Google's next announcement could make your Sonos system REDUNDANT

Google is preparing to release a new Chromecast, which could breath life into your old speakers

GOOGLE is rumoured to be planning a second generation of ChromeCast which could make Sonos and other wireless multi-room speaker systems redundant.

 

Google is set to unveil two new Nexus smartphones at an event tomorrow in New York City.

The US technology firm is also reportedly planning to unveil two new versions of its hugely popular Google Chromecast HDMI drive.

Codenamed Hendrix, the new Chromecast device is rumoured to connect to any speaker through the 3.5mm headphone jack – the standard audio port Apple has taken a dislike to!

 

Once the Chromecast Audio is connected, it allows any speaker to connect to a wireless internet connection and be controlled using a smartphone or smartwatch app.

This is similar functionality to a Sonos wireless sound system, which links speakers across multiple rooms and allows users to control music, audio books or digital radio using a smartphone app.

The Chromecast Audio will also reportedly ship with Spotify support.

 

The first Google Chromecast was a portable HDMI drive that turned any TV into a smart TV

 

Rumours suggest Google is planning a similar device, but with a standard 3.5mm headphone jack

If you already have a Bluetooth speaker, the Chromecast Audio probably doesn't sound like a major innovation.

But if you have a home filled with older, wired speakers – then Google's new device could be a cost-effective way to update your old systems.

This is similar to the original Chromecast, which bundled smart TV functionality, including YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video apps and more, to any television set with an HDMI port.

The Google Chromecast now accounts for some 19 per cent of all household streaming devices.

Google clearly hopes to recreate the success in the household audio market.