google chromecast: Google to stop selling Chomecast Audio, here’s why

Google to stop selling Chomecast Audio, here’s whyGoogle to stop selling Chomecast Audio, here’s whyHeena Gupta Google has confirmed that it has discontinued its audio streaming device — Chromecast audio. TIMESOFINDIA.COMUpdated: Jan 14, 2019, 12:31PM IST

NEW DELHI: Tech giant Google has revealed that it has stopped making its audio streaming device — Chromecast Audio. The company has decided to do discontinue the streaming adapter as it is now focusing more on smart speakers.

As reported by Android Police, a spokesperson of the company has also confirmed this development. The Google spokesperson said, “Our product portfolio continues to evolve, and now we have a variety of products for users to enjoy audio. We have therefore stopped manufacturing our Chromecast Audio products. We will continue to offer assistance for Chromecast Audio devices, so users can continue to enjoy their music, podcasts and more.”

The company introduced the Google Chromecast Audio in 2015. Its main objective was to bring music streaming to existing stereo systems and speakers with the help of in-line connectivity. The device worked like a regular Chromecast but it didn’t have an HDMI port and it only worked with audio apps. The main highlight of the device is that it works independently and offers a better range and compared to the other Bluetooth adapters which convert wired speakers into Bluetooth ones.

Last year it was reported that Google has taken a lead in the smart speaker segment. According to a report, Google Home Mini was the world’s best-selling smart speaker in Q2 2018. The report also added that the global smart speaker shipments reached 11.7 million units in Q2 2018. Amazon Echo Cot was the second best-selling smart speaker. Apple’s HomePod didn’t even feature in the top five ranking of the shipments. Both Google Home Mini and Amazon Echo Dot accounted for a combined shipment of 38%. Tech giant Google managed to ship 2.3 million units of Google Home Mini globally, while Amazon shipped 2.2 million units of Echo Dot during Q2 2018.