Google is not abandoning Chromecast, despite plans to stop production of the hardware, and plans to later roll out Android 14 for the Chromecast with Google TV.
The confirmation came directly from Google at the Made by Google event, according to Android Authority, although no date was announced.
- "While the Chromecast with Google TV has been discontinued, Google will still be providing software updates for it, and Android Authority has learned that this will include an update to Android 14."
Android TV 14 includes new features such as Energy Modes, Matter/Thread home hub support, Picture-in-Picture for home cameras, and more.
Second major OS update
The Chromecast with Google TV (4K) launched in 2020 on Android 10 and was later updated to Android 12, which the Chromecast with Google TV (HD) from 2022 shipped with.
The update to Android 14 therefore represents the second major OS update for the Chromecast with Google TV (4K), as Google skipped Android 13 entirely for TV devices and skipped Android 11 for Chromecast.
Picture-in-Picture is officially coming with Android 14, but only for non-media apps. Photo: Google
Some new features are hardware-dependent
However, despite receiving the Android 14 update, the Chromecast will not gain all the features of the new Google TV Streamer, as some are hardware-dependent. For example, Chromecast does not feature a Thread radio for smart home control over Thread. At this time, Google has not committed to bringing the new Home panel interface to Chromecast either.
It has already been confirmed that the new Google TV Streamer, which will replace Chromecast, will launch with Android 14. Google also confirmed that it will stop making Chromecasts.
- Source: Android Authority
