Google Cast

One of the big perks of the Fitbit app is access to a huge collection of workout plans that include videos, but recent app updates have removed the ability to cast those videos to TVs.

A new software update is now rolling out to Rivian electric vehicles with support for Google Cast and a new YouTube app.

As announced with the October Pixel (Feature) Drop last week, Google is rolling out “Hold close to cast,” or tap to cast, between Pixel Pro phones and the Pixel Tablet.

Google Cast, perhaps better known as Chromecast, makes it pretty easy to get content from virtually any device onto a TV and, soon, it’s coming to more hotel rooms.

Back in April, YouTube Music rolled out a new Cast menu and Google is now starting to address the lack of a “Disconnect” button.

The Cast menu redesign that first launched in YouTube Music is now rolling out to the main YouTube app on Android and iOS…

At I/O 2024, “Chromecast built-in” was quietly rebranded to “Google Cast.” Notably, this is reversing a branding change made in 2016. 

As a part of Google I/O 2024, Android Automotive is getting support for Google Cast, new apps, and more.

After testing earlier this year, YouTube Music for Android is widely rolling out a sheet-based Cast menu redesign.

Later this year, Google will let you “Tap to Cast” songs between the Pixel Tablet and compatible Pixel phones.

“Media controls for Cast devices” have long appeared as a standard notification (as shown above), but they are now part of the Android 13+ media player.

I’ve been writing about Waymo from afar since 2017, so finally being able to actually use the product was a trip, literally. Last week in San Francisco, I took two Waymo One rides as a completely normal passenger.

It seems Google is finally set to bring Chromecast devices a bit closer to Android itself. With Android 13, Google appears to be preparing support for Chromecast devices to be a native part of the system audio switcher.

Google’s Cast standard has been around for quite some time and, at this point, it’s not uncommon for someone to own a hefty handful of compatible speakers and displays. To help surface the device you might be looking for, Google appears to be testing “Suggested” Cast devices.

Update: This post has been updated to reflect new details from Google.

Last week, Google quietly introduced “Cast Connect” to make Casting on Android TV more native with support for remote controls and other app features. The company officially announced it today and detailed partner support, as well as providing a brief demo.

Google is rumored to be working on a Nest-branded streaming dongle and a bigger redesign of Android TV. The OS today added cinematic teasers, but last week quietly announced a bigger “Cast Connect” feature that will improve the Casting experience. 

In early December, Google and Amazon’s product dispute escalated resulting in the removal of YouTube from the Echo Show, but more importantly Fire TV. Today, the online retailer appears to be acquiescing to Google’s complaints over the lack of Chromecast devices on sale.

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