Google has given Chromecast a long-awaited refresh, and added a new audio-centric device to the dongle range, according to Digital Spy.

The second-generation Chromecast sports a circular, button-like design that makes it easier to transport, ditching the stick form factor of its predecessor.

Coming in lemon, coral and black colour options, the device supports faster WiFi standards and includes a built-in "adaptive antenna system", which should result in higher video resolution and lower buffering, or so Google says.

The web giant also confirmed that new apps are on the way to Chromecast, including Spotify, Google Photos and BBC iPlayer Radio.

There are new games in the pipeline as well, with Android titles Angry Birds Go, WGT Golf and Driver Speedboat Paradise on their way to your TV.

The device faces steep competition from Amazon's new Fire TV Stick as well as the Apple TV revamp, although it will serve as a cheaper alternative to the latter.

The Chromecast will be priced at £30 in the UK and is available to purchase from Google's hardware store today (September 29).

Google has also overhauled the Chromecast app for iOS and Android devices with a streamlined layout and improved menu system to coincide with the new device.

The second-gen Chromecast was announced alongside a brand-new product - Chromecast Audio, which hooks up to any standard speaker via a 3.5mm jack, RCA or optical input, and lets users cast their music over WiFi.

It essentially does for speakers what Chromecast does for TVs, turning any audio hardware into Sonos-like smart hardware that streams tunes from iOS, Android, Windows or Mac. It also carries a wallet-friendly £30 price tag.

Supported apps include Spotify, Google Play Music, Deezer and BBC iPlayer Radio. Music is streamed directly from these applications.

Google announced the new Chromecasts alongside its latest smartphones, the Nexus 6P and the Nexus 65X, made by Huawei and LG.