Google discontinues Chromecast after 11 years

Google is retiring the Chromecast brand and removing its Chromecast hardware from the market after 11 years, but it is not exiting the streaming device business. Instead, Google is introducing a new product called the Google TV Streamer, designed to compete with high-end streaming boxes like the Apple TV and Roku Ultra.

This new device is not a direct replacement for the Chromecast dongles, as it features a different design and comes at a significantly higher price. Google is replacing the 2020 $50 4K Chromecast with Google TV USB dongle with an HDMI set-top box priced at $100. Google is also discontinuing the HD-only Chromecast model, which was launched at a lower $30 price point in 2022. Although a cheaper, HD-only version of the new set-top box might be introduced, there has been no official announcement yet.

The new device includes a processor that is reportedly up to 22 percent faster than its predecessor, with double the RAM (4GB) and four times the storage (32GB). It supports 4K streaming at 60 fps with an HDMI 2.1a port and includes HDR support (Dolby Vision) and spatial audio (Dolby Atmos). The device also offers additional features not available in the previous dongles, such as an Ethernet port.

As expected, the new device comes equipped with Google Gemini AI features. According to Google, the streamer can summarize or review TV episodes or entire seasons on demand and create personalized watchlists based on recommendations for each household member. Google's AI also enhances content suggestions across the device's software.

The Google TV Streamer is available for preorder and will begin shipping to customers on September 26.