The newest Google Chromecast is now available for purchase in several Home Depot stores ahead of its announcement in two days.
Google is set to announce its newest devices in a couple of days. In its event, Google is expected to release the new Google Pixel 5 and Google Pixel 4a 5G. Alongside it will be the new Google Nest devices and an all-new Google Chromecast device.
Normally, announced devices in events are available for purchase a few days or a week after their launch. However, the situation is far different from the new Google Chromecast device.
Google Chromecast is already available in Home Depot
The curious case of the Google Chromecast is a unique situation. It seems as if there was a supply chain misunderstanding between Google and its retailers. Several customers were reportedly able to purchase the newest Google Chromecast straight from a Home Depot store.
The Verge was able to confirm this bit of news when its staff actually went to a Home Depot to buy a unit for themselves. Google hasn’t ordered its retailers to pull out the items from the shelves. It may be a bit too late for them to do it anyway.
Is there anything we don't know or haven't seen at this point? Dude picked it up at Home Depot for $50. https://t.co/YiPh6RL42d pic.twitter.com/t2mr4o15iF
— Dave Zatz (@davezatz) September 28, 2020
The new Chromecast is still not available to be purchased online. It still isn’t available in all physical stores in the U.S. The funny thing about the whole situation is that the code that comes out in the receipt indicates that the item still hasn’t been labelled properly. Upon checking out, the Chromecast device is still named as “SABRINA-ABBEY ROCK CANDY.”
In other words, the earlier leaks about its code name are true and have been verified by the printed receipts. The Verge has reached out to Google for a comment on the situation but still hasn’t received a reply yet.
New features on the streaming device
Google doesn’t want to lag behind the streaming device industry. As such, it has shipped the Google Chromecast ready to take on the likes of Roku and AppleTV. Instead of just being reliant on a smartphone, the new Chromecast is a streaming device on its own.
The Google Chromecast will be powered by the newest rebranded Google TV from the original AndroidTV system. It will even have its own remote controller with dedicated buttons for Netflix and YouTube. It will also have a dedicated control for voice control of the Google Assistant for easier navigation and searches on the streaming device.
Image from XDA Developers/ YouTube thumbnail