Google announces the new Chromecast Audio and Chromecast 2

Google today announced the second generation of its Chromecast media streaming device, as well as a new Chromecast Audio device for playing audio through your speakers based on control from your phone.

The new Chromecast, which has a bold circular design, comes in black, coral, and lemonade colors, with an integrated HDMI cable that folds up, making it easy to take with you. The device comes with three antennas to make sure you’re always using the best radio frequency based on the Wi-Fi connection.

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The new Chromecast 2 will cost $35 and will be available from the Google Store in 17 countries starting today. It’s coming to Best Buy and Walmart, too.

The Chromecast Audio device contains the same antenna technology. It looks a bit like a record in the black color. It connects to 3.5-millimeter auxiliary input, and it supports RCA and optical inputs as well, Google Chromecast head Mario Queiroz said at a major Google press event in San Francisco today.

And the Chromecast Audio will also hit the Google Store for $35.

“You now have a simple and consistent way to amplify your entertainment to the biggest and loudest devices in the home,” Queiroz said.

Music streaming service Spotify will work on Chromecast Audio and the Chromecast 2 immediately, and it will work on older Chromecast devices in the future.

Google has now sold more than 20 million Chromecast devices since they debuted in 2013.

More content is coming to Chromecast. Showtime and Sling TV are both supporting the platform, with MLB At Bat, CBS Sports, and others coming later, Queiroz said.

The Chromecast backdrop will be able to show pictures from Getty Images and 500px, and Flickr and Facebook support is coming as well.

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