Is Microsoft working on its own Chromecast device?
David Farnor | On 31, Aug 2014
Microsoft may be working on its own Chromecast device, according to new reports.
An FCC filing, spotted by Windows Phone Daily, revealed a new sketch for an accessory called the “HD-10”. With no charging capacity evident, WPD concludes that the dongle has Miracast capability (spotted by Nokia Power User in the Wi-Fi Alliance product database) – a little-known technology which lets a Windows Phone device to project (or cast) what is on its screen to a compatible monitor or TV via Wi-Fi.
There has been no official confirmation from Microsoft, but the device, which has Wi-Fi support, boasts a USB and HDMI port, both of which are required by streaming media devices such as the Apple TV box and Roku Streaming Stick.
The latest Lumia Cyan update for Windows Phone 8.1 devices will reportedly introduce Miracast to the Nokia Lumia mobile product line, which will bring the casting system to a wider audience and higher level of awareness.
Microsoft will hold a Lumia event on Thursday 4th September at IFA in Berlin. Will they reveal more officially then? Who knows? But with Google Chromecast proving a strong success – since it first launched last year in the US, people have hit the cast button more than 400 million times, while 30,000 stores have now been launched across 20 countries – it is not unreasonable to suspect that Microsoft aims to have a chunk of that pie for itself. Despite the fact, of course, that Google’s own casting device is already supported by Windows Phone (as well as Android and iOS) devices.