The base $30 Chromecast is 4 years old at this point, so it’s probably time for an upgrade. The usually reliable WinFuture has learned that a new Chromecast launch is due any day, stating that the new device is already showing up on dealer inventory systems.
The report states that the “Google G454V”, which hit the FCC a few months ago, is a 1080p streaming device that runs Google TV. In Europe, the device is priced at “about 40 euros”, which puts it below the existing “Chromecast with Google TV”price of 69.99 euros.
The new Chromecast makes a lot of sense. In addition to being quite outdated by Google for the technology, Google has changed the Chromecast formula by releasing a high-quality 4K “Chromecast with Google TV”in 2020. fully functional TV OS with remote control, app store and built-in memory. With this big shift came a change in operating systems: “Google TV”means it runs Android, while the current entry-level Chromecast runs Cast OS.
Cast OS seems to be dead inside Google. Other products running the OS, the Nest Hub line of smart displays, are gradually switching to Fuchsia. If a cheap Chromecast is upgraded, there will be nothing left on the original Chromecast OS. Switching to Google TV for everything will also make the Chromecast more competitive with the Roku, which includes an interface and remote for even the cheapest $30 device.
Google already has a Pixel 7 and Pixel Watch launch scheduled for October 6th, so we may hear more about the budget Chromecast. On the other hand, the third generation Chromecast that is being replaced wasn’t announced at the show with any fanfare – it just showed up in stores one day.