The Google Chromecast is an affordable little gadget that turns your dumb TV into a smart one. Shaped like a USB stick, it plugs into your TV’s HDMI port and you can start enjoying your online content on the bigger screen.
Now the new Chromecast 2 (or known simply as the New Chromecast) has arrived in Malaysia and it is available exclusively on Lazada for RM199.
Compared to the first gen model, the new Chromecast is now shaped like a puck with a dangling HDMI cable. It looks quite clumsy compared to the current “stick” shape but this is done to accommodate TVs with awkward HDMI port placements. It is also powered by microUSB which you can plug into your TV’s USB port or you can plug in with the provided power adapter.
So what’s new with the latest version? Apart from the design, the new Chromecast supports faster 802.11ac WiFi at 5GHz and its new adaptive antenna helps to improve connectivity in your home. This should offer better reliability and less buffering. The processor is said to be more powerful but maximum video output remains the same at Full HD 1080p. On Lazada Malaysia, the new Chromecast costs RM199.
Chromecast supports most devices including your desktop, Android and iOS devices. You can cast almost anything from Netflix, iflix, Plex, Spotify Chrome browser and YouTube.
Also listed is the new Chromecast Audio, which lets you stream your digital music to your home speakers. Similar to the Chromecast for TV, it is powered by microUSB while the other end receives audio from a standard 3.5mm audio jack. You may plug it to your existing speakers that use RCA and Optical connection but you’ll need to buy the cables separately. Compared to a typical Bluetooth audio setup, Chromecast Audio is able to deliver better sound as it streams wirelessly on 802.11ac 5GHz WiFi. It is also priced at RM199 but it is currently out of stock on Lazada at the time of writing.
If you plan on getting the Chromecast for TV, you can buy it from the Lazada app and use the “SAVE50” promo code when making payment. That will give you 15% off, costing you just RM169.15. Overall, this is a pretty good deal considering they are bundling 1-year free iflix subscription worth RM96. If you order now, they will ship to you for free with expected delivery between 14-16 June 2016.
For more info, head over to Lazada’s Chromecast 2 page.
Thanks @KevinNgTK for the heads up!
New Chromecast
Chromecast Audio