Want to use Amazon’s Alexa voice service around the home, but don’t want to make do with Amazon’s speakers? The company has a few high-end solutions on the way… but there’s also a cheap option that launches today. The Amazon Echo Input is a $35 device that you can plug into any existing speakers to […]
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Google’s next Chromecast will support Bluetooth, have better WiFi reception
Google is preparing to update its entry-level media streamer for the first time since 2015. Variety spotted an FCC listing for a new model called the NC2-6A5B. The key differences mentioned in FCC documents? An improved antenna that will boost 5GHz gain from 2.1 dBi to 4 dBi and support for Bluetooth. That could make […]
This 4K Android TV stick probably isn’t the next Chromecast (but it looks pretty nice) – Updated
For some reason Google has two different smart TV platforms. You can buy a $35 Chromecast and plug it into your TV to stream music, videos, and other internet content, but you’ll have to use your phone, tablet, or computer as a remote control and navigation device. Or you can buy a device that runs […]
VLC 3.0 media player launches with Chromecast, 8K support
Popular multimedia app VLC has just been updated to version 3.0. Among other things, the update brings support for streaming videos from a PC to a Chromecast… even in formats not natively supported by Chromecast hardware. Other highlights include support for 360-degree video, 3D audio, and hardware-accelerated decoding for 4K and 8K video on supported […]
Google Chromecast and Apple TV returning to Amazon
Amazon sells a number of media streaming devices including Roku, NVIDIA Shield, and Amazon Fire TV products. But you haven’t been able to buy a Google Chromecast or Apple TV from the company for a while. It looks like that’s about to change though. CNET reports that Amazon has confirmed plans to begin stocking Chromecast […]
Google Assistant for phones gains Chromecast support
Have a Google Home smart speaker and a Chromecast? Then you can talk to the speaker to play music or videos on any Cast-enabled device. “OK Google, Play Game of Thrones” beams it to your TV, or “OK Google, play Tom Petty on my Living Room speakers” should send music to your ChromeCast audio device. […]
Samsung Gear VR picks up Chromecast support
Say you’re playing a game, watching a 360-degree video, or traveling through foreign cities (or space) using a Samsung Gear VR headsets… but your friends or family are sitting on the couch next to you with no way to envision the wonders you’re seeing. Now you can share your experience to a TV. Oculus has […]
Coming soon: Better Chromecast video casting from browser tabs
Want to stream internet media to your TV using a Google Chromecast? Just plug the dongle into your TV, fire up the music or video app on your phone, and tap the Chromecast icon. But what if there is no Chromecast icon? Some apps don’t support the Google Cast protocol, but there is a workaround: Google […]
iFixit tears apart Google Home, finds Chromecast parts inside
Google Home is a $129 smart home speaker that can answer questions, play games, and stream media to a Chromecast device in your house. Under the hood, it also seems to have many of the same parts as a Chromecast. The folks at internet repair shop iFixit have disassembled a Google Home to see what […]
Google introduces 4K-ready Chromecast Ultra
Google’s Chromecast products are small and simple gadgets that you can plug into the HDMI port of a TV in order to stream internet video to the big screen, using your phone, tablet, or computer (with a web browser) to locate videos you want to play and “cast” them to the TV. After selling 30 […]