Instead of presenting the new $35 Chromecast alongside the Pixel 3 and Home Hub at its event in October, Google simply released it without a word.
This is likely because, while it is indeed a new Chromecast, it doesn't actually do anything new.
It's the same media streamer as the previous model, with only a slight design change, support for 1080p60, and a claimed performance bump.
It remains a useful device, but without 4K capability it's much less appealing than it was a few years ago.
A Slightly New Style
{{/ziffimage>The new Chromecast has the same disc shape as the previous version, but with slightly more rounded edges.
It comes in matte black or white, and measures 2.1 inches around and 0.4-inch thick.
A 3-inch flat gray ribbon cable extends from the Chromecast and terminates in an HDMI plug.
A micro USB port (for power, with the included cable and wall adapter) sits on the opposite edge of the disc, with a reset button to its left and an indicator LED to its right.
If you've used the second-generation Chromecast, you won't find any surprises here.
Setup and Casting
Setting up the Chromecast is an easy process with the Google Home app.
Plug the Chromecast into an HDMI port on your TV and into a power outlet, and it will show a splash screen asking you to download the app to connect it.
If you've already used Google Home before, or set up any other Google Home-controlled device on your network, the app will detect that a new device is ready to be set up and prompt you to start the process.
If you're completely new to the app, the Chromecast should appear in the Devices menu, with text indicating it's waiting to be set up.
Select the Chromecast, enter your Wi-Fi information, log in with your Google account, and optionally log in to third-party streaming services like Netflix and Spotify.
The Chromecast will download any updates it needs, then it will be ready for streaming.
Under the new shell, the third-generation Chromecast acts exactly like the second.
It doesn't have an on-screen menu system or a remote, and instead uses your smartphone or tablet to handle all media selection and playback control.
Chromecast supports hundreds of different video apps and services, with major names like Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix, PlayStation Vue, Sling TV, and Vudu for video.
Music offerings are also generous, including Deezer, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Soundcloud, Spotify, Tidal, and TuneIn.
There are also plenty of subject- and outlet-specific apps, with most major channels compatible with Chromecast.
Of course, all Google streaming media services like Google Play Movies & TV, Google Play Music, YouTube, and YouTube Music are also supported.
You can cast from your computer as well, sending any Chrome tab to the Chromecast.
Literal Chrome casting works on Mac and Windows PCs, and lets you stream anything that will load from the web, with sound, to your TV.
There's plenty of flexibility for streaming between your mobile devices and computer, but it's still an awkward learning curve if you're used to using a remote and menu system.
If you have a Google Assistant device like a Google Home Mini, you can control the Chromecast with your voice.
If your smart speaker is connected to the same network and Google account, you can simply say, "Hey Google, watch (a movie or show) on Chromecast," and it will start playing.
The video apps that currently support Google Assistant control are far fewer in number than the apps you can control with your smartphone or tablet, and include Crackle, Google Play Movies & TV, Netflix, and YouTube.
Streaming Performance
The Chromecast supports video at up to 1080p resolution and 60 frames per second.
That's the same resolution as the second-generation model, but features the addition of 1080p60 content (60fps was only available at 720p on the second-generation Chromecast, otherwise 1080p content streamed up to 30fps).
That's a nice improvement, but it won't make much of a difference for most TVs and shows that stream in 24 or 30fps.
More importantly, the Chromecast still doesn't support ultra high definition (UHD, or 4K) or high dynamic range (HDR) video.
If you want 4K and HDR, you need to spend twice as much on a Chromecast Ultra.
According to Google, the new Chromecast is 15 percent faster than the previous one.
However, that's effectively impossible to determine because the Chromecast doesn't actually have an interface that can lag or feel more responsive on its own.
You control it entirely through your phone, tablet, or computer, which means any slow performance on the Chromecast can be attributed that device or your network connection rather than processing power.
The third-generation Chromecast has dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi, just like the previous model.
I streamed Black Panther from Netflix and some anime commentary videos from YouTube to the Chromecast using my phone, and mirrored my Chromebook screen to the Chromecast as well.
The streaming video loaded quickly, taking between five and ten seconds to start playing at a solid video quality.
The mirrored screen also appeared with little wait, though a lag of a fraction of a second between using the Chromebook and the streamed picture updating means you can't rely on Chromecast streaming as a wireless video connection for directly and comfortably using your device on a bigger screen (and to be fair, that has never been an option on the Chromecast).
The Same Chromecast as Before
The Google Chromecast is still one of the most affordable ways to stream media to your TV, but it's also showing its age.
This new version doesn't add anything new or present any significant upgrade beyond a nicer case.
It's still 1080p, so you need to get a Chromecast Ultra if you want to stream 4K.
It still relies on smartphone, tablet, or computer control instead of a remote and an on-screen interface, so there's a bit of a learning curve.
And it's still $35, which remains a very appealing price, but considering Roku has gotten close to that while offering 4K streaming with the $40 Roku Premiere, and the even-better $50 Roku Premiere+ (not to mention the upcoming Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K), it's a lot less tempting than it was a few years ago.
The Chromecast is a useful media streamer if you still haven't made the switch to 4K, but the $50-and-below competition is better than ever.
The Bottom Line
The new Google Chromecast media streamer is almost completely unchanged from its previous version.
It's still functional and affordable, but without 4K it's much less appealing than the competition.
