A new Google dongle might be just around the corner, but Lenovo is looking to sway would-be Chromecast customers with a streaming device of its own.
The Chinese company announced its aptly named Lenovo Cast on Thursday at a press event in Beijing. The hockey puck-shaped dongle will retail for $49, about $14 more than Google's stick.
The gadget works in much the same way: Just connect it to your TV via HDMI and it syncs up with Wi-Fi to mirror your devices, allowing users to watch what's on your computer or tablet on the bigger screen.
TV streaming devices are nothing new. Joining Google and its popular Chromecast dongle are the Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Roku's Streaming Stick. So what sets Lenovo's version apart from the pack? The company is using dual-band Wi-Fi and promises a wider signal range and faster streaming. The signal is even supposed to work through two walls, according to Lenovo.
Lenovo's dongle also uses DNLA and Miracast, both widely used streaming standards to ensure compatibility with a range of devices. It supports devices running Android 4.3 and above, as well as iOS and Windows devices.
The Lenovo Cast is set to launch worldwide in August.