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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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12-26-2013, 11:49 PM | #166 | |
Deus ambulans inter homines
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Quote:
Just saw Google glass has a newer app / development function that seems pretty awesome. Collision alert- it senses your motion and other objects in the world and can quickly alert you on screen and with an audible alarm if a crash is likely imminent- apparently even if you are looking elsewhere and they are perfecting it so if your head is turned it will still scan in the direction of your forward movement - say if your head is turned it would be still focused on your forward travel- seems like being able to pair it with a dashcam or reverse cams or your cars sensors could really make it a truly unique and beneficial use of Glass - and no I don't have one, but it's a great illustration of thinking outside the box- which chromecast should also start seeing once access is unleashed.
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12-27-2013, 12:00 AM | #167 |
Mahomes Dynasty
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i have a roku and i love it.
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12-27-2013, 10:00 AM | #168 |
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Do you have a smart TV. If so you should be able to stream from phone via dlna. I do this all the time.
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01-31-2014, 08:38 PM | #169 |
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I got one for Xmas. It's a nice gift and it's easy to see the potential but man does it need better support. It has HBO Go support but I tried to fire up Max Go earlier and it doesn't seem it's an option. That's despite the fact that it's relatively the same company and seemingly the same app. Frustrating
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02-01-2014, 11:24 AM | #170 |
Deus ambulans inter homines
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This has pretty much owned my tv for the last 6 months. The channel options are continually expanding, and if you look around on the net, there's quite a few good private channels you can add to round out your viewing options.
I expect Chromecast is still a year out from once developers have had a chance to play with it and really develop 3rd party options for it. Wouldn't surprise me if they've got a more robust hardware update for it like around this time next year? So far, this and glass are just muddling in their infancy stage.
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02-03-2014, 01:32 PM | #171 |
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02-03-2014, 01:32 PM | #172 | |
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Quote:
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02-03-2014, 01:43 PM | #173 |
Take a Chill Pill
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Does Chromecast support slingbox? If like to stream the cable in my living room to my bedroom or my roommates bedroom.
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02-03-2014, 02:02 PM | #174 |
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HOORAY! bring on the apps with integrated support~
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02-03-2014, 02:44 PM | #175 | |
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The hope is that many companies will be able to quickly jump on board now that the SDK is finalized, so there's a decent chance that Slingbox will add support soon. Time will tell. |
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02-03-2014, 03:07 PM | #176 |
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I love this thing. It makes watching youtube on my TV much easier. Totally worth the $35.
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02-03-2014, 05:22 PM | #177 |
Deus ambulans inter homines
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Not right now, Roku does now as Of November.
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02-04-2014, 06:27 PM | #178 |
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besides netflix what's everyone's favorites for chromecast? Hulu, etc. What's got the best movie selection?
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02-20-2014, 10:56 PM | #179 |
Agree to Disagree
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My chromecast just refuses to stay connected to my router. My wife has given up, as it seems the few times she's tried to use it, it doesn't work. Very frustrating.
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02-20-2014, 11:14 PM | #180 |
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This is probably the reason I recommend AppleTV to most families instead of XBMC and other boxes. The damned thing just works with zero troubleshooting. There is nothing worse than trying to troubleshoot what, to me, is a simple tech issue over the phone to my wife who is panicking because my "stupid ****ing cheapass illegal ripoff cable replacement" won't work. My wife would rather sit there and watch the limited offerings of Netflix flawlessly than be able to watch whatever she wants but troubleshoot it. My solution was to run netflix on the Wii for her when I'm not around then I deal with xbmc/1channel when I'm home.
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