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Chromecast with Google TV

store.google.com

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Re: Chromecast with Google TV

#31

Post by scarface74 »

gondo wrote: post #9
actuator wrote: post #4

The integration with Google search and Nest devices looks so awesome. An easy to access platform independent watchlist is quite convenient. I am surprised that they gave a button to Netflix as well on the remote. Though it does make sense considering YT and Netflix is what I use mostly on even Fire TV when not watching sports.

Partnering with Netflix is most likely to compete with Apple and Amazon. Enemy of my enemy is my friend.

How is Netflix an “enemy” of Apple? Apple has made sure Netflix runs well on all of their devices since the first iPad.

Re: Chromecast with Google TV

#32

Post by scarface74 »

animationwill wrote: post #18
dubcanada wrote: post #10

It seems to have multiple streaming services (I see The Boys from Prime, stuff from Disney, stuff from Netflix, etc) is that correct? Or do you need to go into Crave/Prime/Netflix to see the respective shows?

Not sure about this but I’ll mention The FireTV stick will show you shows from multiple services without entering those apps. And any given show/movie has a “more ways to watch” Option to show where else it’s available (such as when a specific app has it for free). I can also watch HBO shows directly in the firetv’s native viewer without entering the HBO “app”

The AppleTV also has these features.

Re: Chromecast with Google TV

#33

Post by ValentineC »

AnssiH wrote: post #22

Here is a link to the US store that works globally: https://store.google.com/us/product/chromecast_google_tv The current article link ( https://store.google.com/product/chromecast_google_tv ) just goes to Google Store homepage for me (Finland).

Thanks, this was helpful for me accessing the Google Store from outside the US as well.

@dang, could we please change the thread link to the one above?

Re: Chromecast with Google TV

#36

Post by josteink »

animationwill wrote: post #21

Don’t forget Google already abandoned Google TV once: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_TV I bought it as a gift for someone once and they cancelled it and deleted the SDK.

Maybe this will be a product which Google cancels twice then.

Would that be a first?

Re: Chromecast with Google TV

#37

Post by throwaways885 »

basch wrote: post #20
throwaways885 wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Google TV is software which runs on Android TV devices made by Google. It's not a replacement of Android TV. It's akin to Windows Media Center running on Windows XP.

Google TV was a predecessor to Android TV. Source I have one of each in the house, but also the wiki article in the post you replied to. Google TV may have run on top of Android, but it was its own Shell. The OS was still useful until a youtube update killed youtube on it. The TV came with a full keyboard on the remote. The new Google TV is more akin to iPad OS and iOS splitting, where the TV and Phone variant can ha…

Yes I know. My point was that Android TV is already an operating system in itself (which already has it's own TV features), and Google TV is a rebranding of the software running upon that OS. Namely, the new home screen app.

Re: Chromecast with Google TV

#38

Post by spike021 »

shajznnckfke wrote: post #12

IMO, Apple TV has been one of the strengths of the iOS ecosystem over Android. Chromecast has a lot of good integrations, but the dongle’s lack of a standalone UI with independent controls made it awkward for communal living room use. Looks like this could be a strong competitor and the price greatly undercuts Apple. I’m excited to try it out.

I've had an Apple TV for about 2 years. Last year I bought a Chromecast (against my better judgement) for my parents because their "smart" TV apps are awful. I would've bought them an Apple TV but they didn't want me spending that much on them, unfortunately.

But long story short, like you're saying the Apple TV's UX is on another level from the (previous) Chromecast since it lacks its own UI and controls. It's definitely one of the painpoints that I've noticed my parents having difficulty with.

Whereas Apple TV has an easy to use UI (other than individual streaming apps sometimes making their own media player UI, like Disney+ and Amazon Prime, which are awful).

Re: Chromecast with Google TV

#39

Post by tfsh »

scarface74 wrote: post #31
gondo wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Partnering with Netflix is most likely to compete with Apple and Amazon. Enemy of my enemy is my friend.

How is Netflix an “enemy” of Apple? Apple has made sure Netflix runs well on all of their devices since the first iPad.

If not an "enemy", a competitor. Apple has Apple TV, Google has YouTube Originals of course but I see Google partnering with Netflix much more than I see Apple doing so

Re: Chromecast with Google TV

#40

Post by basch »

throwaways885 wrote: post #37
basch wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Google TV was a predecessor to Android TV. Source I have one of each in the house, but also the wiki article in the post you replied to. Google TV may have run on top of Android, but it was its own Shell. The OS was still useful until a youtube update killed youtube on it. The TV came with a full keyboard on the remote. The new Google TV is more akin to iPad OS and iOS splitting, where the TV and Phone variant can ha…

Yes I know. My point was that Android TV is already an operating system in itself (which already has it's own TV features), and Google TV is a rebranding of the software running upon that OS. Namely, the new home screen app.

Is that the case? Or is Google TV an app that you click from the Android TV home screen? I thought in this context Google TV is more akin to Prime Video or The Roku Channel. Can you escape the Google TV app and get back to the old Android TV launcher? Can you install the new Google TV app as an app on older Android TV, or is it an OS upgrade?

Maybe the line is so blurred between shell/launcher and app now that its a distinction without merit. They can just keep nesting shells inside apps recursively, ad infinitum.

I have the Google TV app on my phone already (the Movies & TV app auto updated.)

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