Live data from Hacker News

Chromecast now open to developers with the Google Cast SDK

googledevelopers.blogspot.com

81–90 of 257 posts

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

#81
post #10

The sdk looks nice, but there's certain requirements, like putting the chromecast icon on EVERY screen off the app that is a little bit of a turnoff.

As someone who uses a Chromecast, always having the cast icon is a big plus. Yeah, it takes up real estate. But having to go digging in options to start the cast would defeat the one-click simplicity.

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

#83
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?

i use plex and netflix extensively and i use more youtube than i thought.

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

#84

If Chromecast supported Amazon Video, I'd probably use it more than my HTPC.

You can tab cast Amazon Instant Video from Chrome. I've been successfully using it for months.

The downside, though, is that the video is still playing on the laptop simultaneously.

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

#87
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?

If you stream sports, chromecast is a godsend if you don't want to hook up your computer to the TV.

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

#88
post #61

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…

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…

I have three Roku-powered rooms in my house. I read about Chromecast's capabilities but I cannot find how it would serve me better than Roku. My needs are:

* Stream Netflix/Hulu/Amazon/HBO Go to the TV.

* Stream videos off my NAS, such as DVD rips, home movies, etc. (For this I use Plex.)

* Occasionally, stream movies and pictures I took with my phone to the TV.

* Very occasionally, stream live events, such as the New Years ball drop, or the World Cup.

* Have an interface that is easy enough to use by non-technical people.

Chromecast, at least on paper, seems to do these things markedly worse. I appreciate it's simplicity and I'd probably get one to play around with if I did not have the Roku players already, but so far, it seems like the shabbier streamer. A Roku 2 or a refurb Roku 3 is about twice the price of Chromecast, yet seems to deliver much more value and much less headache. So my question is the same as above: why use Chromecast at all?

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

#90
post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

You can disable the dialer and lock screen (or use a lock screen replacement from the Play Store).
Post reply on HN