Documents filled by Google to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States show the next Chromecast is going to have beefed up Wi-Fi capabilities – in order to aid the device to deliver more reliable video streaming.
The documentation was originally filed on March 5, and now that the confidentiality period has expired we can see the exact kinds of improvements the newest Chromecast model will bring.
Changes to the device in the updated filing focus on the 5GHz Wi-Fi antenna, which is being altered to increase “maximum antenna gain”.
Simply put, Google needed to update their filing to explain that they wanted to increase the power transmitted toward a Wi-Fi router from what they had initially reported in their first filing.
The outcome for users is that Wi-Fi connections should be more reliable.
With this new information, a picture of the next generation is starting to come together. It has been a few years since the last model, so an upgrade to the device is due.
Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy were both exposed as new features in the initial filing. These additions suggest controller device support will be included in the next generation, allowing for remote, phone and game controller connectivity.
Chromecast will keep its iconic Star Trek inspired design, right down to the model naming conventions.
Release date and price remain unconfirmed, but we should expect to see the product launched alongside other Google device releases like the Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Google Smart Display, Pixelbook, Pixel Watch and Pixel Buds later this year.
