Earlier this year, Google rebranded the Chromecast app as Google Cast, a new name better suited to the ecosystem of devices compatible with the technology. At the time, the change made sense, separating Google’s physics and unique Chromecast line from speakers and TVS that also included the technology. But now, Google is changing that.
Chromecast is a new connected device that Google announced on July 25, 2013. The device runs a simplified version of The Chrome operating system and plugs into your TV’s HDMI port.
Variety reports that the “Google Cast” brand is being phased out. And Google is planning to push its partners to use the technology in their products, rebranding the feature as “Chromecast built-in.”
Google has been quietly implementing this change over the past few weeks, with some partners, such as Vizio, removing Google Cast from their sites. Just yesterday, Google even changed the name of the @Googlecast Twitter account to @Chromecast.
Google’s own sites, including Google.com/cast, are also switching to new terminology. However, Google’s Cast landing page still mentions Google Cast, but says it’s “also called Chromecast built-in,” which means Google is somehow keeping Google Cast, perhaps just removing it from the consumer market.
The change puts everything under a better-known brand, and it makes sense. Google has sold millions of Chromecasts, and the name is already familiar to many consumers by this point, so both Oems and Google could benefit from the new brand.