Tag: Chromecast

  • Netflix Update Disables Casting to TV: What You Need to Know

    Netflix Update Disables Casting to TV: What You Need to Know

    Key Takeaways

    1. The “cast” feature has been removed for some Netflix users on specific smart TVs and streaming devices, as well as for accounts on the ad-supported plan.
    2. Users affected by this change must now use their TV or streaming device remote to browse Netflix, as casting from mobile devices is no longer supported.
    3. The casting feature remains available for users with older Chromecast devices or TVs that support Google Cast.
    4. Users without these options need to install the native Netflix app on their smart TVs or streaming boxes to continue accessing content.
    5. This removal of features reflects a trend of increasing restrictions on how consumers engage with streaming content, raising concerns about consumer rights in the industry.

    A recent update has led to the quiet removal of a feature from some Netflix users’ accounts.

    Removal of the “Cast” Feature

    The “cast” feature, which enables subscribers to stream media from their mobile devices to a TV or streaming box connected to the same network, has been taken away from users who own certain smart TVs and streaming devices. Moreover, this feature is no longer available for accounts on the ad-supported plan.

    In a post on its Help Center website named “Can’t find ‘Cast’ button in Netflix app,” Netflix explains that the service “no longer supports casting shows from a mobile device to most TVs and TV-streaming devices.” Users who are impacted will now have to rely on the remote that came with their smart TV or streaming device to browse Netflix.

    Availability on Older Devices

    However, the casting feature is still accessible to subscribers using “an older Chromecast device” (though it isn’t specified what qualifies as “older”) or “a TV that works with Google Cast.” If neither option applies, users will need to install the native Netflix app on their smart TVs or streaming boxes.

    This change occurs at a time when streaming platforms seem to be becoming more restrictive about how users can engage with the content they pay for. With Sony removing purchased items due to contractual issues and costs of streaming services continually increasing, consumer rights in the streaming media sector seem to be eroding rapidly.

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  • Google Launches Update to Fix 2nd Gen Chromecast Issues

    Google Launches Update to Fix 2nd Gen Chromecast Issues

    Key Takeaways

    1. Google is releasing a solution for issues faced by second-generation Chromecast users, including Chromecast Audio.
    2. Users received apologies from Google, and devices should now work properly with automatic firmware updates.
    3. A temporary fix involved resetting the device and changing the date to before March 9th, and updating the Google Home app.
    4. Users can check their firmware versions in the Google Home app, with new versions for Chromecast and Chromecast Audio specified.
    5. The global rollout of updates may take a few days, and the issue is believed to be linked to an expired certificate authority.

    Last week, a lot of users faced troubles while trying to cast content using their second-generation Chromecast devices, including Chromecast Audio. Google is now in the process of releasing a solution for this issue.

    Apologies from Google

    In a message sent to users who were affected, Google expressed their “sincere apologies” for the problems and assured that the devices “should now work properly.” If you haven’t done a reset on your device, it is expected to update automatically to the latest firmware and resume its normal function.

    Workaround Solutions

    One temporary fix that helped some users involved resetting the device and changing the date manually to a date before March 9th. If you opted for this reset method, Google suggests that you update your Google Home app to the most recent version, which is 3.30.1.6 for Android and 3.30.106 for iOS, and then set up your devices anew.

    To verify if your devices have the latest firmware, you can check the version numbers. For Chromecast, the new firmware version is 1.56.467165, while for Chromecast Audio, it should be 1.56.467166. You can find your device’s firmware version by opening your Google Home app, pressing and holding your device’s name, and selecting settings > device information. It should be located in “Technical Information.”

    Global Rollout of Updates

    Google has mentioned that the updates for the Home app and the new firmware are slowly being made available to users around the globe, though it might take a few days for it to show up for everyone. Although Google hasn’t officially acknowledged the issue, users on Reddit suggested it could be related to an “intermediate certificate authority that expired on March 9th, 2025.”

    This situation led to the devices failing authentication checks on Google’s servers and is believed to be “likely an unintentional mistake by Google where they overlooked the CA expiry.”

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  • Chromecast with Google TV Gets Android 14: Hold Off on Update

    Chromecast with Google TV Gets Android 14: Hold Off on Update

    Key Takeaways

    1. Google has released a software update for Chromecast with Google TV, upgrading from Android 12 to Android 14.
    2. The update, version UTTC.241218.004, is 809MB in size and adds compatibility for a new Voice Remote.
    3. The update includes a security patch that extends support until January 2025, along with system improvements and stability enhancements.
    4. Some users have reported issues after updating, including problems with local media support and USB drive recognition.
    5. Potential users are advised to consider waiting before installing the update due to mixed feedback.

    Google has started to release a new software update for the Chromecast with Google TV streaming device. This update represents an upgrade from Android 12 to Android 14 for the now-discontinued device. Originally, this update was expected to be available last year, but it faced some delays.

