Google launches redesigned Chromecast with multi-room audio support

It’s been three years since Google last refreshed the Chromecast, and today the tried-and-true streaming dongle is finally getting an update. The new, third-generation Chromecast has an updated design, trading in the glossy colors and Chrome logo for a matte black finish and Google’s trademark G. But more importantly, it’s also getting some small tech and feature improvements.

Google says the new Chromecast is 15 percent faster, which isn’t much, but is apparently enough to add support for streaming 60fps video at 1080p, instead of 720p like last generation. This Chromecast is also getting the ability to act like a Chromecast Audio and let you play music in sync with other speakers connected to Google’s smart devices; that feature won’t launch until later this year, however.

Otherwise, everything is the same. There had been rumors of the Chromecast adding Bluetooth support, but it isn’t present here. Other rumors pointed to stronger Wi-Fi, and while that could still be true, it isn’t mentioned on the spec sheet either.

So this is really the same Chromecast as ever. It has no TV interface and instead relies on you to stream things app by app. This model still doesn’t do 4K, so the Chromecast Ultra, from 2016, is sticking around. As before, it’ll sell for $35.

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