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07-24-2013, 12:16 PM | |
Damn it feels good.
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Google introduces Chromecast - 35 bucks?!?
This looks like it will really test Roku/Apple TV. For that price point, I'm not sure how it couldn't. From what I'm hearing, you can stream anything from your desktop to the connected device, but not from mobile. Only supported apps from mobile will stream. More to come, I'm sure.
http://cnet.co/1c2ZBTm Google's taking yet another stab at the living room. Today Google introduced Chromecast, a stick-like device that connects to one of your TV's HDMI inputs and accepts video pushed from smartphones, tablets and the Chrome browser. It's available for just $35 starting today from the Google Play store in the US, with availability in other countries to follow. The compact 2-inch device will work with Netflix, YouTube, Google Play Movies and TV, and Google Play Music at launch, with support for future services, including Pandora, coming soon. It's a cross-platform device, with support for both Android and iOS devices, as well as the Chrome browser on both Windows and Mac computers. More details are currently available on the Google's Chrome blog. Chromecast's approach is different than most devices on the market: it's half-remote, half-streaming media box. The idea is instead of designing a TV-optimized user interface, you'll be able to select and control content from your smartphone or tablet. Browse the Netflix app, find your content, then tell it to play in your living room. Chromecast even goes one step further, by automatically switching your TV to the correct input and giving you the ability to adjust the volume using your mobile devices built-in volume controls. The ability for Android devices to pause content without unlocking the phone first seemed particularly well-implemented. You'll also be able to juggle control between multiple mobile devices, with Chromecast syncing between connected devices. You can start playing Netflix from your tablet, then later use a smartphone to fast-forward. Using the YouTube app, you can also create a shared queue of content, stringing together several short web videos for an extended viewing session. All-in-all, Google's demos looked particularly slick. As sleek as the Chromecast device looks, Google's initial presentation skimmed over some of the rougher edges. The specs in the Google Play store list both a USB power cable and a power adapter, which indicate that the Chromecast will have some wires hanging off it -- it's not truly "just a stick". It's the same method PLAiR used to power its similar HDMI-based streaming stick. The hardware itself supports 2.4 GHz WiFi 802.11, which isn't quite as nice as the dual-band Wi-Fi offered on Roku's Streaming Stick. The internal processor is capable of playing back full 1080p video with 5.1 surround sound. I haven't had any hands-on time with the Chromecast yet, but from the initial announcement, the biggest limitation appears to be app support. Supporting only four services out-of-the-gate puts Chromecast well behind established players like Roku and Apple TV, and limited functionality was also one of the major knocks against the ill-fated Nexus Q. However, the big difference with Chromecast ultralow $35 price. It's a lot easier to accept those limitations when you haven't paid much upfront and the low price should also help spread adoption, which should encourage services to include Chromecast at a faster rate. This is a developing story so stay tuned for further details as we get them. |
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12-11-2013, 09:00 PM | #151 |
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12-11-2013, 09:07 PM | #152 |
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A friend of mine mentioned that. I'll be curious to see how that all shakes out. On the one hand, Amazon has to want to get their video service on more devices. On the other hand, they want to keep people on their own flavor of Android, so cooperating with a Google device might not be the way they want to go. Time will tell.
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12-11-2013, 09:15 PM | #153 | |
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12-11-2013, 09:22 PM | #154 |
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i'm pretty sure it works - I think its just a glitch
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12-11-2013, 09:27 PM | #155 |
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to be fair this is Plex's decision not Google's
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12-13-2013, 05:45 PM | #156 |
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Really long, in-depth article about Google's strategy with the Chromecast if anyone's interested
http://gigaom.com/2013/12/13/chromec...n-new-devices/ |
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12-13-2013, 05:45 PM | #157 | |
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VARSITY
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12-13-2013, 06:03 PM | #158 |
BAMF!
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No. That is there 2017 plan. To begin manufacturing automated wifi rifles and with smartBulletŪ technology.
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12-13-2013, 06:07 PM | #159 |
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I expect to see a TV brand start selling sets with the Chromecast hardwired in. That seems like a logical jump as they phase out GoogleTV.
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12-13-2013, 06:08 PM | #160 |
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12-26-2013, 10:02 AM | #161 |
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Got one for Christmas, so I can now get outside the realm of outside observer.
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12-26-2013, 02:53 PM | #162 |
Damn it feels good.
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This makes me . You haven't been using one this entire time? Who woulda known.
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12-26-2013, 03:04 PM | #163 | |
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I'm mostly excited that vendors who don't often show up in apps on those other systems will be able to jump on board with this easily once Google finally gets off their asses and finalizes the SDK. |
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12-26-2013, 04:47 PM | #164 |
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I have what I feel like is a safe way to download torrents to my phone. I wish they'd let you stream saved content from your phone.
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12-26-2013, 04:59 PM | #165 |
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