Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Chromecast now open to developers with the Google Cast SDK

googledevelopers.blogspot.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

101–110 of 257 posts

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

#101

Post by 67726e »

IgorPartola wrote: post #88
Touche wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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 Ne…

I've got three Roku boxes in my house as well and I have to agree with all of your points. I got a Chromecast as a gift at Christmas and played with it but I really just don't see it as being better than the Roku with the exception of two fronts:

1. Price. It's just cheaper. About 40% the price of the latest Roku.

2. Development. Maybe this is a personal one for me. I keep wanting to work on a Roku Channel (app) but I really don't want to take the time to figure out their proprietary language.

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

#102

Post by jggonz »

isomorphic wrote: post #47
UnoriginalGuy wrote: post #6

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…

This is what I do with my Chromcasts:

1. Stream Netflix movies for myself and my child. My son can control Netflix easily with my Nexus 4 smart phone once I get the Chomcast connected.

2. Stream music from Google Play music. I pay $7.99 per month and can use my phone in my living room chromecast, my bedroom chromecast and my bluetooth enabled radios in the cars. Everywhere I go, my music can come with me.

3. I use it to cast Chrome tabs from my Macbook whenever I want to share pictures with families or show something interesting I've been working on to friends.

4. Whenever Netflix doesn't have a movie, I can sometimes find something on Google Play Movie.

I also own a Roku mainly because I find Amazon's movie selection to be vastly superior to what Netflix has to offer. I can usually find anything I want to watch on Amazon vs Netflix and Google Play Movies.

One feature I need/want from the Chromecast is the ability to view my phone's screen just like Miracast. I'm assuming they're still working on improving the reliability.

In order to properly stream content to the Chromecast, I had to upgrade my router to something that supported HD video streaming.

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

#103

Post by wahsd »

isomorphic wrote: post #47
UnoriginalGuy wrote: post #6

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…

I played with Chromecast for about a couple weeks and just yesterday remembered I had totally forgotten about it. It's a typical Google product, released just after leaving Alpha state, marginally decent, of limited and disjointed utility, and generally poorly executed. Judging based on Google's history with, literally every single thing they have done, we are approaching peak internal support and attention with declining marginal focus and development. I expect Chromecast to languish and atrophy within this year.

...

"Hey, anyone want to watch a movie together? ... Ok, you guys just sit there in silent and awkward anticipation while you look at me flipping through various apps on my personal device." Google —— Please, someone explain what this "social" thing means

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

#105

Post by mimiflynn »

McGlockenshire wrote: post #78
_ea1k wrote: 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 could see 911 calls as a feature. What if you are knocked unconscious and your kid has to dial 911? the new 'remote' could be a bonus emergency phone.

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

#106

Post by jggonz »

IgorPartola wrote: post #88
Touche wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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 Ne…

I own a Roku, and find it works great when you're laying down on your bed and want to watch a movie on Amazon/Netflix. However, for entertaining, the easy access to Google Play Music and the ability to cast Chrome tabs was the reason that I chose Chromecasts everywhere, and stuck with the Roku just where I want to watch Amazon movies.

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

#108

Post by Sargos »

wahsd wrote: post #93

Now if Chromecast just didn't suck so horribly. I mean, who doesn't like blurry resolution and dropped connections.

Maybe your Chromecast has a weak WiFi connection? Try moving it a bit with an HDMI extender (one comes in the box with it).

The Chromecast can do 1080p and full quality audio. It's not a limitation of the device.

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

#109

Post by moskie »

Pxtl wrote: 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…

Also remember that the controller doesn't need to be an Android device. You could actually get an iPod Touch (perhaps a used one) for this. Or a used / refurbished first gen Nexus 7?
Post reply on HN