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Chromecast with Google TV

store.google.com

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Re: Chromecast with Google TV

#61

Post by smolyeet »

spike021 wrote: post #38
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 defin…

i agree. at the time i purchased an AppleTV because ChromeCast was just awful. I'd lose connection from my iPhone, browser, friends would lose connection. Streaming from Plex was terrible. I liked just being able to have a dedicated box but didn't want to get a Roku/FireStick.

I'm glad they finally introduced this but it's a bit too late for me .

Re: Chromecast with Google TV

#62

Post by derefr »

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.

Back then, "Google TV" was its whole own OS initiative. This was years before Android TV was a thing. But Google TV had far less wide-ranging industry support than Android TV has today. And Google TV needed industry support, because it was literally just an OS platform (like Android TV) rather than something Google was able to push by shipping its own hardware. No third parties interested in integrating the platform? No point.

This go-around, "Google TV" seems to be just some first-party Chromecast hardware running an OEM skin over Android TV OS. Much lower CapEx. Far easier to justify as a Google project.

(And it's a logical strategic move, too. A lot of smart TV manufacturers are shipping crap Android TV implementations that plaster advertising everywhere; and the advice everyone gives to get around that is to get an Apple TV, because Apple's tvOS doesn't force ads on you. That gives the Apple ecosystem a foothold in otherwise-Google-ecosystem homes and businesses. Google is likely willing to spend a lot of money to prevent Apple getting that foothold.)

Re: Chromecast with Google TV

#63

Post by scarface74 »

on_and_off wrote: post #60
tfsh wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

Google is also very bad at making its different divisions work together. Which is pretty neat when you work on a competing product (and way better than having them use their dominant position to help prop up a new product). I worked on a music streaming service for a long time. We had a stellar relationship with Google. It felt a bit weird that they did not push Play Music more .. in my opinion it was at one time a g…

And looking from the outside.

The Apple TV app works with third party providers along with Siri.

And Apple participates in Movies Anywhere. If you buy a movie from a participating studio from either Amazon, Google or Vudu, among others, it’s counted as a purchase in iTunes. The same is true in the other direction.

Re: Chromecast with Google TV

#66

Post by Someone1234 »

tehlike wrote: post #45
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.

don't know about google tv, but chromecast is wildly successful.

Combing both Chromecast and Android TV (e.g. Nvidia Shield) has a less than 10% market share.

Making it smaller than Samsung, Amazon, and much smaller than Roku (market leader). It seems to have a hardcore audience that think the world of it (or who haven't tried anything else), but most of the market moved on years ago.

If anything this Google TV "Chromecast" is designed to make Chromecast relevant again.

Re: Chromecast with Google TV

#67

Post by TulliusCicero »

Someone1234 wrote: post #66
tehlike wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

don't know about google tv, but chromecast is wildly successful.

Combing both Chromecast and Android TV (e.g. Nvidia Shield) has a less than 10% market share. Making it smaller than Samsung, Amazon, and much smaller than Roku (market leader). It seems to have a hardcore audience that think the world of it (or who haven't tried anything else), but most of the market moved on years ago. If anything this Google TV "Chromecast" is designed to make Chromecast relevant again.

I've heard that outside the US, Android TV is very successful.

Re: Chromecast with Google TV

#68

Post by StringyBob »

Someone1234 wrote: post #58

The Netflix offer is difficult to ignore if you already have the Netflix standard plan, it essentially makes this device cost only $12.05 ($12.99 * 6 = 77.94 - $89.99). That kind of offer isn't itself surprising, but it being available to existing Netflix subscribers is unusual.

Tempted by the offer being open to existing subscribers, but seems odd they are selling a 4K/HDR supporting device, but not offering a 4K based plan!

Re: Chromecast with Google TV

#69

Post by TulliusCicero »

usaphp wrote: post #53

I still have the Sony TV with built in Google TV, which is a brick now, because I can't update it anymore and google has abandoned it. Not doing the same mistake again.

As opposed to other built-in OEM smart platforms, which definitely have a long life filled with useful updates?

The real solution is that the smarts should be in a Chromecast or Apple TV or Roku, that way it's easy to replace or upgrade.

Re: Chromecast with Google TV

#70

Post by owenwil »

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.

The BIG difference here is that Netflix is fully integrated with the search/queue/discovery experience, along with all of the other major streaming services like Prime. Apple hasn't managed to land that one yet – having access to their content baked into the experience is a huge advantage, let alone not alienating Netflix as Apple did in the past with the TV app: https://9to5mac.com/2019/03/18/netflix-apple-video-service-t...
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