You know all the cool shenanigans you can get up to with Chromecast, and now Google wants to extend this streaming functionality beyond the dongle. The company today unveiled its "Google Cast" technology, which will allow users to send audio streams directly from the cloud to their speaker.
You can use your device to cast an audio signal to any speaker fitted with Google Cast. Like Chromecast, the stream isn't transmitted from your device—rather, it comes directly from your local Wi-Fi network. Your device, in effect, is only the remote control. Unlike Chromecast, Google Cast doesn't function via a dongle or extra piece of hardware—it will come inside speakers from partner manufactures such as Denon, Sony, and LG. Google promises cast-ready speakers from these manufacturers and others will be available "later in 2015."
Users can interface with Google Cast via their mobile device (both Android and iOS) or the Chrome browser on their computer. Google has already announced partnerships with content providers such as NPR, Pandora, iHeart radio, Rdio, TuneIn, and BeyondPod.
As you might have already imagined, you will also be able to stream content on Google Cast from Google-owned properties such as Songza, Google Play Music, and possibly more. The company didn't say explicitly, but if you watch the promotional video for Google Cast (below), it appears that you will also be able to cast just the audio section of a YouTube clip.
The company promises that Google Cast speakers will "join a growing Google Cast ecosystem, which includes more Android TVs, game consoles, and set-top boxes."
