While looking a bit like the 2nd version of Google’s wildly-popular streaming dongle, the new Chromecast 4K takes a decidedly clean aesthetic approach, even removing the Chrome logo altogether.
From the early reports we are seeing, it seems that the device is still called a Chromecast, even though all markings of Chrome are gone.
From last week, we’ve seen the latest Preview Program update remove the Chrome logo in favor of the big G. Looks like the new hardware is catching up with this change.
Another thing to consider here is the name of the actual service a Chromecast utilizes. From the Chrome, Android and iOS apps we see the name Google Cast, not Chromecast, when referencing the actual function of the device. It’s actually been this way for quite some time. So, while I’m casting to a Chromecast, I’m using the Google Cast function to do so. It can get a bit confusing.
I’ve long wondered why they called it a Chromecast in the first place. Though called a “simplified version of Chrome OS” at first, it was later discovered that it shared more in common with Android than with Chrome OS. Maybe Chromecast just sounded better? Likely it was a play to get away from Android or Google in reference to TV, as the company’s earlier efforts weren’t received very well.
Either way, the device has become a household name and a staple in many homes and offices. A rebrand seems like an odd move at this point. No one cares about APIs and programming language; they simply care about something that works.
And in consumer minds, Chromecast just works.
While it seems unlikely that Google would change the name of their most popular hardware success, the outer branding change and boot screen logo seem pointed in that direction. As Chrome, Chrome OS, and Chromecast have all been received exceptionally well across all consumer segments, I sincerely hope Google considers this most popular brand before making any rash changes.
