I keep checking around occasionally to see if my Chromecast will become useful today. I would have expected that only a few days after its release, the Google Play store would be filled with interesting Chromecast apps, and existing Android apps would be adding Chromecast features. As of today, the only apps capable of playing media on the Chromecast are still apps that it launched with. I've heard a bit about Koush's unreleased apps, which tells me that the holdup is Google themselves. What gives? Why are they doing this? Does anyone have any idea of when they will allow developers to release their apps? The way this Chromecast thing has played out so far seems very unlike Google, and is making me quite disappointed with them.
Waiting on Google to release the sdk out of beta. No timeline yet. It will come....
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
I think main reason for the release of the device was to bring Google Movies service to your big screen TV, the rest was just a bonus. Looks like due to lots of licensing issues, this will be a slow and painful process and I hope it doesn't become the next Apple TV that is barely useful without the jailbreak and XBMC on it.
I also hope someone turns the script from the other thread to a mobile app in a similar fashion to what Koush did.
The way I figure it:
If you were an early adopter, you get a Netflix, Youtube, Google Play and sort-of Chrome tab player for $35. If you got the Netflix 3 months code, then it cost you even less. Think back to the last time you bought a disappointing piece of technology that you had high hopes for... at least this one is cheap!
I'm sure the public SDK will happen when it's good and ready. I just think Google wants to have out some more examples of big-name apps that work really well with Chromecast, before they open the floodgates to all the rest of the devs.
cmstlist said:
Think back to the last time you bought a disappointing piece of technology that you had high hopes for... at least this one is cheap!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is true. It's just frustrating to own a capable device with artificial limitations.
Yea we should of known something was up when 3 months of netflix with the device at only $35. That tells me they knew the only content provider they had on board now was netflix. To keep most happy they can say "oh we pretty much gave you the device". Enjoy old movies for the next 6 months and we will slowly add content. Only way for Google to make money is to not let devs release their apps. Fortunately some will grow tired and root the device "again" and developers will create programs that function with beta sdk and your device ID that will enable apps to work as they choose. Only issue is we will never be able to receive content updates as that would patch root access. Kinda a lose lose situation. lol
Its cool dont get me wrong... To sit on the shelf and say i have 5 of them. But in know way fun to use if you already had your netflix and youtube experience. I recommend android stick mk808 or higher even a roku as they are very fun to tinker with.
I think before the 3 months of Netflix expire we'll at least see a few more big names come on board. Both developers and customers are beating down the door to get in.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4
I can't help but to be pessimistic about all of this. How can a device with such a simple idea of casting not come out with the ability to cast images from your phone to the TV? It is an obvious omission that almost everyone wants and would have been a simple coding to get it working at launch.
Either way though, I must say I really love my Chromecast as-is, even though it does have these unnecessary artificial limitations.
AlexNC75 said:
I can't help but to be pessimistic about all of this. How can a device with such a simple idea of casting not come out with the ability to cast images from your phone to the TV? It is an obvious omission that almost everyone wants and would have been a simple coding to get it working at launch.
Either way though, I must say I really love my Chromecast as-is, even though it does have these unnecessary artificial limitations.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Geez people! Have some freaking patients! The SDK is in beta and developers are not allowed to release apps yet. Do you really think they created an SDK to never release it? WTF! It's like a bunch of little kids in a candy store and their mom telling them they can't eat all their candy right away. The SDK WILL be released and people WILL create apps or add functionality to current apps...
Doctors have plenty of patients.
I'd bet the vast majority of purchasers will only ever use this for the 'sanctioned' apps that G itself gets behind. Picasa should have been included out the gate. When I hacked the mk808, it was one of the first things I wanted to do, get my photos up on the big screen. Maybe someday we'll see 'Chromecast-Ready' advertising, but I still wonder how G makes real bank on this product. It's saving grace so far is price and future potential.
edit: and the more I think about it, that future potential tends to circumvent G's interests.
