What you need to know
- The first-generation Chromecast will not be receiving major updates anymore.
- First-generation Chromecast hardware is currently on stable version 1.36.157768, while the newer Chromecast devices are on 1.40.156414.
- Google hasn't confirmed whether it is ending support for the original Chromecast entirely.
Google released its first Chromecast in 2013, allowing users to stream high-definition content to their TV or monitor from a smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Six years later, Google has reportedly decided to stop delivering major updates to the original Chromecast.
As noted by the folks over at 9To5Google, the original Chromecast is currently on stable version 1.36.157768. On the other hand, newer Chromecast devices are running version 1.40.156414.
The middle portion of the firmware version denotes the version of Chrome that is used on a device. While 1.40 uses Chrome 74, 1.36 uses Chrome 70, which was released nearly a year back. This means the original Chromecast will not receive any new features that may be added to newer Chromecast devices with future updates.
While the fact that the original Chromecast is stuck on an older firmware version seems to suggest Google is ending support for the device, the company hasn't officially confirmed the same yet. In a statement to 9To5Google, Google said:
Chromecast recently celebrated its 6th birthday. We're thrilled that some of our earliest adopters are still enjoying the first-generation device, and we continue to update it with bug and security fixes.
Google Chromecast
The 3rd Generation Google Chromecast is a very affordable streaming device that lets you stream in 1080p Full HD resolution and is compatible with nearly all popular streaming apps.
- $35 at Amazon (opens in new tab)