    Update Details

    The update is identified as version UTTC.241218.004 and has a size of 809MB. According to the changelog, this update upgrades the Android TV version from 12 to 14. Additionally, it appears to add compatibility for the Google TV Streamer’s Voice Remote, which is sold on Amazon for $99.98. This remote includes features such as Find My Remote and a customizable button. Other enhancements include a security patch that extends support until January 2025, along with general system improvements and stability.

    User Feedback

    Before you decide to install this update, you might want to think twice, as there have been several complaints from users who have already done so.

    One user mentioned that the update has caused issues with local media support, resulting in a low power warning even though they are using a 30W power brick. Another user noted that their USB drive was no longer recognized despite multiple attempts to reboot the streamer and reconnect the drive. While these are only a few isolated incidents, it might be wise to hold off for a bit longer to gather more opinions.

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  • Google Fixes Casting Issues for 2nd Gen Chromecast Users

    Google Fixes Casting Issues for 2nd Gen Chromecast Users

    Key Takeaways

    1. Second-generation Chromecast devices, including Chromecast Audio, are experiencing casting issues reported by users on Reddit.
    2. Users attempted various troubleshooting steps, like resetting devices, but were unsuccessful in resolving the problem.
    3. Two workarounds emerged: resetting the device and setting the date before March 9, 2025, or using a specific tool with settings adjustments.
    4. Google has not officially acknowledged the issue, but customer support confirmed awareness and is working on a fix.
    5. The problem may be linked to an expired intermediate certificate authority, causing authentication failures for these devices.

    A peculiar global “casting” issue appears to be impacting second-generation Chromecast devices, which include Chromecast Audio. The first mention of this problem surfaced on Reddit, catching attention on the r/googlehome subreddit, where numerous users expressed their inability to cast content using their devices.

    Troubleshooting Attempts

    Users have shared (via Android Police) their attempts at resolving the issue, which included resetting their devices, but none of the steps have been successful. It’s possible that this problem stems from a faulty update that Google may have released. Users reported encountering one of two error messages: either “We couldn’t authenticate your Chromecast” or “Untrusted device: [device name] couldn’t be verified. This could be caused by outdated device firmware.”

    Workarounds Found

    As Google works on a solution, two workarounds have emerged on Reddit. One user, reading_crows on r/googlehome, mentioned that they managed to get their device functioning again by resetting it and manually setting the date to before March 9th, 2025. This method should enable users to re-add their devices through the Google Home app.

    The second workaround is a bit more complex, requiring the download of a specific tool and some adjustments to settings. Although Google has yet to officially recognize the outage, customer support informed one user that the company was “aware of the problem and waiting for a fix.”

    Theories Behind the Issue

    One Reddit contributor speculated that the problem might be linked to “an intermediate certificate authority that expired March 9th, 2025.” This expiration appears to be causing authentication failures on Google’s servers for the second-generation Chromecast devices. It was suggested that this could be “an unintentional mistake by Google where they failed to account for the CA expiry.”

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  • New Chromecast with Google TV Leaked: Official Render Reveals Design

    New Chromecast with Google TV Leaked: Official Render Reveals Design

    Google’s journey in the streaming device market has been marked by various form factors. From the short-lived Nexus Q sphere to the widely popular Chromecast dongle, the company has continually experimented. Now, it looks like Google is moving away from the dongle design with its new offering, the Google TV Streamer.

    Leaked by 9to5Google, this new device showcases a different design compared to the Chromecast with Google TV (4K) released in 2020. Instead of a dongle, the Google TV Streamer adopts a more conventional set-top box design.

    Design and Form

    Visually, the Google TV Streamer resembles a large, white pill. Unlike the Chromecast, it is not meant to be plugged directly into your TV’s HDMI port. Instead, it sits on a table like other traditional streaming devices.

    The design features a tilting top section, and the back of the device has two cables. However, the specific ports these cables connect to are not shown in the image.

    Remote Control Changes

    The remote also comes with some significant changes. While it maintains a layout similar to the Chromecast with Google TV remote, it is now longer to fit additional buttons.

    The circular navigation pad and center button layout remain familiar, but there are now dedicated back and home buttons, with the latter accented in grey.

    A notable change is the replacement of the Google Assistant button with a microphone button. Additionally, the volume control buttons have been moved from the side to the front, next to a dedicated mute button.

    For ease of use, there are quick launch buttons for YouTube and Netflix. The bottom row features the power button and a customizable Magic button, first seen on Walmart’s Onn Google TV 4K Pro Streaming Device.

    Expected Features

    Although details on the internal hardware are limited, the Google TV Streamer is anticipated to support 4K streaming and will run the latest version of Android TV, currently Android TV 14. Google is expected to unveil the streaming device at the Made by Google event on August 13th.

    New Chromecast with Google TV Leaked: Official Render Reveals Design
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