Google Chromecast

[EvilYoda]

Yeah, surprisingly it's something I've never picked up. And you're right, I just got back from Best Buy (wanted to check out the Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro) and the Chromecast doesn't have any way of getting through the typical hotel wifi authentication page.

Man, if I end up buying a portable router, I'll have one hell of a week for buying electronics (assuming the Nexus 5 gets announced).

 

[agent2099]

Where are the apps this has been out quite a while already. I want an android music player and VLC compatibility.

 

[Crono]

Where are the apps this has been out quite a while already. I want an android music player and VLC compatibility.

Sounds like you want Android on a stick.

Time has not increased my desire for a Chromecast, I think the ones who got in early with the Netflix deal are the lucky ones. It's still cheap hardware, but I just knew Google either wasn't going to put the resources into improving the platform, or they they wouldn't be able to strike deals with the content producers and distributors.

If they had gotten Google TV right I think I would have considered the Chromecast as a second streamer. I'm still hoping they do improve Google TV with a new generation, because overlay over TV is still the way to go, in my opinion. Combining media access in one place makes more sense to me than having to switch inputs.

 

[Shackanaw]

I flashed KitKat onto my Nexus 4, which included a full factory reset.

Without having to set anything up, all of my apps which support Chromecast already had the option to connect. It seems that it is a fully automated process, and I assume that it will automatically find any Chromecasts which are connected to any network as soon as you enter the WiFi password. That's quite a bit more convenient than sending people to the Play Store to get the app and manually connect.

As I have several family members with Nexus devices (and thus KitKat), it should be easier to show off my Chromecast to them.

 

[Silenus]

I flashed KitKat onto my Nexus 4, which included a full factory reset.

Without having to set anything up, all of my apps which support Chromecast already had the option to connect. It seems that it is a fully automated process, and I assume that it will automatically find any Chromecasts which are connected to any network as soon as you enter the WiFi password. That's quite a bit more convenient than sending people to the Play Store to get the app and manually connect.

As I have several family members with Nexus devices (and thus KitKat), it should be easier to show off my Chromecast to them.

Indeed. You only need the app for initial setup, or if you need to change setting/factory reset. Once it's running any device on your network running an app with chromecast support can simply start using it, INCLUDING iOS devices. We are all Nexus in my house, but when my mom comes over with her iPad she can simply pull up Netflix and send to my TV once she connects to my network.

 

[Crono]

Bought a Chromecast this weekend.

I've used several streaming devices so far (an LG Blu-ray player with streaming, Xbox 360, 2 Android-on-a-stick devices, 2 Rokus, Logitech Revue/Google TV, and a Media Link HD) and the Chromecast is probably the least capable in terms of apps but it has the lowest price and is the best value for just getting streaming capability on your television.

I didn't expect any more than that (been skeptical this whole time of support for apps, going by my previous Google TV experience) so I haven't been disappointed. Ultimately I want something closer to the what the Revue and full Android offers rather than just a couple apps which have Chromecast support, but hopefully Google still plans on making the next gen of Google/Android TV. The Revue would have been perfect with better hardware and more bug fixes and support from Google. Passthrough and overlay is definitely my preference (the Xbox One might be good for this, though it's too pricey for home theater ability alone).

Anything with more features than the Chromecast has been a hassle to use thus far. Only the Roku streaming players are as easy to use, though I suspect Apple TV is probably as easy to use. Having a dedicated remote versus using a smartphone has both advantages and disadvantages, ideally Google would offer a Chromecast remote and a basic interface for pulling up favorited apps. I didn't have any problems on my HTC One, but I tested an iPhone 5 with the Chromecast and had issues downloading the Chromecast app the first time I tried (kept pressing the "download" button in the App Store with no result until I restarted the phone and tried again).

It's a good purchase at $35 and I would probably recommend it for anyone looking for a relatively easy and affordable way to get Netflix, Pandora, etc on your television. If you have an HTC One or another compatible phone, though, the Media Link HD is better. Miracast that actually works well gives you a lot more capability than the Chromecast since it enables you to mirror and run ANY Android app, but obviously control is limited to a handful of devices.

