Google kills the Chromecast Audio

Enlarge / The Chromecast Audio let you hook up just about any audio device to the cast ecosystem through a 3.5mm jack. RIP.
Another day, another dead Google product. Today, Google is discontinuing the Chromecast Audio. The company told Android Police it has stopped manufacturing the audio-only version of the Chromecast, so when the current stock runs out, the product will presumably be gone forever. Here is the full statement given to Android Police:
Our product portfolio continues to evolve, and now we have a variety of products for users to enjoy audio. We have therefore stopped manufacturing our Chromecast Audio products. We will continue to offer assistance for Chromecast Audio devices, so users can continue to enjoy their music, podcasts and more.
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The Chromecast is a popular way to beam online media from one device to another. Buttons in YouTube, Chrome, Netflix, Spotify, Soundcloud, Facebook, and about a million other apps allow users to easily send media to a display or speaker.
While the HDMI version of the Chromecast is sticking around, the audio version, which connected to an existing speaker or sound system with a 3.5mm jack, is dead. Going forward, Google's audio plans seem to mostly revolve around smart speakers like the Google Home and other devices with cast functionality built in. But the Chromecast Audio was a great way to tack on smart functionality to existing or exotic audio setups. It's a shame it's gone.
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