Google outs chromecast-enabled games for Android and iOS

Google has outed several new games made for the $35 Chromecast. The games will be available on Android and iOS. They include Angry Bird Friends (lets you compete in weekly tournaments) and Driver Speedboat Paradise. 

Additionally, a few of Hasbro's game have also been remastered for the Chromecast experience where your phone or tablet is your controller. Monopoly Here & Now, Yahtzee Blitz, The Game of Life, Scrabble Blitz 2.0 and Risk are now available. Unfortunately the Hasbro games are available only in the US and Canada.

Some of the games offer split-screen experience. For example, if you are playing Monopoly Here & Now, You can see the cards on your phone while the moves you decide to make gets displayed on the big screen.

You can also check out the complete set of Chromecast-enabled games here that offers split screen experience. Many more games will continue to be made available, added Google.

New Google Chromecast may debut this month

According to a report from 9to5Google, Internet search giant Google, will launch the second gen Chromecast streaming device along with the new Nexus devices later this month. The new Chromecast will sport a balloon-like design compared to the dongle-like design on the first gen.

9to5Google citing internal documents reveals that the new Chromecast will comes with faster 802.11ac connectivty and will have support for content feeds on the Chromecast homescreen. It will support Fast Play, a feature that will allow Chromecast to establish a connection much quicker and play content seamlessly when the Cast button is pressed on the connected device.

The new Chromecast will have a 'Chromecast Audio" feature which allows users to plug in their Chromecasts directly to external speakers via an auxilary cord. This feature is said to have multi-room support, the ability to mirror your Chrome or Android audio, and delivers “high-quality” audio. The new Chromecast will come in Red, Black and Yellow colors.

For those who don't know, Chromecast is a thumb-sized media streaming device that plugs into the TV via HDMI port. It is used to cast your favorite movies, apps and contents from your Android device, iOS device, Mac, Windows or Chromebook right to the big screen wirelessly.

Google is expected to launch the new Chromecast alongside the new Nexus smartphones made by LG and Huawei at its September 29 event.

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Google launches a $15 Chromecast Ethernet Adapter

Google's dongle-shaped Chromecast is a popular streaming device that lets you stream (via Wi-Fi) Google Cast apps and Internet video services like YouTube, Netflix and other content through HDMI port of TVs or other HD display. In short, it turns your TV to smart TV. The device had drawbacks with WiFi being limited to 2.4GHz Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n bands instead of 5GHz WiFi 802.11ac bands. 

Now Google has released an accessory for Chromecast that gives the ability to add a wired connection for hard-to-reach WiFi spots. Dubbed as 'Ethernet Adapter for Chromecast'. It has a Micro-USB port at one end and an AC power adaptor with RJ-45 ports on the other. It supports 10/100 Ethernet connections.

This optional accessory lets you connect your Chromecast directly to your router to create a fast and reliable connection for your Chromecast.

Users can now plug the adapter cable port (Micro-USB) to the USB port of Chromecast, and with the AC power adapter it will not only power the chromecast, but also connect to the internet with Ethernet (RJ-45) cable.

Connect the included USB cable to the Chromecast, run an Ethernet cable from the router to the power supply, and plug in.

The Ethernet Adapter for Chromecast is priced at $15 and is available via Google Store. Unfortunately, it is now out of stock. There are no details when it will be available out of the U.S.