While everyone has a conspiracy theory I think what we're seeing is a typical new product cycle. For a product like Chromecast to be successful Google needs as many apps to support it as possible. However, I'm sure after that app developers are reluctant to support a new hardware product until there are enough devices to warrant it. Look, Windows phone has millions of phones in use but app developers aren't going there. Yes, Chromecast doesn't require much from the app developer but using their precious resources costs money and they don't want to go there until the hardware was proving itself as something people wanted.
Hence Netflix. It was a seed product. An app many millions of people use. If they were on board it could help sell the product. And help it did. I believe the success of Chromecast caught Google off guard. Clearly they weren't able to handle the demand for hardware and the demand by app developers to get things into the Play Store. While they may have thought they'd have until Holiday season to get things rolling, it has been accelerated greatly.
I expect that the next run of the hardware will be bigger and longer. I work for a company that has products made in China. It can take 6 weeks just to get on the schedule of a manufacturer and then many weeks to produce and then 3 weeks to come across the water and go through customs, then another 2 weeks to get into the channel. That's months. Google has more money to throw at the manufacturer to speed things up but there may not be too many suppliers that can make this product.
Time is what is needed. By the end of the year we'll know a lot more. Be patient.
Related
[POLL]Does PlayMusic,TVShows & Magazines Unavailability on NEXUS7 outside US matters?
As you may already be aware of, some of Google Play features are not available outside of US at this moment, and that includes Play Music, TV shows and Magazines.
DOES IT REALLY MATTERS TO YOU?
How many of us actually buy these things from market, please use the VOTING button.
I just hate all websites cribbing about NEXUS 7 and bringing out Negative points unnecessarily !!!
I prefer to have these items available, but if they were not due to location or whatever reason I'm sure we as a community could devise a workaround/solution.
The next step is to rename the thread to something besides [POLL], heh.
???
I can see the poll
???
Need another option for: Screw it, I'll make it work.
This is the xda community you're polling.
Xi2wiked said:
Need another option for: Screw it, I'll make it work.
This is the xda community you're polling.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
XDA devs will make it work, that's another story.
Basically I wanna know how its a negative point & how many ppl actually uses it !!
For me, the only thing I would be interested in is the TV shows, but I can happily live without. I don't care much for the magazines, and I already have Google Music, through the use of a proxy as soon as it was released!
It does matter up to a point but for me the number one issue putting me off the Google Play shop is the absolute lack of proper search engine. Considering how Google made their name in the first place it is just embarrassing. If they would sort that out I would happily live with the lower level of content.
EVIL JIMMY said:
For me, the only thing I would be interested in is the TV shows, but I can happily live without. I don't care much for the magazines, and I already have Google Music, through the use of a proxy as soon as it was released!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here!
Google Music is actually the most important feature for me, as I have all of my music files stored there and working perfectly since day one. And there's also plenty of good and free books available in the Google Play store.
I'd like to see Magazines. Music would probably be useful too (currently not in the cloud at all). Also, unrelated to Play, I'd like proper Wallet support (I did the hack to get it working on my Nexus, bought 3 coffees with the pre-pay and then it didn't work any more as I can't recharge it)
I'm aware there's workarounds for us UK folk but it all seems so unnecessary, especially when Apple seem to have sussed it. I hope Google can work out whatever crappy licensing rubbish prevents it at some point soon.
I'd like music to be available to buy but its not as if its hard to buy/download elsewhere and upload to the library.
I know if/when TV becomes available it will likely be months/series behind the US availability so I'll still use other methods to get recent shows. Recently I decided to check out iTunes and the UK was things like series 6 of mythbusters against the US currently showing series 10. I'd actually happily pay for the TV if they can get US shows available in the UK at the same time/not long after they are in the US. Not likely though.
Magazines aren't really a big consideration.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk 2
Music I'd like, but I'll just use the workaround anyway, the rest doesn't matter at all.
Well you can sign up for Google Music using a proxy, and from that point on, use it just fine on Android (you can't BUY music, but you can use it to store your own music). I have been doing this for over a year from the UK.
If you want Magazines, then you have Zinio, which has an excellent selection. I think you also get some trial issues too when you install it (I did with my Asus TF101)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zinio.mobile.android.reader
Perhaps Google should just buy them...
