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Google Chromecast

Google Cast is Chromecast for Audio to speakers, receivers and other tech

technologyEdward Kiledjian

Google Cast for Audio is Google's famous ChromeCast tech updated for audio streaming to third party devices. By using the Cast button in supported apps (IOS, Android, browser), you will be able to send audio to any Google Cast for Audio supporting device.

We saw people "hack" ChromeCast dongles with HDMI Converters to create makeshift audio receivers using the cast protocol but this is a much more elegant solution and it beats the crappy audio quality of bluetooth.

Google says the first Cast for Audio speakers will hit US store shelves later in 2015 and that it has already signed up brands like Sony, LG, Denon and more. 

I love the multi-platform nature of this technology. Let's see if it is as popular as the Chromecast or a failure like Android TV.

AllCast Android Media streaming app works with Chromecast... Again

technologyEdward Kiledjian
Image by iannnnn under Creative Commons License

Image by iannnnn under Creative Commons License

The Chromecast is a little wonder at $30. It allows you to easily stream content directly from authorized apps (the internet) straight to your Chromecast without going through you smartphone or tablet. But El Goog (aka Google) has been very protective of its little baby and hasn't allowed "unauthorized" apps to connect and use it.

Why the change? Google released the Cast SDK yesterday which will allow developers to legally write apps for it (most creative developers has reverse engineered the code and were using that to stream to it, which Google didn't like).

Koushik Dutta, the famed developer of the first illegal Chromecast streaming app for Android, reports that he has now added legal support for his Chromecast to his all cast app (which already streams to Apple TV, Roku, Xbox, Playstation and most DLNA compliant devices).

Koushik said adding Chromecast support through the Cast SDK was a 20 minute affair. 

I am really excited because this means we may start seeing Chromecast support popping up on dozens of apps on Android and IOS. 

Streaming content from dozens of apps for $30 is a fantastic deal. Let's see what crazy products developers come out with.

Chromecast now shipping to Canada

technologyEdward Kiledjian
chromecast_1.png

Chromecast is still a US only device according to Google but Amazon.com seems to be willing to ship it to the great white north I call home (aka Canada plus the UK, Australia, Hong Kong and Germany are confirmed).

I bought a unit during a trip to Wichita last week and set it up over the weekend. Because the device is not officially available to international customers, you will have to be creative to find the Google Chromecast configuration app (since it is only available on the US Google Play Store and US Apple iTunes store.)

  • I downloaded the Android APK from here
  • You can read the full discussion on XDA developers here
  • If you only have an IOS device, you will have to create a new US iTunes store account and download the free app, configure your device then switch back to your primary international itunes account.

Amazon.com link here.

I ran my tests over the weekend and you can successfully: 

  • Steam Youtube content
  • Stream Canadian (or your local) Netflix content
  • Stream Google Play content (movies and music) 

If you have a router that VPNs to the US then you can even stream US Netflix. 

If you have a HULU Plus account, you can even stream HULU Plus content to it.

Google's Chromecast is a $35 HDMI streaming solution

technologyEdward Kiledjian
We know Google wants to be linked to your TV but previous efforts have failed miserably (The Google Q or Google TV). Google is now trying a different approach by offering a $35 HDMI dongle that will stream content from a compatible smartphone, tablet, laptop or chromebook.
You can order this (if you are in the US) right now from the Google Play store and have it delivered in a pretty little box in a couple of days. 
As an early adopter bonux, Google is giving away 3 months of Netflix service for free with every dongle. You will be able to pickup a unit in US BEst Buy stores at the end of the month and availability for other regions is being "actively worked on".
At launch, this will work with Netflix, Youtube, Google Music, Google Moovies. iPone and iPad users, fear not, the Sultant of Search has not forgotten you. They clearly say:
Chromecast works with devices you already own, including Android tablets and smartphones, iPhones®, iPads®, Chrome for Mac® and Chrome for Windows®
You may now rejoice IOS fans with the satisfying knowledge that you are part of this party called Chromecast. 
The coolest part is that you will be able to view on your TV anything you are viewing in your Chrome browser.
Nice Greek music in the background of the first Chromecast ad
Google blog post introducing the world to Chromecast
You can buy a Chromecast from Google here.