 

[ponyo]

I unplugged my chromecast. It's a waste of HDMI port. It's overpriced at $35 for current capability. Google killed this device.

 

[lopri]

I unplugged my chromecast. It's a waste of HDMI port. It's overpriced at $35 for current capability. Google killed this device.

Totally agree that it's an overpriced junk. Though I've got two for the price of one thanks to Google's logistical mistakes, so I am not too pissed about it. Basically it's a glorified YouTube streamer that lets you use your phones/tablets as remotes.

And frankly I have never really understood the concept of these "streaming" boxes. Not just the Chromecast, but products like WD TV, Roku, Boxee, Google TV, Apple TV, Internet TV, Hulu, Netflix, etc., etc.,..

In the long past, HTPC meant having a box with a TV tuner for receiving OTA broadcasting and recording it.
Later on HTPC became more of a personal theater equipment, where one accumulates collection of movies or personal clips they can watch around the house, bypassing time/place limitations.

Today we have stream this, stream that, but I am completely lost about the concept of these "streaming" products. Chromecast at least has a virtue of having a clear-cut identity, I guess, as an overpriced Youtube streamer. (Google should give these away with Nexus devices) I also kind of get what Netflix is: Online Blockbuster.

But what of Google TV, Apple TV? Or Hulu? I mean, I literally do not know what they do. It's not like you can watch what you want when you want. It seems like the best you can do is watch the least uninteresting things that are available. And in the case of TV episodes, they have either only a small number of episodes (out of, say, 20) or worse a few minutes of snippets.

I wish I can read about all these "streaming" efforts and what they are trying to accomplish. I am sure there are plenty to blame on Hollywood and entertainment/cable industries. But the current products in the market just do not make sense to me.

 

[ControlD]

But what of Google TV, Apple TV? Or Hulu? I mean, I literally do not know what they do. It's not like you can watch what you want when you want. It seems like the best you can do is watch the least uninteresting things that are available. And in the case of TV episodes, they have either only a small number of episodes (out of, say, 20) or worse a few minutes of snippets.

I'm guessing you haven't used a service like Netflix of Hulu Plus to watch TV shows? They have entire seasons / entire runs of many, many TV shows available for streaming, not just a few episodes or snippets. I also get access to many shows that I can't see otherwise (BBC / European shows). I pretty much watch what I want when I want through my Roku box which also serves as a cheap and effective Plex client so I don't need a HTPC at all.

 

[tsupersonic]

I unplugged my chromecast. It's a waste of HDMI port. It's overpriced at $35 for current capability. Google killed this device.

At least it was only $35...I'm very disappointed by Google - they had so much potential with this device to expand to more services or capabilities. Looks like another beta product.

 

[bearxor]

Yeah, it's not been used by me in a while. It's kind of neat, but if they wanted to really increase functionality, they'd implement AirPlay. I'm probably going to replace it with a ATV.

Still, for $8 after the Netflix coupon, I don't really feel ripped off or anything.

 

[drbrock]

All they have to do to fix these issues is allow developers to put apps on the play store. If it is a beta product why don't they just make it completely open source and have a free for all? If it were able to stream mkvs it would be hooked up to my tv right now.

 

[Red Storm]

We use ours strictly for Netflix and I think it's been more than worth it. I love not having to worry about a remote and having the controls integrated with any mobile device at home.

All I really want is Android screen mirroring as well as the ability to play local content on the device. Not sure if we'll get the 2nd one, but I do hope the 1st comes out at some point.

 

[gorcorps]

Haven't touched mine in a while. It came in use once when a buddy and I were hanging out and he mentioned a YouTube video. I switched inputs and we watched it on the TV instead of the phone. Other than that I haven't bothered. I find myself using the Roku box for Netflix because I had early issues with the chromecast not working right.

