AliceRiding on the success of Chromecast, a media streaming device that plugs into the HDMI port on a TV, Google has introduced Chromecast Audio, an affordable way to allow users to listen to music on their existing speakers.
Costing just £23, the small device plugs into the AUX input of a speaker for streaming music through Wi-Fi.
Once set up, all the user need do is use their iPhone, iPad, Android phone or tablet, Mac or Windows laptop or Chromebook to cast their chosen tunes to the speakers in the house.
Chromecast streams straight from the cloud, reportedly allowing for continuous high-quality sound – even when the user leaves the room.
Simplicity is key with Chromecast Audio: users just tap the Cast button from music Apps to hear the music instantly on their speakers.
In fact, over 30 million songs are available from music services such as Pandora, Google Play Music, iHeartRadio and Rdio.
As is commonplace with home audio streaming products, users can search, play, pause, queue songs and turn up the volume directly from their phone – from anywhere in the house.
Going a step further, anyone in the home can cast music to the speakers using their own phones – no additional setup or pairing is required, plus Google promises that casting won’t drain a user’s battery or get in the way of other phone activities.
Fans of home audio streaming will notice that Chromecast Audio is similar to the Sonos Connect, which allows users to stream music to a stereo, can be controlled anywhere using a smart phone or tablet, can link to other Sonos music players in the home and acts as a wireless, easy to set up music player.
At a glance, the only immediate difference is the price, with Sonos Connect costing £279, making the gap in price between the two offerings come out at £256.
Also new this week in the world of audio streaming
Sonos Launches Trueplay Tuning Software And PLAY:5 Smart Speaker