Google Cast app rebranded as Google Home
Earlier this month, it became apparent that the Google Cast app would be rebranded as Google Home. With the new Google Home hardware set to face off with the likes of the Amazon Echo and Soundhound's notably similar bit of kit, the naming scheme keeps things nice and uniform. Now, the change is coming into effect via an update, which also readies the app for the new Google Home and Chromecast Ultra hardware.
If you don't intend to purchase either the Google Home or Chromecast Ultra, there's not much of great substance to this update. The app icon is now different, in-keeping with the rebrand, and the UX will feel slightly refreshed thanks to a couple of tweaks. Notably, the search bar has been dropped in place of a floating action button in the bottom right corner. Meanwhile, the What's On, Devices and Get Apps tabs have been simplified to Watch and Discover, with the Device tab having been canned altogether.
As you can see above, the new icon is not rounded -- a seemingly curious decision given that Google's Android 7.1 Nougat carries a theme of rounded icons throughout. Still, it hits the trifecta in being simple, clean and to-the-point.
Formerly known as Chromecast, this is the now the app's third moniker in just over three years. Still, with the Google Home device being positioned as a game-changer in the fields of AI and smart home, we don't foresee any further adjustments to the name in the near future.
Download Google Home on the Play Store
source: Phandroid
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