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All previous 'smart displays' with Google Assistant are nearly identical under the hood. They all run Android Things OS (a specialized version of Android for IoT devices) on top of a standardized hardware platform (like those from MediaTek and Qualcomm). Most people assumed that Google's own smart display, the recently-announced Home Hub, would use the same software and hardware. However, the Home Hub is something entirely different.

Diya Jolly, Google‘s VP of product management, told Ars Technica that the Home Hub uses software based on the Google Cast platform — not Android Things OS.

Google skips Android Things OS for the Home Hub, uses Chromecast-based software instead was written by the awesome team at Android Police.

If you're looking to deck your house out in connected devices, Google has you covered. The 'Smart TV kit' with a Home Mini and Chromecast leaked last week, and now it appears that's just one of several bundles that Google now sells on its website.

As you might expect, each bundle is less expensive than buying the products separately. Here's everything that is currently listed on the Google Store:

• Home Hub, Nest Hello and Nest x Yale Lock  - $557 ($100 off)
• Home Hub and Chromecast Ultra - $193 ($25 off)
• Home Mini and GE C-Life Smart Bulb - $55 (not available yet)
• Home Mini 2-Pack - $78 ($20 off)
• Home Mini 3-Pack - $144 ($33 off)
• Home Mini and Chromecast - $74 ($10 off)
• Home Mini and Google Wi-Fi 3-Pack - $299 ($49 off)
• Home Mini and Nest Thermostat E - $198 ($20 off)
• Home Hub and Nest Hello Doorbell - $328 ($50 off)
• Home Hub and Nest Cam Indoor - $149 ($50 off)
• Home Hub and Nest Thermostat - $348 ($50 off)

That's a lot of bundles.

Google now offers smart home product bundles at a discount was written by the awesome team at Android Police.

Like much of Google's 2018 hardware, the arrival of a refreshed Chromecast was an open secret ahead of October 9th. The full details were hazy, though, leaving Chromecast fans with a little room for excitement. Unfortunately, the full reveal was less intriguing than the already minimal update most were expecting. 

Though the Chromecast hasn't been refreshed in three years, Google failed to mention the new hardware during its event. Now that the company has quietly added the device to its store, it's clear not much has changed.

Google reveals minor third-generation Chromecast update with multi-room audio support was written by the awesome team at Android Police.

Google is expected to announce a refreshed Chromecast at its hardware event in New York today, but it seems a UK retailer got its timing a little off. Very, online purveyor of clothes, furniture, and electronics, is already selling the new model.

This is a little different from Best Buy, which let a few third-generation Chromecasts out the door prematurely earlier this month. Very's listing is fully functional, complete with the option to add the device to your basket. Aside from a few photos, though, the seller doesn't reveal any new information; all the product details in the listing for this new model are the same as the last one, right down to the price: £29.99.

The new Chromecast is already up for sale at a UK retailer was written by the awesome team at Android Police.

Google's upcoming Pixel event today has been spoiled nearly from A to Z, but there's a bit of a difference between leaks coming from outside sources and small missteps inside the company that officially confirm unannounced devices. That's the case with this new promo on the Play Store, mentioning the yet-unofficial Google Home Hub.

The Home Hub, Google's own take on Assistant Smart Displays, has been leaked several times already. We know what it will look like, we also know it won't have a camera (unlike the JBL Link View and Lenovo Smart Display) and that it will likely cost $149.

Google confirms the Home Hub prematurely, posts $25 off promo when buying it with a Chromecast Ultra was written by the awesome team at Android Police.

Google's yearly hardware event is nearly upon us. In this day and age, there are always bits of information leaked ahead of official announcements, but this event is completely different. Google has been as leaky as the Titanic over the past few months, so there's a good chance there aren't any surprises left.

If you've been living under a rock this whole time, or you haven't been able to keep track of all the leaks, we've summarized everything we know about the products Google will (probably) announce tomorrow.

What to expect from Google's launch event tomorrow was written by the awesome team at Android Police.

• Update 1: 2018/09/30 10:28am PDT
  9to5Google has posted more pictures of the device, including an image of the back where the full FCC ID is visible. The identification matches the device that passed through
• Update 2: 2018/10/02 4:24am PDT
  The second generation Chromecast is now unavailable on the Google Store, with its 'Buy' button changed to 'Coming soon.' This is unsurprising given the imminent announcement of the third

Best Buy has a tendency of stocking products well before they are released, and it seems that has happened again.

[Update: 'Coming soon' on Google Store] Best Buy is already stocking the unannounced third-generation Chromecast was written by the awesome team at Android Police.

Over the past year, Google has been adding more Assistant functionality to the Chromecast. You can ask your Google Home to play a movie on your TV or see who's at the door, and the result appears on your TV. Google has already been selling the Chromecast and Home Mini in a bundle, but now the package is being renamed to the 'Smart TV Kit.'

The below image was posted to the Google Pixel subreddit by user LitheBeep, with the caption "Just got these bad boys in at work today." The packaging is similar to the existing bundle, but it has the unreleased third-generation Chromecast instead of the current model.

Google 'Smart TV Kit' with Home Mini and next-gen Chromecast gets leaked was written by the awesome team at Android Police.

Best Buy has a tendency of stocking products well before they are released, and it seems that has happened again. Last month, an updated Chromecast with Bluetooth and (possibly) improved Wi-Fi reception was certified by the FCC. Now someone was actually able to buy one from their local Best Buy.

"I went to Best Buy earlier to pick up a Chromecast for my new TV, then I noticed the packaging and design was different from my first one," Reddit user GroveStreetHomie wrote.

Best Buy is already stocking the unannounced third-generation Chromecast was written by the awesome team at Android Police.

Google Podcasts received a fair amount of criticism at launch for a variety of valid reasons, but the biggest issues stemmed from a lack of support across Google's ecosystem. The app, somewhat absurdly, launched without proper Android Auto or Cast support — and offered little else to recommend it, including no option for creating podcast playlists. Now, after addressing the Android Auto issue, the app is beginning to roll out support for Cast.

Google Podcasts finally starts rolling out Cast support was written by the awesome team at Android Police.