One of the biggest holdouts for Chromecast support — that'd be Spotify — can finally take advantage of Google's excellent streaming protocol. But it's not quite as simple as it could be (or should be, perhaps), as there are a few caveats to how things are going to work.
The updated application is available now through Google Play. Here's what you can expect, and we've confirmed what Spotify laid out in its announcement post late last month:
- If you have a new Chromecast (as in the round one), everything will just work as you'd expect. Period.
- If you have a first-generation Chromecast (the one that kind of looks like a key), the Spotify app won't see it. Spotify says a firmware update for the Chromecast should enable support at some point. Nexus Player and Shield Tablet aren't visible, either.
- If you want to stream through the new Chromecast Audio — or through another Cast-enabled target like the LG Music Flow speaker — you'll need to spring for the $9.99-a-month Spotify Premium services. (Which also gets rid of the ads.)
That last point is sort of a weird one though — there's nothing to keep you from playing through a new Chromecast connected to a proper receiver and stereo system, as a lot of us will do. But let's not pretend that music licensing has ever made sense.
More: Read our complete Chromecast 2015 review
Where to buy
Here's where to buy a new Chromecast for $35:
Google Walmart Best Buy Currys UK
And here's where to buy a new Chromecast Audio, also $35:
