Google today announced a new Chromecast with HD streaming support that costs just $30 and comes with a remote control. The company is launching Chromecast with Google TV (HD) – yes, that’s the official name – in 19 countries, including the US
This comes two years after Google launched a $49 Chromecast with 4K HDR streaming support and the introduction of a remote control. The new Chromecast supports 1080p streaming.
The new Chromecast supports over 10,000 apps found on the Google TV platform, including Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+ and Prime video. Additionally, Google has improved live TV support over the years.
The remote is similar to the one that comes with the Chromecast 2020. It’s shaped like half a hot dog bun with a navigation circle on top with buttons for Back, Home, Mute, Power, TV Input and Google Assistant ; the volume controls are located on the side. The remote also has a dedicated button for launching YouTube and Netflix. Users can press and hold the YouTube button to reassign it to open YouTube TV, YouTube Music, or YouTube Kids.
Google Assistant on the remote lets you search for shows, movies, and videos while providing voice commands for your smart home devices. So you can control your thermostat, turn your lights on/off, or even stream your Nest security camera directly to the TV.
The new Chromecast comes with all the goodies of Google TV, including profiles for different users, a suggested content tab called “For you”, the Library tab for your purchases and rentals from Google, and a watchlist that can sync across all devices. In May, the company added casting features to the Google TV app and added that the Android TV ecosystem had passed the 110 million device mark.
Since it’s a Chromecast, users will be able to group Nest speakers together and play music in different rooms directly through their TV or phone.
As Google scrolls around that the new Chromecast is cheaper than the $35 first-generation device it launched in 2012, the company is updating the budget version after four years. Meanwhile, Amazon and Roku have launched $30 HD streaming sticks, so the search giant is late to the party.
The Chromecast with Google TV (HD) is available in “Snow” color starting today. Buyers in the US will get six months of Peacock Premium – which provides access to original shows, WWE and live sports – with this new device. In July, during its quarterly earnings call, Peacock said its paid subscribers remained flat at 13 million. So that could be one of the ploys to increase that number.