Audio solutions feature Google’s Cast-for-Audio technology

Cast-for-Audio is an online content delivery platform which allows users to stream music services, such as Deezer, Pandora and Google Play Music, directly from the cloud to Cast-enabled speakers, all controlled by the user’s mobile device. The key advantage of the system is that it allows users of multiple music services to stream audio through any set of Cast-enabled speakers, without being tethered to the mobile device. Cast-for-Audio uses the same technology which supports Google’s established Chromecast video streaming platform and is a key component of Google’s home media streaming strategy.

Frontier Silicon’s turnkey technology solution allows consumer audio brands to build connected audio devices, such as WiFi speakers and soundbars, quickly and easily. Reliance on in-house engineering teams is reduced and speed to market is improved. The inclusion of Cast-for-Audio in the company’s next-gen solutions is a significant addition to its product portfolio.

The market for WiFi connected audio devices is expected to grow nearly threefold in the next three years, from 14m units in 2014 to 40m in 2017. From 2016 onwards, a growing number of consumer audio brands will include Cast-for-Audio in their devices. This agreement will enable Frontier Silicon to address this market directly.

Anthony Sethill, CEO, Toumaz Group, said: “Our co-development agreement with Google will provide a major boost to our connected audio business in 2016 and beyond. In recent months, we have benefited from strong market growth and achieved a number of important design wins for our existing connected audio platform, driving 60% growth in year to date sales. With the addition of Cast-for-Audio, we expect to drive this growth further.”