On Tuesday, Oct. 4, Google announced an updated version of its Chromecast Ultra media streaming stick, featuring support for 4K content.
Chromecast Ultra Announcement
The first model of Google's Chromecast media streaming device came on the market back in 2013 and it was updated by Google last year, but now the high-tech giant launched a new 4K compatible version. According to CNET, at an event in San Francisco, Google unveiled its Chromecast Ultra updated device that provides Dolby Vision, HDR picture quality and video in 4K.
The new high-dynamic resolution (HDR) technology offers a perceptible improvement of the image quality by increasing the contrast between the darkest blacks and brightest whites and by accentuating color. The latest version of the device can plug unseen into the HDMI port on the back of a TV in order to stream media content such as Netflix from laptops, tablets and smartphones.
According to PC Advisor, Google's new Chromecast Ultra media streaming device comes with an Ethernet port that allows users to directly plug internet connections rather than relying on Wi-Fi. According to Google, the updated Chromecast Ultra comes with improved Wi-Fi to handle the load of the higher-def media streams and is 1.8 times faster.
Google's Chromecast Ultra will come out in November 2016 with a price tag of $69. It will be available for purchase at the Google Store, Best Buy, Walmart and Target in the U.S. Worldwide, the media streaming device will be available from retailers in 15 countries.
Competitors Of Chromecast Ultra
The ability to stream 4K content will place Google's Chromecast Ultra in a special position as one of very few devices able to offer Ultra HD content. Currently, among mainstream manufacturers 4K support is only provided by the the Roku 4 and the Amazon Fire TV 4K box.
Google announced that, up to date, it has sold more than 30 million Chromecasts. The overall time spent by people watching video on Chromecast increased 160 percent since the company introduced the prior version of the Chromecast last year.
