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Chromecast with Google TV

store.google.com

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Re: Chromecast with Google TV

#91

Post by jayd16 »

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…

A chromecast is not in the same product category as a an AppleTV. You'd want an Android TV box/stick for that. Chromecast is more like a cloud connected miracast/DLNA target.

Re: Chromecast with Google TV

#92

Post by jayd16 »

StringyBob wrote: post #68
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!

4K streaming while everyone is stuck at home has been kind of a mess.

Re: Chromecast with Google TV

#93

Post by Someone1234 »

kuprel wrote: post #86
Someone1234 wrote: post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Isn't Amazon's FireOS just a modified version of Android?

Both are just a modified Linux.

They're distinct ecosystems though because Android TV/Chromecast use the Play Store for content/app delivery, whereas Fire TV/Samsung/Roku use their own respective stores.

If one supported both the Play Store and their own, the definitions might be more subject to question, but as it stands they don't officially allow that.

Re: Chromecast with Google TV

#94

Post by anoncareer0212 »

kuprel wrote: post #86
Someone1234 wrote: post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Isn't Amazon's FireOS just a modified version of Android?

Yes

Re: Chromecast with Google TV

#95

Post by anoncareer0212 »

Someone1234 wrote: post #93
kuprel wrote: post #86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Isn't Amazon's FireOS just a modified version of Android?

Both are just a modified Linux. They're distinct ecosystems though because Android TV/Chromecast use the Play Store for content/app delivery, whereas Fire TV/Samsung/Roku use their own respective stores. If one supported both the Play Store and their own, the definitions might be more subject to question, but as it stands they don't officially allow that.

It's fairly straightforward, Amazon patches Android, not Linux.

Re: Chromecast with Google TV

#96

Post by stefan_ »

derefr wrote: post #62
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?…

Google literally just added auto-playing semi-fullscreen video ads to Android TV in August:

https://9to5google.com/2020/08/05/android-tv-homescreen-ad-c...

As long as Google makes its money selling ads every one of their services is just one lousy executive seeking "synergies with the ad business" away from ruining the experience.

Re: Chromecast with Google TV

#98

Post by anoncareer0212 »

judge2020 wrote: post #76
owenwil wrote: post #70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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-ser…

Apple is really trying to get to this too. To give some examples, HBO Max, Crunchyroll, and Disney+ all already integrate into the "TV" app on iOS (and almost certainly on Apple TV) where their shows/episodes are searchable and your incomplete watches show up in 'up next'. see https://developer.apple.com/videos/play/tech-talks/508/

Netflix won't play ball because of Apple TV+, was likely a massive strategic error for them to jump to that when they couldn't negotiate deals with TV channels

Re: Chromecast with Google TV

#99

Post by anoncareer0212 »

criddell wrote: post #57
scarface74 wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

With part of the cost of anything Google related is your privacy....

I don't understand why this comment was downvoted. This is priced the way it is because the profit isn't in the hardware, it's in the viewer data. It's very cheap only if you set the value of your privacy to some very low number.

Anecdotally, techies are tiring of vague statements about privacy and 'you're the product', especially about Google. If theres a tangible cost beyond enabling ad targeting, people are still amenable (this has always been true for the general populace, Google has a more trustworthy image than Apple! Imagine that)

Re: Chromecast with Google TV

#100

Post by stuart78 »

owenwil wrote: post #70
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-ser…

If I recall correctly, this is more due to Netflix than Apple. Not sure if it is business terms or data privacy, but Apple seems open to as many TV App participants as possible.
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