Chromecast

This article is about Google's line of digital media players. For information on the protocol used by Chromecasts and other devices, see Google Cast.

Chromecast
A collection of devices released under the Chromecast product line
DeveloperGoogle
ManufacturerGoogle
TypeDigital media player
Release date
  • 1st gen: July 24, 2013 (2013-07-24)
  • 2nd gen and Audio: September 29, 2015 (2015-09-29)
  • Ultra: November 6, 2016 (2016-11-06)
  • 3rd gen: October 10, 2018 (2018-10-10)
  • w/Google TV (4K): September 30, 2020 (2020-09-30)
  • w/Google TV (HD): September 22, 2022 (2022-09-22)
Introductory price
  • 1st, 2nd, 3rd gen, and Audio: US$35[1] / £30
  • Ultra: US$69
  • w/Google TV (4K): US$49.99
  • w/Google TV (HD): US$29.99
DiscontinuedAugust 6, 2024 (2024-08-06)
Units sold100 million
Display
  • 1080p (1st, 2nd, 3rd gen, w/Google TV (HD))
  • 4K Ultra HD (Ultra and w/Google TV (4K))
Connectivity
Power
PredecessorNexus Q
SuccessorGoogle TV Streamer
Websitechromecast.com

Chromecast is a discontinued line of digital media players developed by Google. The devices, designed as small dongles, can play Internet-streamed audio-visual content on a high-definition television or home audio system. The user can control playback with a mobile device or personal computer through mobile and web apps that can use the Google Cast protocol, or by issuing commands via Google Assistant; later models introduced an interactive user interface and remote control. Content can be mirrored to video models from the Google Chrome web browser on a personal computer or from the screen of some Android devices.

The first-generation Chromecast, a video streaming device, was announced on July 24, 2013, and made available for purchase on the same day in the United States for US$35 (equivalent to $45.78 in 2023).[2] The second-generation Chromecast and an audio-only model called Chromecast Audio were released in September 2015. A model called Chromecast Ultra that can display 4K resolution and high dynamic range was released in November 2016. A third generation of the HD video Chromecast was released in October 2018. The final models, called Chromecast with Google TV, were the first in the product line to feature an interactive user interface and remote control; a 4K version was released in September 2020, followed by a 1080p version in September 2022.

Critics praised the first-generation Chromecast's simplicity and potential for future app support. The Google Cast SDK was released on February 3, 2014, allowing third parties to modify their software to work with Chromecast and other Cast receivers. By May 2015, more than 1.5 billion stream requests had been initiated and over 20,000 Cast-ready apps had been made available, according to Google. Chromecast was the best-selling streaming device in the United States in 2014, according to NPD Group. Over 100 million Chromecast devices were sold over 11 years, according to Google. Many technology publications included Chromecast on their lists of popular and influential products of the 2010s. In 2024, the Chromecast product line was discontinued and replaced with the Google TV Streamer.[3]

  1. ^ Watson, Todd (July 26, 2013). "Introducing Google Chromecast". Inside Investor. Archived from the original on August 10, 2013. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  2. ^ Evangelho, Jason (July 24, 2013). "Google's Chromecast A Brilliant Play For The Living Room -- Especially With $35 Price Tag". Forbes.com. Retrieved July 24, 2013.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference theverge-discontinued was invoked but never defined (see the help page).