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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

#71
post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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…

Your friends with Android phones can't cast to Airplay, but they can cast to Chromecast.

Cast what though, beyond YouTube and Netflix?

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

#72
post #45

Anyone know if the API is powerful enough to let you build an app that can project video and have it play synced audio via headphones connected to the controlling device? Being able to listen to the audio via remote headphones is a killer feature of the Roku 3 IMHO and I would love it if I could do this via my chromecast as well. (Yes, I am aware that the Chromecast typically plays buffered video from the video sourc…

I haven't looked into the API in-depth, but I can imagine some (fairly hackish) ways to accomplish this that wouldn't require much support from the native API. I hope someone does it.

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

#73
post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Not free for iPhone though?

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

#74
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…

Cheapest iPod touch (229$) is more expensive than a MotoG.

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

#76
post #71
post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Your friends with Android phones can't cast to Airplay, but they can cast to Chromecast.

Cast what though, beyond YouTube and Netflix?

Play Music & Movies, Pandora, Hulu, Chrome tabs, HBO Go, Plex...

See http://chromecast.com/apps for the current list.

I really only use Google Play, Netflix, YouTube and tab casting though.

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

#77
post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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…

Your friends with Android phones can't cast to Airplay, but they can cast to Chromecast.

By "cast," you mean "tell the Chromecast to fetch/display content", rather than "show streaming video of my device's screen"?

This is part of what I'm asking: I don't get the usage model. I prefer using the STB directly with a remote (and no other client device), or pushing the client device's screen to the STB. If you're saying that you use "tabcasting" (which I guess is remotely-directed Chromecast web surfing), then fine. It's not something I'd ever use, but I understand that the equivalent doesn't exist on other STBs.

Please don't get me wrong: I would prefer if there were an open AirPlay equivalent that Android and iOS devices supported at the OS level. But I don't think that's what you're talking about.

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

#78
post #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.

Unfortunately the Moto G still a phone. It can still make emergency (911) calls without a SIM card. There's no way to disable that functionality, even in the various Android distros.

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

#79
post #71
post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Your friends with Android phones can't cast to Airplay, but they can cast to Chromecast.

Cast what though, beyond YouTube and Netflix?

HBO Go and Plex are two apps I am using very frequently with my Chromecast... That gets me both external and locally stored content without a dedicated HTPC to play the media.

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

#80
post #71
post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Your friends with Android phones can't cast to Airplay, but they can cast to Chromecast.

Cast what though, beyond YouTube and Netflix?

With the opening of the SDK, presumably anything - even so far in the comments on this HN posting there are already few individuals who are happy their local media streaming servers can be published, and it wouldn't be too hard to imagine that VLC plugins or something similar are too far behind.
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