Earlier this morning we told about you Google’s plans to work with MediaTek(one of Taiwan’s leading semiconductor companies)to power Google’s new Google Cast for audio range of devices coming in the future. When Google began work on the Google Cast platform, it started with the Chromecast for a way to stream video, music, apps and games to the Chromecast HDMI dongle which you can plug into the back of a TV or monitor. Google began expanding on the cast technology with newer features like screen mirroring, and today they have officially announced Google Cast for audio, the new, easy way to stream you favorite music to a range of speakers or soundbars in the same easy fashion you throw media to your TV.
Check out Google’s lively YouTube video below for a brief ad spot on what you can expect with Google Cast for audio, but if you know the Chromecast the idea is the same and you should expect the same ease of use in flinging tracks to whatever Cast for audio speakers you have in the home. Simply open up the song you’re wanting to listen to then tap on the cast button and you’re done. Simple right? No Bluetooth pairing, no NFC pairing, just play and cast.
As with all things Google it seems they’ll be offering these new Google Cast for audio speakers in the U.S. first beginning this Spring, and we’ll see brands like Sony, LG, and HEOS by Denon as the first three companies bringing speakers to the market, but Google does state more will be coming in the future. Google will be expanding on the brands that power their speakers too, and MediaTek will be joined by companies like Marvell, and Broadcom, as well as system integrator Libre Wireless. Users will be able to expect Google Cast ready speakers to work with Deezer, Google Play Music, iHeartRadio, NPR One, Pandora, Rdio, TuneIn, and others, and the speakers pull music directly from the Cloud so Google states multitasking while the music plays in the background is as easy as starting it up, and without the risk of battery drain like if you were using a set of Bluetooth enabled speakers. Google also mentions that Google Cast for audio is just the beginning as they’ll continue to expand on Google Cast ready products and devices that they plan to bring to market, like more Android TV devices, set-top boxes, and even game consoles.
http://youtu.be/8q0yZomXuSw