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Well, it’s been a good run, but all things must come to an end. According to a new report from 9To5Google (via XDA Developers), Google has officially discontinued the original Chromecast. The company pulled the plug on the device very quietly, and we’re just now getting this information.
The original Google Chromecast came out back in 2013. Since then, the brand grew and evolved with the ever-changing standards of media consumption. When it first launched, the device was capable of 1080p video at 30FPS. However, as 4K and HDR technology became more common, the brand adopted these technologies.
Through all of this, people still held out and kept their original Chromecast devices connected to their TVs. That may seem weird, but Google has been updating these devices ever since. It’s crazy to think of, seeing as this device launched three years before the first Pixel phone, and that device has long since lost software support.
Google finally discontinued the original Chromecast
This news was discovered on the Chromecast support page. The latest update to the page came on April 27th this year. It noted that “Support for Chromecast (1st gen) has ended, which means these devices no longer receive software or security updates.” Not only that, but these devices will no longer receive tech support from Google either.
Now, it doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to use your device. You’re still able to use it to stream content from compatible apps. However, the company notes that you will see a degradation in performance.
It makes sense, as the updates provide bug and stability fixes. So, with no updates, you may notice a gradual decline in performance. In all honesty, this 10-year-old device might not be the best performer even with the updates.
More importantly, since Google is getting rid of the security updates, it can put your device at risk of being infiltrated by bad actors. Not to fearmonger, but that is a reality.
If you want to continue using your device, you are free to. However, you can consider upgrading to a newer model. You can find newer models of Chromecast devices on different storefronts such as Amazon and Best Buy. Also, you can also buy one straight from Google.