Google Cast for audio brings music streaming from Android, iOS & web to third-party speakers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q0yZomXuSw

Google today announced Google Cast for audio, which the company says takes advantage of Chromecast tech to send audio to third-party hardware like speakers, A/V receivers, and sound bars. The feature will allow users to tap a “cast” button from within music and radio apps on Android, iOS and the web to stream audio to Google Cast enabled speakers.

Google announced support for a number of music services that will work with the new Google Cast for audio feature including Deezer, Google Play Music, iHeartRadio, NPR One, Pandora, Rdio, and TuneIn. Google has a full list here.

As for hardware, Google said the first speakers to support Google Cast for audio will be available from LG, HEOS by Denon, Sony and others this spring in the US.

While Google’s Chromecast opened up video streaming options to the big screen with features that rival Apple’s popular AirPlay streaming features for iOS devices and Macs, Google Cast for audio is another piece to that puzzle that competes with the similar AirPlay audio enabled speakers available on the market.

In addition, alongside the announcement Google noted that the Chromecast is now available in 27 countries with more coming this year.