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Don’t be too excited about the new Chromecast Google is going to soon launch

Published Oct 20th, 2014 6:50AM EDT
Second-gen Chromecast Specs and Release Date
Image: Google Inc.

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The Chromecast dongle is one of the most popular gadgets Google launched in the last few years, according to the company’s own past statements, but a second-generation model is yet to hit stores. But when it does come out, a new Chromecast won’t have any new features to offer users, Google has confirmed, after an FCC filing outed the second-generation device.

FROM EARLIER: Chromecast’s powers may soon extend to the realm of online games

The new Chromecast offers 802.11n Wi-Fi support and micro USB charging, 9to5Google reports, but the FCC documentation doesn’t reveal any other details about it.

Online publication Phandroid found in a new ask-me-anything session on Reddit, held by six members of Google’s Chromecast team, an explanation for the new hardware.

“We’re always working to update Chromecast with the latest software and hardware components, but we don’t have any new user-facing features planned for this device,” a Googler said when asked about the FCC listing.

“No plans for big announcement on this one. Mostly because it will have the same features as the original and most users won’t notice a difference. Sorry–I can’t say more about this topic,” he added.

It’s not clear what the new Chromecast will have to offer, or why Google is still quiet about it, since it already said it won’t have any new significant features. Google is yet to officially announce release date plans for a second-gen Chromecast, but the company might be interested in selling buyers a different kind of content consumption device this fall than a cheap new Chromecast, the recently announced Nexus Player Android TV.

The full FCC listing is available at the source link.

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.