Google continues to ride on the success of Chromecast. The tiny multimedia box that transforms any station into a connected TV is already available in 1080p and 4K versions, but that does not prevent Google from working on a new version of the accessory.
A new Chromecast spotted in the code
As the 9to5Google site has noticed, the latest version of the Google Home app does indeed refer to a new accessory dubbed “YTC”, which seems to be the direct descendant of the Chromecast 4K (labeled YTV) and the Chromecast HD (labeled YTB ). Elsewhere in the code, the device is indeed marked as being a “Chromecast with Google TV”.
Google having renewed its entry-level offer with the Chromecast HD a few months ago, everything suggests that this new device could be a revised and improved version of the Chromecast 4K released in 2020. If the device has indeed encountered a nice commercial success, it is not without flaws. The limited storage space and the underpowered processor limit the capabilities of the device, so much so that the update to Android 12 went to forceps.
A competitor to Shield TV and Apple TV?
It would therefore be relevant for Google to offer a new version of the accessory – or even a “Pro” version – which would correct these minor flaws. This would allow Google to offer a real alternative to Nvidia’s Google TV – which still provides one of the best Google/Android TV experiences to date – and above all to place itself in direct competition with Apple TV, which does not keeps getting better too.
Chromecasts have historically been inexpensive devices and limited to content distribution, it remains to be seen whether Google is ready to renew the image of its range to bring in a more premium accessory capable of competing with the big names in the sector.