The Google Chromecast was a pretty revolutionary product when it was first introduced in the summer of 2013. Selling at the time for just $35, the original Chromecast could easily plug into a TV, and allow users to stream video straight from their phone or computer, at a time when smart TV was much less ubiquitous and getting, say, Netflix on your TV wasn’t as easy as it today. And since Netflix’s big push into original content was also in 2013, the product was right on time.
Different editions of Chromecast have arrived on the market in the years since, including the addition of 4K and HDR, before the first-ever Chromecast with Google TV arrived in 2020.
Now, there’s another new Chromecast, titled the Chromecast with Google TV (HD), the first Chromecast to not require a phone or other outside device. The new one is an update of the 2020 version, with 1080p resolution, and it has dropped the price to $29.99, from $49.99 for the last edition. The 4K edition remains available.
The new version includes the dongle itself, as well as a remote control, which includes a Google Assistant button.
Early looks at the new device have pitched it as a something that will work well with older TVs- it’s “finally here for your guest room television,” Android Police says.
After all, the majority of TVs being sold these days have smart TV capability built in, including many with Chromecast technology itself. Newer TVs with 4K capability also won’t have much use for a 1080p video dongle.
The “Google TV” brand can be confusing, as Google changed the name of what used to be the Google TV Movies & TV store to “Google TV” two years ago. There had also been a version of Google TV at the dawn of the smart TV area in 2010, although the company used the “Android TV” brand name for several years as well.
That said, $29.99 is a huge value for a smart TV experience that includes every relevant app.