TV Shows, well Loveflim and Netflix offer that...
So no, whilst it would be nice, it's not essential, as unlike Apple, Android gives you the option of consumer choice. In the UK we have Apps/Movies/Books. And it's sure the others will arrive eventually, once content publishers can be certain that upsettting the iTunes/Apple monopoly for content publishing is worth it. Apple are the ones that are holding a gun to content publishers heads. Supply to Google and lose iTunes publishing.
#BoycottApple
I put down that it matters, but I still bought. I do consider it a negative, when up here in Canada it seems that if there's one thing Apple does right, it's allow us a more inclusive media selection. I mean, I still use iTunes for purchasing music, and thanks to iSyncr and PlayerPro I can still reference my media library but.. it's not as slick as a real Google solution.
Don't care about the TV, but Magazines I also care about - would love to be able to read mag's on that thing. I'll check out Zinio, but not holding my breath.
So ya, to me it matters as in Google stop ignoring us, but doesn't matter enough to affect my purchases..
Thankfully EBooks do work up here at least....
I think if I bought a nexus 7, I'd try to use the play store
seems Close call, let see the no. on 19th July: UK Release !!
Not a big deal, as I will mainly use it for browsing/internets and some gaming.
I don't want to buy music as mp3, but I want to subscribe to music streaming service, ditto magazine and books. I don't want to buy them, but I would like a "credit" system where I can pick a few books or magazines every month. If that's not possible, I don't need any content from the google store, just apps.
well im from germany and it would be much better to have some good german magazines build for the nexus 7.. the U.S. is not the only market ^^ all in all maybe 40% at the end of the year I guess.
CrazyPeter said:
If you want Magazines, then you have Zinio, which has an excellent selection. I think you also get some trial issues too when you install it (I did with my Asus TF101)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zinio.mobile.android.reader
#BoycottApple
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, sure I had tried this in the past but took another look, and seems ideal. It's got my usual holiday-reading fare in there like T3 etc.
Cheers for the recommendation. Will investigate the music workaround at some point for my existing stuff too.
Google blocks Chromecast app that let you stream your own videos...
"Google hasn't provided a clear answer on whether Chromecast will eventually let users stream their own local videos and music to the TV screen. But if early updates for the $35 dongle are any indication, the company doesn't want third-party developers trying to deliver that functionality. The most recent Chromecast update has broken support for AllCast, an Android application that previously allowed users to stream their personal media to a TV. AllCast (also known as AirCast thanks to a trademark dispute) could play back files stored in a phone's gallery, Dropbox, or Google Drive. Developer Koushik Dutta accomplished the feat by reverse engineering the Chromecast's code. He'd released several betas of the app, even planning a release on Google Play, before Google's latest software update broke things — "intentionally" in Dutta's opinion."
Read more...
http://www.theverge.com/2013/8/25/4...chromecast-app-that-let-you-stream-own-videos
They blocked these two apps so far:
https://plus.google.com/110558071969009568835/posts/G3jF2JynLc2
https://plus.google.com/117916055521642810655/posts/23BrB267QHJ
Let Google know exactly how you feel about this issue. If you're not happy downgrade and comment on their official Chromecast app.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.chromecast.app&hl=en
xuser said:
They blocked these two apps so far:
https://plus.google.com/110558071969009568835/posts/G3jF2JynLc2
https://plus.google.com/117916055521642810655/posts/23BrB267QHJ
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those apps were never approved and on the app whitelist. ALL apps are blocked by default. Only approved apps will run on the Chromecast. What those apps were doing was reverse engineering the Chromecast and using a hack to get around it. Google fixed that hack.
New names for Chromecast:
iCast
Castrate
ClosedCast
CastOff
OutCast
Sucks that now only YouTube and Netflix are the only things that'll play. Enjoyed the ability to play local media.
xuser said:
New names for Chromecast:
iCast
Castrate
ClosedCast
CastOff
OutCast
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm calling mine Ebaycast.
I've got a Roku3 that does everything I need..
Very disappointing! I was at a friend's home and he was showing off mirroring his iclone through Apple tv. Was hoping Chromecast would top that.
Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app
After getting Aircast and fling to work, I ordered 2 more Chromecast dongles. Just cancelled them.
Hopefully Google is just temp blocking until ready to officially supporti 3rd party apps. If not, back to Roku.
I don't know if anyone else noticed but casting a local video file from a chrome browser tab actually plays smoother now. But aircast provided the easiest way to cast a video file from an Android phone.
After getting Aircast and fling to work, I ordered 2 more Chromecast dongles. Just cancelled them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no interest in buying another Chromecast until this gets sorted out either.
So everyone is disappointed that it doesn't do something they never said it would? A lot to do about nothing if you ask me.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
So everyone is disappointed that it doesn't do something they never said it would? A lot to do about nothing if you ask me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mostly because it was more useful when AllCast and Fling worked. Kind of back in the ballpark with Google TV now in that it doesn't do a lot (for me anyway). Nothing more, nothing less.
Disappointed
akellar said:
So everyone is disappointed that it doesn't do something they never said it would? A lot to do about nothing if you ask me.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd say we are disappointed because it appears Google is intent on heading off the kind of innovation and creativity that has made the Android platform so wonderful. Google should let developers do what they do best: reverse engineer, hack and create, to turn Chromecast into the most powerful and versatile device it can be. They should let people root the device, they should let people work around the limits.
The disappointment is more that this is a sign that Google is not interested in fostering a creative, innovative developer community for Android. The disappointment is more that Google seems so short sighted in thinking they need to lock everything down. I thought they knew that a large part of the appeal of the platform has always been how open it is.
akellar said:
So everyone is disappointed that it doesn't do something they never said it would? A lot to do about nothing if you ask me.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It may never have been announced to be able to do it, but to most it was obvious that the device was capable of doing it and that with dev support a lot was possible. It is disappointing to see how restrictive Google is being in taking away support for a function that the chromecast can handle. That being said, there will always be a way to accomplish this, it is just a matter of how inconvenient Google is going to make it.
While Google is within their own rights to change parts of the software that was never intended to be used for 3rd party, it's a massive mistake for Google to do this just to kill off those 3rd party apps. There must be a good reason for it and Google should make a public announcement as to why. There's probably a good % of sales of Chromecast specifically because of the functionality AirCast gave. I was going to buy a ChromeCast only because of the functionality AirCast gave but without this, a ChromeCast is useless for me.
I won't be buying until this functionality is officially supported or Google provides an official API/support for 3rd party applications that do provide this functionality.
Such a shame as Google had some much promise behind this product but that seems to have disappeared.
Hey
Just discovered an app that streams local content to any dnla player - wiTV. It offers mostly russian online contant but.. It also offers streaming local content from all of your devices including apple pc and Android. It creates a dnla local server on mobile devices and you can launch local media playback and scroll through it on the mobile device plays well on my old asus oplay r3 and samsung tv
Have fun and screw u Google! I can't believe i paid $100 to buy junk
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
jamosjamos said:
I'd say we are disappointed because it appears Google is intent on heading off the kind of innovation and creativity that has made the Android platform so wonderful. Google should let developers do what they do best: reverse engineer, hack and create, to turn Chromecast into the most powerful and versatile device it can be. They should let people root the device, they should let people work around the limits.
The disappointment is more that this is a sign that Google is not interested in fostering a creative, innovative developer community for Android. The disappointment is more that Google seems so short sighted in thinking they need to lock everything down. I thought they knew that a large part of the appeal of the platform has always been how open it is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The SDK isn't final. And in this case the developer hacked around one of the most essential parts (the app whitelist). No offense, but I don't want Netflix, HBO, etc to pull their content off the Chromecast so Google can let hackers design apps to stream content from my phone in a non-standard way that was never intented. How about we all wait until the SDK is final before judging Google. All they did was fix a security hole in the device.
Techno79 said:
While Google is within their own rights to change parts of the software that was never intended to be used for 3rd party, it's a massive mistake for Google to do this just to kill off those 3rd party apps. There must be a good reason for it and Google should make a public announcement as to why. There's probably a good % of sales of Chromecast specifically because of the functionality AirCast gave. I was going to buy a ChromeCast only because of the functionality AirCast gave but without this, a ChromeCast is useless for me.
