Google Chromecast Reviewed; Google Nixes Netflix Discount 128
adeelarshad82 writes "While it's more limited than the Roku 3 and by no means Google's answer to Airplay, Chromecast sets itself apart from other similar products simply based on its price and potential of bringing Internet HDTV streaming to many more people than before. Priced at only $35, it's a direct stick that plugs into your HDTV's HDMI port and lets you stream media from Netflix, YouTube, and Google Play through your smartphone, tablet, or notebook. Unlike the Roku Stick, it uses a separate micro-USB port instead of MHL to power it. This on one hand means you need to run a cable from the stick to a USB port, making it much less neat than it would seem. On the other hand, it means the stick works with any HDTV, whether it has an MHL-capable HDMI port or not. Once connected, the setup itself is fairly simple and entirely app-controlled. Past the setup, your streaming content choices are currently limited, though Google released an API for the Chromecast, so more apps could support it in the future. For now Android users can stream media from Google Play Movies and Music, as well as Netflix and YouTube whereas iOS users can watch Netflix and YouTube via the Chromecast. From a computer, users can stream media from Netflix, YouTube, Google Play, and Chrome. Unlike Apple TV and AirPlay, Chromecast doesn't let you stream your locally stored media. In fact Google Play Music gives an error message when you try to play music you loaded on your device yourself and not through the Google Play store. All in all, at $35 it's the most affordable way to access online media services on your HDTV."
El Reg also got their hands on one. Alas, one perk of grabbing the Chromecast is gone: Google ended the free three month Netflix bundle that was worth almost as much as the cost of the Chromecast itself after sales were much higher than expected (so high it looks like they ran out of them after only a day). Update: 07/26 21:20 GMT by U L : iFixIt posted a teardown of the Chromecast.
Re:Local media does stream (Score:2, Insightful)
Cute, But ... (Score:2, Insightful)
It's a cute device, but not really ready for public consumption. Its restricted (or incomplete?) support means you can only use what Google lets you rather than any video on the source device.
I'm sure they'll improve the compatibility, but until then it's just a device that streams Google approved content.
Re:What's the big deal? (Score:5, Insightful)
I can buy an entire movie studio for a few million bucks, so I don't see why anyone would want something less than half the price.
Re:Clever strategy (Score:5, Insightful)
5. Only show pictures of the device itself plugged into the back of a TV, not with the required power adapter & cord, to make it seem smaller than it really is.
Re:If it doesn't even play homemade ogg/mp3 files (Score:4, Insightful)
"Doesn't allow"? You mean none of the apps at launch do that. Considering you can write your own sender and receiver apps, it allows you to do just about anything you can code.
Re:What's the big deal? (Score:5, Insightful)
Do you not know how to set up a webserver to stream your library from your local share?
Is there a reason I should have to do this?
Re:Clever strategy (Score:3, Insightful)
It seems like the most surefire way for Google to "be evil" in people's eyes is to have special offers and go the extra mile. Offer google reader for free for years with a cutoff date? Evil! Offer free netflix, with a cutoff date? Evil! Donate to charity-- but only SOME of your assets? Evil!
Apparently the only way for them not to be evil is to only ever donate the entirety of their assets, offer services in perpetuity, and ever make any money whatsoever.
Re:If it doesn't even play homemade ogg/mp3 files (Score:4, Insightful)
So the fact that you can't do it equates to you being not allowed to do it?
I'm gonna find the bastard who's not allowed me to be a pro athlete and sue him for decades of lost income.