The existing Chromecast with Google TV is still running Android 10 but a new 'Chromecast HD' will apparently ship with Android 12.
The information comes courtesy of Kuba Wojciechowski, a developer who claims to have obtained the full software build for the device which will apparently be called 'Chromecast HD'.
- "The build I obtained is from July and is most likely the same as the one that will be preinstalled on the device. It is based on Android 12 with Google TV. It does also confirm the “Chromecast HD” branding," wrote Kuba Wojciechowski.
Android 12 adds system support for frame rate matching and other new features.
He also found that it will feature an Amlogic S805X2 SoC with support for AV1 video decoding, 1.5GB RAM, WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5.2. This lines up with previous rumors about a cheaper 1080p60 device. A diagram in the firmware appears to show an unchanged remote control.
The existing Chromecast with Google TV supports 4K but is still running Android 10 from 2019. It does not support AV1 either, the new royalty-free video codec that is backed by Amazon, Apple, Google, Microsoft, Netflix and others. Since April 2021, Google has required all newly launched Google TV devices to support AV1.
Also read: Netflix is rolling out higher-quality AV1 streaming on TV devices
There is no word on an upgraded 4K-version of Chromecast yet.
The launch is imminent and it will cost 39.99 Euro in Europe (the existing 4K version costs 69.99 Euro), according to a separate report from WinFuture.
- Source: Kuba Wojciechowski, WinFuture