I won't be buying until this functionality is officially supported or Google provides an official API/support for 3rd party applications that do provide this functionality.
Such a shame as Google had some much promise behind this product but that seems to have disappeared.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree.
I purchased the ChromeCast only for the purpose of wireless playing movies from my laptop to my HDTV. I currently use a HDMI cable, but thought wireless would be ideal.
I never use Netflix.
I never use Utube.
I wasted $35 plus shipping, because google refuses to allow me to use the hardware I purchased the way I want to.
It just arrived a few days ago, and I can root it.
But I don't think rooting it will help.
It's just a paperweight now.
Maybe I can return it to Google for a full refund?
ddiehl said:
I'm calling mine Ebaycast.
I've got a Roku3 that does everything I need..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I just love DLNA support on my Roku3.
jamosjamos said:
I'd say we are disappointed because it appears Google is intent on heading off the kind of innovation and creativity that has made the Android platform so wonderful. Google should let developers do what they do best: reverse engineer, hack and create, to turn Chromecast into the most powerful and versatile device it can be. They should let people root the device, they should let people work around the limits.
The disappointment is more that this is a sign that Google is not interested in fostering a creative, innovative developer community for Android. The disappointment is more that Google seems so short sighted in thinking they need to lock everything down. I thought they knew that a large part of the appeal of the platform has always been how open it is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope you sent this as feedback, very well put. The corporate device manufacture, including Google has benefited from free private development. A lot of the features that come on devices today started with the devs witch in turn busted sales from their innovation and put android where it is today.
Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app
I don't under stand what the problem was. I mean, I was just using AllCast to watch videos of my kids on the TV. I'm not willing to spend time to upload videos to YouTube just to do that (nevermind privacy concerns and the fact the world doesn't care about my kid doing backflips off the couch).
I already have an HTPC for media playback, there's only personal content on my phone.
This was probably disabled because it wasn't using the actual SDK and was more of a hack. Was neat while it lasted.
I bought chromecast the day it came out from best buy. Since then I have used it maybe 3 times. It was more of an impulse buy since most Google stuff is awesome.
The fact that I can only use this with Netflix or YouTube is bs. Trying to get local vids to play through chrome browser is hit or miss. Most of the time it just downloads whatever movie I try to play. If I want to watch a local vid from the comp I just turn on the Xbox.
Hopefully Google gets their stuff together and let's ppl stream from the phone to the tv, then I would use it. Until then it will remain plugged into my TV taking up an HDMI port until I need to plug in something that I will use or until Google adds more functionality. And Netflix streaming sucks. Kinda a crappy "bonus" if u ask me.
Not useless, but my excitement has waned significantly. Google seems to be following the GoogleTV mode on this device too, which means we most likely won't ever see it reach its potential, for a myriad of political and monetary reasons. My similarly priced Rockchip MK808 GTV stick has lots of capabilities, but I did have to buy a control point (Lenovo N5902) and it is a bit more fiddly than Chromecast, but the power and capability makes it worth it.
What's with the incessant whining? The product has only been out for less than a month, it's still getting into customers' hands and its development is in progress. The product's capabilities were clear when you bought it (Netflix, YouTube, Google Play and Chrome tab streaming). Wait for progress or return it and save us the drama.
If you want to see what incessant whining looks like, please visit any Logitech Revue GTV forum...
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
I see a lot of people complaining that this device only does what google said it would do. I don't understand this. When the SDK is officially released and apps start appearing then you will get extra functionality but until then don't complain that you can do exactly what was advertised.
I agree, chromecast is pretty much useless.
Casting from a Chrome browser tab gives me a low quality picture.
I'm back to using hdmi cable.
It will gather dust until someday Google permits Fling to function again.
Or maybe until the next garage sale?
Regards
I'm pretty happy with it so far. Netflix support is great and Play Movies is (in my opinion) the best place to purchase digital movies. Really the only thing it's missing for me is playing *ahem* acquired movies.
I am happy with it so far.
