New Google Chromecast Appears on the Google Home App

Teejay Boris, Tech Times 15 January 2023, 10:01 pm

A new Google Chromecast suddenly appeared on the Google Home app preview, suggesting that a higher-end "Pro" variant is now in the works.

Shortly after the search giant introduced its cheaper Chromecast with Google TV (HD), a recent leak suggests that Google is gearing up to launch another one.

(Photo : JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)
Sundar Pichai, Senior Vice President of Android, Chrome and Apps for Google, speaks at a media event at Dogpatch Studios on July 24, 2013 in San Francisco, California.

New Google Chromecast Leaked on Google Home App Preview

As per a news story by XDA Developers, the latest preview update of the Google Home suggests that the renowned tech firm is working on a new Chromecast with Google TV.

The latest spotting is likely a higher-end offering that brings a couple of hardware improvements and potential software refinements.

The new streaming device showed up beneath the code of the latest Google Home app preview update. The potential new dongle carries the codename "YTC."

XDA Developers interestingly noted that the Chromecast with Google TV (4K) uses the "YTV" codename, whereas the recently released HD version goes by the "YTB" codename.

And given the previous pattern, it sure looks like the latest sighting on the Google Home app preview is none other than a new Chromecast.

Google Chromecast 'Pro?' Here's What to Expect

Besides the code of the potential new Chromecast, the latest leak did not spare much about it. So it remains to be seen what the device brings to the table.

(Photo : JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty Images)
A Google employee exhibits the functionalities of an Android TV device nexus player during a media preview in New York on October 29, 2014. Google ramped up its mobile arsenal, upgrading its Nexus line with a new tablet and smartphone, and unveiling its revamped Android software, to be dubbed "Lollipop."

However, Phone Arena notes in its recent report that it could most likely be a new higher-end version. The search giant has already released a lower-end HD option on top of its original 4K variant. And with that, it seems that Google is going for a high-end offering this time around.

According to GizmoChina, the potentially upcoming streaming device could likely see some much-needed upgrades. It might sport a more powerful chipset, as well as other hardware upgrades like storage.

The new variant might also begin supporting AV1 decoding as its standard. And top of that, the leak hints that it comes with a built-in Google TV.

But do take this with a grain of salt as Google has yet to confirm the higher-end variant. Not to mention that the leak

did not even mention any additional details.

However, there have been several instances in which Google devices have leaked early on, including Pixel phones. It could likely suggest that the tech giant is already working on the upcoming Chromecast. Anytime soon, its release date, pricing, and specifications might see the light of day.

In the meantime, the details of the new Chromecast with Google TV remain to be a mystery.