It appears that Google will launch its Chromecast to markets outside the U.S. this week as various indicators hint that the streaming stick will soon be available in the U.K., Germany, France and possibly other countries.
Google's Chromecast is currently available only in the U.S but company executives have stated earlier that they want to bring the device to more markets this year and with various leaks suggesting that UK retailers already have stocks of the popular dongle, the Chromecast may invade Europe as early as this week.
A leaked email from Dixons, one of the largest consumer electronics retailers in Europe, revealed it already has stocks of the device and will launch it by 9AM on March 19.
"Next Wednesday 19 March sees the official launch of one of the biggest products this year from Google. To ensure all stores have stock in time for Wednesday, some stores will start receiving stock from today (Friday 14 March)," the memo read. "The product MUST NOT be sold until 9am Wednesday 19 March."
Interestingly, the memo also warned the staff not to discuss anything about the product to anyone not employed by Dixons Retail.
"The product is protected under a non-disclosure agreement with Google, which means we are obliged not to discuss anything regarding the product with any people or persons who are not employed by Dixons Retail," the memo stated. "This includes any mention/photos of the product on social media platforms or other internet forums."
An employee of Currys, an electronics retailer in the U.K., also posted a photo of a stack of Chromecast boxes on Twitter although it has already been removed. In France, a Google+ user shared a photo of Chromecast boxes with French labeling and said that the device will be available from French ISP SFR starting March 19.
Amazon Germany has likewise made the dongle available for pre-order several days ago but the posting was apparently a mistake because it was taken down. A Google cache of the removed listing, however, showed that the device will cost $35 in Germany. Chromecast won't be available exclusively on Amazon though. As Stadt-Bremerhaven reported, the device will also be available in Germany through other local electronic retailers such as Media Markt and Saturn and that they will start to sell the streaming stick by March 17.
Google has also updated the Chromecast Android app, which is used for setting up the device, and the update includes support for more than 50 languages.
