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Chromecast now open to developers with the Google Cast SDK

googledevelopers.blogspot.com

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Re: Chromecast now open to developers with the Google Cast SDK

#61

I love my Chromecast and use it extensively. This is what Miracast should have been, something that "just worked" and seamlessly interconnected devices. But instead Miracast is yet another classic example of "death of committee" where tons of big media and hardware companies wanted to get their features and DRM in, and as a direct result we now have dozens of completely incompatible Miracast devices. I think this tab…

Out of curiosity, what have you been using your Chromecast for? I have drunk the Apple Kool-Aid: I have iOS devices, AppleTVs, and a home server running iTunes. Admittedly, the iTunes server is serving video and music that is ripped from legitimately-acquired spinning-discs, so perhaps I haven't tasted the iTunes Store Kool-Aid. I purchased a Chromecast right at launch. As far as I could tell, the only things it did…

Yes, the fact that Apple TV doesn't work with non-Apple devices makes it a non-starter among those who don't exclusively buy Apple products in perpetuity.

So the question is Chromecast vs. other cross-platform TV solutions, like Roku. Roku does have it's own device-streaming but it only works with media on your device. I own both and use both, but lean towards the Roku more often as using the phone/tablet as a remote isn't significantly better than just using a remote, and I don't have to worry about what happens when the phone dies, or if I have it on a charger having to get up and walk to it when I need to pause the program.

Re: Chromecast now open to developers with the Google Cast SDK

#62

I love my Chromecast and use it extensively. This is what Miracast should have been, something that "just worked" and seamlessly interconnected devices. But instead Miracast is yet another classic example of "death of committee" where tons of big media and hardware companies wanted to get their features and DRM in, and as a direct result we now have dozens of completely incompatible Miracast devices. I think this tab…

Out of curiosity, what have you been using your Chromecast for? I have drunk the Apple Kool-Aid: I have iOS devices, AppleTVs, and a home server running iTunes. Admittedly, the iTunes server is serving video and music that is ripped from legitimately-acquired spinning-discs, so perhaps I haven't tasted the iTunes Store Kool-Aid. I purchased a Chromecast right at launch. As far as I could tell, the only things it did…

My usage falls into three categories:

- Netflix (a lot) - Tab Casting (occasionally) - Youtube (very seldom)

I suspect that AppleTV would work better for everything except for the tab casting for me. Even with the current limitations, I don't know of another settop box that does that as effectively as the Chromecast.

Having said that, I have still been mostly disappointed with the device so far, as tab-casting has been basically the only free solution to local streaming so far. I am optimistic that this will change soon if the SDK is really open, though.

Re: Chromecast now open to developers with the Google Cast SDK

#63
post #48
post #43

Chromecast is missing one thing, imho: a controller for my kids. I'm not giving my kids the Nexus 7 every time they want to watch something on the TV screen. The Chromecast suddenly goes from a $35 to a $235 device. Instead I have a uHost android-stick that uses an accelerometer-based airmouse... it's not good, but it works and cost me $50. I keep waiting for Google to complete the Nexus line with a bare-bones 4" low…

How about use an older Android phone with the sim pulled?

Phones without SIMs can still call 911...

Re: Chromecast now open to developers with the Google Cast SDK

#64
post #43

Chromecast is missing one thing, imho: a controller for my kids. I'm not giving my kids the Nexus 7 every time they want to watch something on the TV screen. The Chromecast suddenly goes from a $35 to a $235 device. Instead I have a uHost android-stick that uses an accelerometer-based airmouse... it's not good, but it works and cost me $50. I keep waiting for Google to complete the Nexus line with a bare-bones 4" low…

Sounds like there may be a market opportunity for a simple chromecast remote...

Personally, I'd just like to have a way to use my Logitech Harmony Remote with Chromecast.

Re: Chromecast now open to developers with the Google Cast SDK

#65
Oh man, here comes CrunchyRoll and all the other anime streaming websites. Netflix's & Amazon's anime collection is about to be put to shame. Also, I'd really like it if the developers behind KeyholeTV[1] would get on board. Maybe I should write it...

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KeyHoleTV

Re: Chromecast now open to developers with the Google Cast SDK

#66
post #52
post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Plex, however, is on Chromecast.

I'm a big fan of both the Chromecast and Plex. However, if you browse the Plex store reviews there are a ton of people complaining about needing the Plex Pass to stream to Chromecast. Part of me wants to be mad that they're "double dipping" charging $5 for the app and then the Plex Pass on top of it. The other feels guilty that they're already providing a fantastic desktop media server for free, and I feel like a gre…

For what it's worth, the app is free if you are a PlexPass subscriber.

Re: Chromecast now open to developers with the Google Cast SDK

#67
post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I believe that's intentional. They have a kindle fire app.

Intentional, but a pretty short-sited plan in my mind. Makes Amazon Video useless to me.

Especially as they do have an iOS app. Not making an Android one because you have a competing tablet that happens to share the same underlying OS is a weird strategy.

Re: Chromecast now open to developers with the Google Cast SDK

#68
post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Perfect. That's the same number of people that have google glass.

Perfect. That's the same number of people that come to my parties.

Having a Me Party? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpE8CdH6fdE

Re: Chromecast now open to developers with the Google Cast SDK

#69
post #43

Chromecast is missing one thing, imho: a controller for my kids. I'm not giving my kids the Nexus 7 every time they want to watch something on the TV screen. The Chromecast suddenly goes from a $35 to a $235 device. Instead I have a uHost android-stick that uses an accelerometer-based airmouse... it's not good, but it works and cost me $50. I keep waiting for Google to complete the Nexus line with a bare-bones 4" low…

FWIW, the Moto G comes pretty close to this. A lot of the cheap Android tablets do as well.

Re: Chromecast now open to developers with the Google Cast SDK

#70
I'm still not seeing docs on how to send content to Chromecast without using the Android, IOS, or Chrome APIs for doing so. Pointers? How would I build a commandline app to send content to Chromecast, for example?

(see the list under Components: https://developers.google.com/cast/docs/developers)

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