Googles brand-new $50 “Chromecast with Google television” has actually supplanted the Chromecast Ultra in virtually every way– so you most likely wont be shocked to hear Google is eliminating its original 4K streaming gadget. The Chromecast Ultra is now out of stock at every major United States merchant, including the Google Shop, where its product page reroutes to the new Chromecast.
Its not formally “ceased,” mind you: Google says it will still be available at “select retailers,” even though were seeing no stock at Amazon, Best Buy, Target, Walmart, The Home Depot, Staples, etc, and although B&H Photo actually notes it as “terminated” right now.
There is still one method to buy one– because when Google announced its 2020 Chromecast, the new item relatively left a couple of gaping holes.
For some families (and for the best efficiency with Stadia), the fact that the brand-new Chromecast does not come with an Ethernet adapter like the Chromecast Ultra might likewise appear like an oversight, but Google has an answer for them too: it silently launched a $20 Ethernet plus power adapter for the new Chromecast today.
At $50 for the Chromecast and $20 for the brand-new adapter, you d be paying the exact same $70 you would for the Ultra formerly. Like the Chromecast Ultra adapter, it tops out at a 100Mbps wired connection, however neither Stadia nor todays streaming video services need more. (You might likewise have the ability to utilize a USB-C to Ethernet hub for your new Chromecast; we found at least one that worked.).
The brand-new “Ethernet Adapter for Chromecast with Google Television.” Image: Google
As we reported earlier today, the brand-new Chromecast will not support Googles Stadia cloud video gaming service till at some point in the first half of next year. What are those buyers to do? They can still buy the $99.99 Stadia Premiere Edition, which Google validates will still feature a Chromecast Ultra alongside its Stadia controller.
Its not like Stadia buyers would want a Chromecast Ultra without a Stadia controller anyhow. The initial Ultra didnt have Bluetooth, and Googles proprietary Wi-Fi based controller is the only method to link. Thats not a problem with the brand-new Chromecast, as we found when we played some sideloaded Stadia with an Xbox gamepad.
9to5Google reports the $30 2018 Chromecast will stay alongside the new $50 one, by the way. You wont get a bundled push-button control or 4K streaming with that one, however, simply 1080p content you sling from your phone.
Update, 5:13 PM ET: Added that the brand-new Ethernet adapter is of the 10/100Mbps range, similar to the original Chromecast Ultras bundled one.
As we reported earlier today, the brand-new Chromecast wont support Googles Stadia cloud gaming service until sometime in the first half of next year. They can still purchase the $99.99 Stadia Premiere Edition, which Google verifies will still come with a Chromecast Ultra together with its Stadia controller.
At $50 for the Chromecast and $20 for the new adapter, you d be paying the same $70 you would for the Ultra formerly.