I have never been a big youtube user because i don't like to sit at the computer and watch videos. Chromcasting youtube has been a ton of fun for me over the past couple of weeks. I find it a little easier than using youtube in the browser on my htpc with the keyboard. I experience less eyestrain looking at the tablet in my hands than trying to navigate youtube the screen 10+ feet away.
...but hoping the pace of new casting enabled apps picks up.
HowardZ said:
I agree, chromecast is pretty much useless.
Casting from a Chrome browser tab gives me a low quality picture.
I'm back to using hdmi cable.
It will gather dust until someday Google permits Fling to function again.
Or maybe until the next garage sale?
Regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats funny since the app you loved so much uses the same video compress as the chrome browser. I cant beleive anyone is happy flinging <480p video(as far as i know the 500px width is about the highest quality webm video they've gotten to go to the chromecast. Its a neat tool but not practical for transcoding hidef video(or even dvd)
I agree with the current lack of usability. Hopefully new functions will appear soon.
It does what Google said it would do. More functionality hopefully will come and should come. But I use Chromecast daily for watching Breaking Bad and YouTube for my son
Sent from my CLEAN Note II
I got mine about a week ago ir less after being on backorder for 4 weeks. I too HOPE we get more functionality from it soon/in time. BUT it has been nice to have for me for the price. My living room big tv has directCRAPtv connected to it which is okay but no other real devices except dvd player and vhs bel8eve it or not (which hardly ever get used).
So for the price it cost $42 shipped even with netflix it is worth thst little money. We have 3 roku's connected in three other rooms with netflix already, Hulu+ and they cost what about 3 times as much and dont do much more than this.
Since we have already seen some PREVIEW apps that shows what it CAN DO I know in time it will have more usage available. Hell I remember when the google market didnt have many apps with my first android device. I kept seeing comparisons (as stupid as they were) about iCrap having way mire apps available. Some things like this Chromecast start off slowly but I bet most apps worth streaming will work soon enough. So for the price I paid I can wait a while for the functionality I want.
I am an adult and have some patience. We have already seen Google response to the local streaming content. So I know in time it will come. So no worries. I probabky wont buy another 1 or more until it has the functionality/apps ready. But for the price and features already it is worth it. I rather watch the netflix on the 72" screen than my rooms 3w inch screens, let alone my tab or phone. Do I watch it on the other devices? Yes. So I feel the difference in the big screen...
Sent from My Spiderman Themed I337
wideasleep1 said:
If you want to see what incessant whining looks like, please visit any Logitech Revue GTV forum...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No offense to you but a good amount of that "incessant whining" is highly justified. Logitech pretty much has left us with a device that is buggy beyond belief. If I can't do simple stuff like YouTube without having to reformat it every other day then it's a fail in my opinion. Aw well once I can get my hands on the MiniX Neo X7 then I'm done with the Revue once and for all.
AngryManMLS said:
No offense to you but a good amount of that "incessant whining" is highly justified. Logitech pretty much has left us with a device that is buggy beyond belief. If I can't do simple stuff like YouTube without having to reformat it every other day then it's a fail in my opinion. Aw well once I can get my hands on the MiniX Neo X7 then I'm done with the Revue once and for all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
None taken...I felt your pain for a few weeks before throwing in the towel on that product (ow, the pain of early adopter). My point is that we've 'been here before' with some Google widget that fell short of its promise, owing to a too-early, 'not ready for prime-time player' (nod to the SNL oldsters out there) and disorganised messages about updates and direction of development. If they're hunkering down in attempt to curry favor with big media companies (learned a lesson from GTV?), we're in for a long wait, and likely a hampered SDK, Still, I like what I've seen from these third-party devs (Bubble, ALL/Air, etc.), and hope we see a quick release and uptick on 'indie' dev that doesn't necessarily promote Google's own agenda.
edit: I'm curious why you prefer the Minix X7 over a recent MK Rockchip stick?
What is useless is this thread. Please remember this is a developers forum and not a complaint site. Unless you have something that contributes to development do not create threads.
