Difference Between Google Cast and Chromecast

While reading and writing about Google Chromecast, I found mentions of “Google Chromecast” and “Google Cast” on different pages and articles. I thought both were the same. But looks like that’s not the case. There is a small difference between these two things.

Difference Between Chromecast and Google Cast

Here is the difference. Chromecast is the dongle that you connect to the TV. Google Cast is the software environment or ecosystem that powers the Google Chromecast.

Here is the official description of Chromecast:

With Chromecast, you can easily enjoy your favorite online entertainment on your HDTV—movies, TV shows, music, and more from Netflix, YouTube, Google Play, and Chrome. No more huddling around small screens and tiny speakers. Chromecast automatically updates to work with a growing number of apps.

Now, Google Cast:

Google Cast is a screen-sharing technology that lets a user send and control content like video from a small computing device like a phone, tablet, or laptop to a large display device like a television.

More OEMs to Make Chromecast Like Dongles?

We already saw one rumor: “Is Sony Working on a Chromecast?” If Google Cast is something that Google is ready to ship to OEMs, we will definitely see more companies making Google Cast devices, say, a Galaxy Cast from Samsung or Xperia Cast from Sony.

What do you guys think?