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It’s been more than two years since Google launched the first Chromecast. The time for a second generation Chromecast has finally come.
Let us start with what is obvious – apart from the internal upgrades, the new Chromecast device’s design will suffer some major changes. Its shape will be more round than that of its predecessor, making it look a bit better than your average flash drive. The device also seems wider than the predecessor. Right now, we can’t help but wonder how the device will find its way between other HDMI cables on a TV. Is it going to be through an extension cable? Google also thought that it would be a great idea to fashion the device in three different colors.
However, new design changes aside, we know the hardware is what is truly important about this small device, and that it is its biggest selling point. Google added 802.11 ac support to the Wi-Fi adapter, as opposed to the previous 802.11 b/g/n support only. Critics pointed out that the original Chromecast device lacked 5GHz support, but Google has not yet mentioned anything on that matter. Another complaint thrown at the original version of the Chromecast was that all of the streams could take a couple of extra seconds before starting. The issue has been explained: all the information needs to be sent from the mobile machine to the Chromecast device, only then the Chromecast is able to fetch the said information. Google announced a function called Fast Play, which could speed up this process.
The second generation Chromecast will offer more than just a HDMI connection. Through the auxiliaty connection, the Chromecast will be able to connect to the HDMI input with a AVR receiver or to an analog audio port simultaneously, enjoying streamed music on more than one pair of speakers. Fans of the Chromecast all agree that the multiroom support is good news, since the original version of the device needed an adapter in order to do that.
Google will be launching the second generation Chromecast alongside the Nexus device, somewhere near the end of September, at their event in San Francisco. Another good news from Chromecast users is that the price has no changed, remaining at a fixed $35, making the device one of the most affordable tech gifts of the winter holidays.
Photo Credits wikipedia
