Pretty soon, users of Google's Chromecast app will see the app renamed Google Cast. In an announcement on Tuesday, Google stated that it will officially rebrand the company's Chromecast app for iOS and Android devices to Google Cast, in a move aimed to establish the tech giant's stance on the expanding Cast technology to a number of devices.
The original Chromecast app was designed as the companion application for Google's Chromecast dongle, an affordable, easy-to-install device that transforms conventional devices such as TVs and speakers to internet-ready devices. Though the device was quite under the radar for a period of time, Google announced that the $35 dollar device proved very popular with customers.
During the first two years since the first iteration of the Chromecast was introduced, Google was able to sell approximately 20 million units, making it the most popular streaming device in 2015, beating out other prominent competitors such as the Fire TV and the Apple TV.
What made the Chromecast quite endearing to users was the sheer ease of its use, especially when controlled through the Chromecast app, which made "casting" media to devices extremely convenient.
With the tech giant's move to rebrand the app, however, Google is expected to move its cast technology into even more expansive waters. Apart from the rebranding, Google has also partnered with numerous TV manufacturers such as Sony, LG, B&O Play, Harman Kardon, Onkyo, Philips and Pioneer to integrate the company's Cast technology to future devices.
Among these manufacturers is TV maker Vizio, whose second-generation P-Series 4K TV line is fully compatible with Google Cast. Having Google Cast built in, Vizio's TVs do not even need to rely on a Chromecast device to cast over content.
So far, Vizio has unveiled four Google Cast-enabled TVs, a 50-inch, 55-inch, 65-inch and 75-inch TV, with prices ranging from $1,000 to $3,800. Customers should take note that Vizio's new P-Series TVs are not running Android TV. Rather, they simply have Google Cast built-in.
Google has announced that the rebranding is currently being rolled out, though some users in a number of areas will not be able to see the fully rebranded app for now.
