Google Stadia Might Be The Answer To A Big Problem Of Chromecast

Google is working its way into our living rooms. However, its strategy has a huge problem lies with the Chromecast. Luckily, the upcoming service of game streaming - Google Stadia might offer a solution.

Not like most TV streaming devices on the market (like Roku, Apple TV, Amazon), the Chromecast does not come with a remote. Google designed it to stream video/content right from our smartphone wirelessly. For example, it will call up a movie from the Netflix app on your phone and present that on the TV. On phones that run Android OS, you could even mirror your phone screen to the TV with it.

Google launched Chromecast back in 2013 with the price tag of just RS 2,510. It was really a production of revelation. We finally got a seamless way to share our phone screen to a bigger screen wirelessly.

Six years after that launch, Chromecast has established itself as the number one streaming device from Google. In terms of streaming content, this device is capable of handling its job effortlessly. However, it lacks a user interface (not like Roku, Apple TV, or Amazon), which is a deal-breaker for some. Why do you have to fiddle with your smartphone and Chromecast, when other products offer you a full UI and remote control for not much more money?

The success of Chromecast even almost took Google by surprise. Rishi Chandra (a product manager at Google) said in an interview that the same as its success, the future direction of Chromecast might be challenging to predict. He also noted that sometimes thing that started small might end up much more significant than we thought it would be, and that is the case of Chromecast. He also added that as Stadia coming up, and streaming and hardware business continues to evolve, it is interesting to see what will become next of the Chromecast.

In a certain way, the Chromecast was an unexpected success. But now it has started to show problems.

How Might Google Stadia Save Chromecast?

Google Stadia has the capability of changing the approach of Google to our living room. It will allow users to enjoy AAA games without expensive hardware. To achieve that, it uses powerful server hardware to stream games to your supported computer, smartphone, or other devices.

At Stadia Connect, Google outlined their strategy where they put the Chromecast at the center to take on the Xbox One of Microsoft and PS4 of Sony. While Google plans to support a number of devices later in 2020. For this November launch, we will see the release of a Founder's Edition (Rs 9,322). This package includes Stadia Pro for three months, a Chromecast Ultra (with 4K-ready), and a Stadia controller (limited edition).

This Stadia controller might give us some hints on what Google wants to do with its Chromecast. The controller will connect directly to a router via wifi to stream the game, then casting the content to your Chromecast. Unlike on other devices, you will need the Stadia controller to play games via the Chromecast.

We do not have many details on this matter yet. But it looks like the service will come together with a type of UI when you want to use it via Chromecast with a Stadia controller. Think about it! Without a smartphone screen, you would need a UI to select the games.

Chromecast With Android TV?

Google made Stadia for you to play video games. However, its setup really shows a way to use a remote to control a large-screen interface without affecting the Chromecast's design.

What could it be like? Currently, Google is already offering Android TV to 3rd party manufacturers as on-screen UI for their devices. Android TV is capable of running on devices such as Nvidia Shield TV. The team of Chromecast has also said that they want to explore this strategy further.

It could be a smart move, as many users are already familiar with the UI of Android TV. About 10% of smart TVs shipped last year comes with Android TV, especially in China. Bringing a UI like that to the Chromecast could help consumers get used to it faster.

As the Chromecast gets more mature and a full UI with peripheral, it could be a signal for Google and their push toward our living room.