Google last friday announced the launch of its newest hardware device, Chromecast. It is a 2-inch hardware device which it bills as being the “easiest way to enjoy online entertainment on the TV.”
Google Android and Chrome chief Sundar Pinchai said that 200 billion online videos are being watched globally. But one problem people have apparently is how to bring the Internet to the TV.
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He says 15 percent of households each week are able to transfer that information over to the bigger screen. With the updated version of Chrome, Google hopes to extend the experience to the television.
Chromecast is a 2-inch device (specifically 72(L) x 35(W) x 12(H) mm) built on Chrome technology running a simplified version of the OS. Consumers need only plug it into HDMI input, connect to the WiFi and sit back and watch.
Chromecast will receive input from an app to display high-resolution content from the cloud to the device. Users have full control over playback from their mobile phone, tablet, or laptop. The device is intelligent enough to handle multitasking so that users can search for content without interrupting their on-screen viewing. Content can be queued up without stopping what people are watching.
For those with iOS devices, you can access the YouTube app, tap on the Cast icon and it will automatically push the content to your Chromecast-enabled television.
Chromecast works not only with YouTube, but also Netflix, Google Music, Pandora, and more.
In essence, Google is hoping Chromecast will create the true universal remote, except it won’t help you turn on/off your television.
Developers who want to integrate their apps into Chromecast can utilize Google’s Cast SDK.
If you’re looking to purchase the Chromecast, it’s available on the Google Play store for $35. It comes with three months of Netflix viewing for free. The device is also available at retail stores like Best Buy.
Source: TNW
