giant replied that the device is still getting bug fixes and security updates. With this, Google more or less confirms that the first generation of the Chromecast will not receive any major updates or more.

The first Chromecast was released in July 2013 and can transmit images in up to 1080p resolution at 30fps or 720p at 60fps. This Chromecast still had the shape of a large USB stick. In the second generation, two years later, the design changed to a round shape. Last October, the third generation of the Chromecast was released, which can transmit images in 1080p at 60fps. There is also a Chromecast Ultra with 4k and HDR support.