 

[poofyhairguy]

At this point I would have preferred a $70 Chromecast that could mirror my devices.

 

[sweenish]

It works great for me.

Netflix is fine, definitely uses less power than a console. Same with Youtube; the console apps absolutely blow, but the Chromecast is seamless.

In my particular situation, the Chromecast gives me the ability to play music through the best speakers in the house.

I don't doubt that it will be a capable media client for my local library, but even if it doesn't, it's great for what it is, and dirt cheap, to boot.

It's not like you people paid out the nose for this, you can only be so dissatisfied.

 

[Crono]

All they have to do to fix these issues is allow developers to put apps on the play store. If it is a beta product why don't they just make it completely open source and have a free for all? If it were able to stream mkvs it would be hooked up to my tv right now.

They are being careful not to antagonize the big movie and television studios/companies which produce a lot of the content. The media companies are still paranoid about streaming methods being too easy to view illegally acquired videos. It's ridiculous that they still hold that view since everyone has been aware for about a decade that opening access to digital content does more to promote legitimate subscriptions and purchases.

It's the expected reaction, and it's unfortunate. The question I have is why Google proceeded with basically an alternative to their prior home theater streaming product, Google TV, if they weren't sure they could give the green light to app developers. There are a ton of apps ready to be released with Chromecast support, but Google hasn't approved any of them.

You can easily guess why Hulu got approval: they are a joint venture between a few of the television companies. Netflix was a no-brainer as well because they've made deals for all their content, which allow them to stream on pretty much any device, and they have wisely started to produce their own content. While the established corporate content producers are being stingy with their allowances, it's Netflix which is laughing it's way to the bank, with budding rivals like Amazon starting to join in.

I can understand the corporate fear of Google becoming the next Apple, but you're shooting yourself in the foot by allowing Netflix and Amazon the opportunity to own successful houses of both production and distribution with the internet fast becoming the dominant method of media consumption.

 

[s44]

All they have to do to fix these issues is allow developers to put apps on the play store.

this x1000

Google is dicking around with actual users while their long game of footsie with Big Content drags on. Right now it's a nice cloud music player...

 

[poofyhairguy]

It's not like you people paid out the nose for this, you can only be so dissatisfied.

Yes it is cheap and that is great but it could be SO MUCH MORE.

Add on top of this the fact that Miracast so far sucks, and there is this HUGE HOLE in our mobile world.

Kinda crazy that now Google and Apple have their living room products out there and only from Apple's stuff can you smoothly stream HBO Go, NFL Direct Ticket, or whatever other thing the providers don't want streamed.

 

[Renob]

was worth it cost just to stream Hulu to my garage TV

 

[Silenus]

HBO Go is now official!
http://www.engadget.com/2013/11/21/hbo-go-comes-to-chromecast/

The more the merrier i say....

 

[bearxor]

Yeah, I saw the HBO Go news this morning. Can't wait to try it out tonight. I'd love if Showtime/Starz followed the lead.

 

[poofyhairguy]

And this just became a worthwhile X-Mas gift for my sister.

 

[ghost recon88]

Anyone tried the Plair 2? Looks 100x more versatile than the Chromecast. Sounds like they may need an Android system update or two though to iron out some bugs.

 

[SAWYER]

I just saw this posted on another site



Customers and developers alike have been waiting for Google to permit the release of homebrew Chromecast apps—ones not made by its special partners, that is—and now they have a new reason to hope. The company could finally be poised to lift restrictions governing support for the TV streaming dongle.
Google has invited several developers to its Mountain View campus next month for a hackathon centered around its Chromecast device and related software developer kit (SDK). The primary focus of the event, to be held December 7-8, will be to let attendees try out the "upcoming release" of the Google Cast SDK. The previous version of the kit was "a preview" only, which meant Chromecast devs couldn't actually publish any apps that used it.
Event Details: Date: December 7-8, 2013 Location: Googleplex, Mountain View, CA