Case Study: Google brings Chromecast to market in four weeks with Flex

Google Chromecast™ goes from idea to prototype in four weeks with Flex

Google, seeking to enter the streaming media market, needed a partner to rapidly develop a disruptive and competitively priced device. Their challenge was to take the Chromecast from a basic idea to a finished product, overcoming significant design hurdles related to size, cost, wireless functionality, and heat dispersion. They partnered with Flex for its global design, engineering, and manufacturing expertise.

The solution from Flex involved designing an innovative octagonal printed circuit board that effectively managed heat and a unique antenna to ensure a strong signal. This collaboration resulted in a working prototype being created in just four weeks. As a result, Google was able to launch the Chromecast ahead of competitors at a highly accessible price point of $35. Flex manufactured 7 million units in the first four months, enabling Google's successful and rapid market entry.

Google