Last week, we discovered that Walmart was selling the new Chromecast TV before Google announces it on Wednesday. It was available in very few stores, but it was available. Now, The Home Depot is also selling the new Chromecast TV, ahead of the announcement. And it’s available in more locations.
It’s beyond rare that you can buy a product before a company actually announces it. But this is something that happens to Google almost every year. Surprisingly though, not with smartphones. Only with other hardware products that Google sells.
The Verge was able to purchase one at The Home Depot today. And it appears that the retailer is not stopping customers from buying it and taking it home. When checking out, it shows up as “SABRINA-ABBEY ROCK CANDY”. That is the codename for the new Chromecast TV.
The Chromecast TV will cost $49
Because the Chromecast TV is already available, and many people are buying it already, we know a lot more about the device.
For instance, we know that it is going to cost $49.99. That is cheaper than the Chromecast Ultra, but more expensive than the Chromecast. Putting it at a nice middle spot. And making it pretty affordable.
It basically takes Chromecast and Android TV, and combines them into a single dongle. So this is the first Chromecast that comes with a remote control.
It appears to only come in a single color, which is white. Though Google calls it “snow”.
We’ve also been told by numerous people that have purchased one already, that the Google Play Movies & TV app is not available on the Chromecast TV. Instead, it is integrated into the OS entirely. So there’s no more dedicated Google Play Movies & TV app. But the content is still there.
This is supposedly part of a much larger rebrand for Android TV. It is supposedly going back to “Google TV”, which was its name many years ago.
It’ll be announced on Wednesday
Google will be announcing the Chromecast TV, as well as a few other devices, on Wednesday, September 30. Given the fact that many retailers already have the Chromecast TV and is selling it, it’s likely that it’ll be available immediately after the launch event on Wednesday.
Alongside the Chromecast TV, we are also expecting to get the Nest Audio, Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5. There could be a few other products announced too, but that’s what has leaked and what Google hinted at in the official invite a couple weeks ago.