Google Chromecast Audio Could Be Game-Changer For Streaming Music

Google Chrome Audiocast

GOOGLE has announced its CHROMECAST AUDIO, a device that lets your vintage stereos and speaker systems stream music and podcasts over wi-fi for a mere $35, according to several news reports.

One can use it to listen to SPOTIFY  and other selected apps on ANDROID and iOS devices, and audio streamed via the Chrome browser on PCs.

At an event in SAN FRANCISCO, GOOGLE said it had sold more than 20 million units of the original CHROMECAST, which streams media to TVs.

STUART MILES, founder of the POCKET-LINT tech website. commented: "It will probably be quite successful because it will encourage people to upgrade their old hi-fis -- which are still very good from an audio perspective."

The launch coincides with the release of a flagship "smart speaker" from SONOS, one of the best-selling brands in the sector.

Google also announced a second-generation CHROMECAST TV media streamer, which now has a third antenna to create strengthened data connections and supports more apps than before.

CHROMECAST AUDIO can be connected to existing stereo equipment via standard 3.5mm audio jack, RCA or optical cables. Once installed, compatible apps display an extra icon allowing them to "cast" sound to nearby dongles without the need for a separate pairing process.
This means visitors to the home will be able to stream material of their own once they join the local wi-fi network.

SPOTIFY is compatible with CHROMECAST AUDIO, but TIDAL is not. DEEZER, PANDORA, RDIO and GOOGLE's PLAY MUSIC are among other apps supported at launch. Tracks can also be streamed from computers' local storage. APPLE MUSIC and TIDAL are not compatible.

GOOGLE's latest audio product will not offer the ability to stream audio to multiple speakers at once, although the firm says it hopes to add that functionality by early next year.

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