Hold on to your popcorn, cord-cutters, because… Google announced some exciting Chromecast news at CES 2024! What's even more exciting is that the magic of Fast Pair is coming to Chromecast with Google TV! Fast Pair has been a fan-favorite feature on Chromebooks for a while, and Google is rolling it out to Chromecast with Google TV “next month.”
Here's how it will work on your TV. Simply put your headphones into pairing mode, see the “Connect Now” prompt on your TV screen, and voila – your headphones are connected. This seamless Bluetooth pairing is very simple, and Google says there have been “over 660 million quick pairings to date.” Google also plans to bring Fast Pair to “more Google TV devices.”
Casting TikTok to Chromecast built-in devices is also available here, with autoplay enabled by default. No more staring at your phone screen – indulge in endless scrolling of viral videos on your big screen TV. And the TikTok fun doesn't stop there, as Google says future streaming of live content is on the way too.
Google also announced that Chromecast built-in significantly expands its reach. LG's 2024 TV series will now come with Chromecast built-in, bringing smart streaming to more households. Hotels and hospitals using LG Hospitality and Healthcare TVs are joining the Chromecast party, too, so you won't have to watch daytime TV during your next hotel or hospital visit. Google says there are now “more than 220 million monthly active devices” across Google TV and other Android TV devices.
Finally, Google is rolling out a Matter hub function to “identify” Google TV and Android TV OS devices, as well as LG TVs. This means your TV can become the brain of your smart home, controlling and communicating with all your Matter-compatible devices through the power of Google Home.
From easy pairing to expanded streaming options and a thriving ecosystem of partners, Google Chromecast's announcements at CES 2024 paint a bright picture for the future of streaming and home entertainment. So, grab some popcorn, sit on the couch, and get ready for some great new Chromecast features coming soon!
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