Google Officially Ends Support for First-Generation Chromecast
In a development that marks the end of an era, Google has officially ended support for the first-generation Chromecast, the company’s pioneering streaming device. The Chromecast was a game-changer upon its debut, introducing the ability to mirror screens directly to TV sets, a feature that was not commonplace at the time of its launch and has since become a standard in the best TVs.
The first-generation Chromecast’s support was quietly discontinued in April, with the last update, firmware version 1.36.159268, addressing minor bug fixes and improvements. However, the announcement was subtly included in firmware release notes and has only been discovered recently.
This move does not come as a surprise to many, given previous indicators of the Chromecast’s impending phase-out. Sales of the original streaming dongle were discontinued in 2015, and in 2019, Google announced it would no longer introduce new features to the device. While many first-generation Chromecast owners have likely upgraded their devices since then, it is still a poignant moment to see the original Chromecast finally retired.
For users still utilizing a first-generation Chromecast, it’s advisable to consider upgrading. Although the device will still function, Google warns that users “may notice a degradation in performance.” Furthermore, with the cessation of technical support, it would be nearly impossible to rectify any issues that may arise. Notably, Chromecast devices have the potential to be vulnerable to malicious actors, raising security concerns. For instance, a 2018 incident saw Chromecasts revealing user locations to potential hackers, thereby exposing home networks to potential unwanted access. While this was rectified with a patch from Google, no further fixes will be made available for the first-generation Chromecast should similar issues occur in the future.
For users looking to upgrade, several options are available. The Chromecast with Google TV 4K is a standout choice, featuring an included remote, Google Assistant, and the Google TV smart TV user interface. Alternatively, users can consider upgrading their TV sets to models with built-in Chromecast functionality, thereby eliminating the need for an extra dongle. Several highly-rated TVs with Chromecast built-in have been tested and recommended for anyone considering an upgrade. The best Google TVs tested also feature built-in Chromecast, offering users a range of upgrade options.
