Jordan O'BrienDenon is ditching plans for Google Cast support on its HEOS range of wireless speakers, just a year after announcing a partnership with Google to adopt the technology.
Why the sudden change in heart? Well, according to Denon the company decided to drop the plans due to “differing product approaches.”
Denon announced the decision in a tweet, but stopped short at saying that it doesn’t plan to add Google Cast in the future, stating that it has “decided not to move forward with the integration at this time” and will “provide updates if it decides to continue work on Google Cast for audio in the future.”
It is somewhat surprising to see Denon drop its plans so suddenly, after all it was one of only three speaker manufacturers committed to the technology when it launched early last year. The other two, LG and Sony, have since released speakers sporting the technology.
Despite Denon’s plan to forgo Google Cast integration, it’s unlikely that Google is altogether too worried. It has already signed up B&O Play, Harman/Kardon, Onkyo, Philips, Pioneer and Raumfield, all of whom have committed to the technology.
All hope is not lost for Denon HEOS users wanting to use Google Cast either – as Google has a solution in the form of the Chromecast Audio. The Chromecast Audio can be plugged into any speaker with a 3.5mm headphone jack, which then enables that speaker to receive audio content via Google’s casting technology. Sure it’s not the cheapest solution out there, but it does mean consumers needn’t acquire a whole new speaker system just to make it ‘smart’.
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