At CES 2024, Google is unveiling updates and new product features, focusing on enhancing compatibility and user experience across devices. Notably, Chromecast will now support casting TikTok to Chromecast-enabled screens, including the ability to cast live streams in the future. Additionally, Google introduces features for greater synergy between Spotify and YouTube Music on compatible Pixel phones and docked Pixel Tablets, mirroring an Apple feature between Homepods and iPhones.
The expansion of devices with Chromecast built-in includes the upcoming 2024 LG TV series, and later this year, Chromecast support will extend to LG Hospitality and Healthcare, allowing users to cast content without logging into personal Google accounts. Fast Pair support is being extended to Chromecasts with Google TV, facilitating easier connection of headphones to TV dongles, with plans for broader Fast Pair support on more Google TV devices later in the year.
Google’s file-sharing tool, Nearby Share, introduced in 2020, is unified with Samsung’s Quick Share under the Quick Share name. This collaboration aims to provide a streamlined and cohesive peer-to-peer content-sharing solution across all Android and Chromebook devices. Google is working with LG and leading PC manufacturers to pre-install Quick Share on most Windows PCs, promoting a unified sharing experience.
With the rollout of Quick Share to current Nearby Share-enabled devices, users will notice a new icon that allows them to view available devices and select recipients for media sharing. Similar to Apple’s AirDrop, users can customize visibility settings to be seen by everyone, contacts only, or exclusively on their own devices. Google emphasizes the collaboration with Samsung and the integration of experiences, aiming to create a default, built-in sharing solution for the Android and Chromebook ecosystems.
It’s worth mentioning that Apple upgraded AirDrop with the release of iOS 17, allowing users to share files simply by bringing the heads of two phones together, further enhancing the seamless file-sharing experience on Apple devices.
