Google today announced the Chromecast Insider Preview Program. The idea is to let users test out new firmware before it"s generally available to the public.
The company also says that this is not a beta program. Users will be getting early access to features that "will be of the same quality as production version updates." Here"s how you sign up:
From your Android or iOS device, open the Google Cast app
Tap the DEVICES tab to see your available Chromecast devices.
Scroll to find the device card for the Chromecast you"d like to enroll in the Preview Program.
In the top right corner of the device card, tap the device card menu .
Tap Device Settings.
Tap Preview Program. If you don’t see Preview Program, we aren’t accepting new members at this time. Please continue to check back as opportunities become available.
Choose whether to receive email notifications by moving the slider to the right or left. Note: We recommend allowing email notifications so you’ll know when new updates are pushed to your Chromecast device.
If you opt-in to email notifications, you"ll be asked to sign into your Google account if you haven’t already done so.
Review the contents of that page, and tap Join Program.
Review the contents of the page, then tap OK, GOT IT.
All Chromecast devices are eligible for the Program, including the first generation Chromecast, the second generation model, and the Chromecast Audio. Google won"t say just how often you"ll receive updates, but it did say that they will be shortly before they reach the public.
It"s rumored that Google may be launching a new Chromecast that will support 4K video in October; presumably, that will be supported as well.
Source: Google via Android Police