Google will stop making Chromecasts — and replace it with the new Google TV Streamer
It's bittersweet to say goodbye to such an iconic product.
After a decade of transforming TVs into smart hubs and selling over 100 million streaming dongles, Google is now replacing it with the Google TV Streamer.
But, don't panic if you're a loyal Chromecast user.
While Chromecast devices will now be available “while supplies last,” Google has assured fans that existing devices will continue to receive software and security updates. But new models will no longer be produced.
According to Google, the Google TV Streamer is "a more premium device built for the new era of entertainment and smart home needs". It will offer the new streaming device for $99.99 starting from September 24, 2024 – that's $70 costlier than Chromecast with Google TV, but cheaper than the Apple TV 4K (third-generation) which starts at $129.
The move to phase out the Chromecast might seem surprising, but it's likely driven by a few factors such as evolving technology since the Chromecast's inception, rival streaming devices like Roku and Apple TV having upped the ante to offer more features and better performance, and likely because Google wants to add more capabilities to your smart TV.
As we witness the end of the Chromecast era, it's bittersweet to say goodbye to such an iconic product, but it also marks an exciting chapter for streaming enthusiasts. In this brief video by Techloy, we've put together some of Chromecast's biggest moments since launch in 2013 to date.