Thread closed
I am happy with the functionality of the Chromecast. Netflix, Play Music and YouTube function quite well. I liked briefly being able to play local media. But I can't help but wonder what will Google add to it. Roku has so many channels both official and private. Apple TV just added a couple more. Not very many but still many more then Google. Any thoughts on how Chromecast will mature.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA Premium HD app
I think so many people are caught up in the idea of playing their local media, that they had forgot that this device can do so much more!
I am personally working on a couple of preview/proof-of-concept projects, within the guidelines that Google has given us, including having my Chromecast whitelisted. And they still work just fine, aka not blocked.
One is a game (with plans to develop quite a few games).
One is a home automation/security hub integration.
There is a lot of potential for this device. And even with an unfinished SDK, the current API allows for all of this still.
Consider this. The receiver app API is 100% compatible to JavaScript and HTML5. And so much can be developed on these platforms.
The problem I see is, we have SOOOOOO many more "consumers/users" roaming this device then we do developers. And when the proof-of-concept that the CC could playback local media emerged, everyone was FLING'n to that and didn't allow their minds to see outside that box (like the pun there?).
I for one am still extremely excited for this product. As a developer, I see it as a great tool that adds an outlet to my creativity which can be integrated with current relevant apps and web experiences, and future ones.
I truly hope that the rest of the community can see this "light at the end of the tunnel" as well. I'd hate to see the CC get such a bad rep just because an ability that was never promised in the first place, got, for all we know, temporarily disabled.
Unholyfire said:
I think so many people are caught up in the idea of playing their local media, that they had forgot that this device can do so much more!
I am personally working on a couple of preview/proof-of-concept projects, within the guidelines that Google has given us, including having my Chromecast whitelisted. And they still work just fine, aka not blocked.
One is a game (with plans to develop quite a few games).
One is a home automation/security hub integration.
There is a lot of potential for this device. And even with an unfinished SDK, the current API allows for all of this still.
Consider this. The receiver app API is 100% compatible to JavaScript and HTML5. And so much can be developed on these platforms.
The problem I see is, we have SOOOOOO many more "consumers/users" roaming this device then we do developers. And when the proof-of-concept that the CC could playback local media emerged, everyone was FLING'n to that and didn't allow their minds to see outside that box (like the pun there?).
I for one am still extremely excited for this product. As a developer, I see it as a great tool that adds an outlet to my creativity which can be integrated with current relevant apps and web experiences, and future ones.
I truly hope that the rest of the community can see this "light at the end of the tunnel" as well. I'd hate to see the CC get such a bad rep just because an ability that was never promised in the first place, got, for all we know, temporarily disabled.
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Thank you for this post. We finally get one of the few adult posts around here. I'm very interested in what you have planned so far.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4
Unholyfire said:
I think so many people are caught up in the idea of playing their local media, that they had forgot that this device can do so much more!
I am personally working on a couple of preview/proof-of-concept projects, within the guidelines that Google has given us, including having my Chromecast whitelisted. And they still work just fine, aka not blocked.
One is a game (with plans to develop quite a few games).
One is a home automation/security hub integration.
There is a lot of potential for this device. And even with an unfinished SDK, the current API allows for all of this still.
Consider this. The receiver app API is 100% compatible to JavaScript and HTML5. And so much can be developed on these platforms.
The problem I see is, we have SOOOOOO many more "consumers/users" roaming this device then we do developers. And when the proof-of-concept that the CC could playback local media emerged, everyone was FLING'n to that and didn't allow their minds to see outside that box (like the pun there?).
I for one am still extremely excited for this product. As a developer, I see it as a great tool that adds an outlet to my creativity which can be integrated with current relevant apps and web experiences, and future ones.
I truly hope that the rest of the community can see this "light at the end of the tunnel" as well. I'd hate to see the CC get such a bad rep just because an ability that was never promised in the first place, got, for all we know, temporarily disabled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I look forward to the gaming part as from what I understand there is a lag between the input and display on the tv. And for gaming lag is an absolute no-no.
Unholyfire said:
I think so many people are caught up in the idea of playing their local media, that they had forgot that this device can do so much more!
I am personally working on a couple of preview/proof-of-concept projects, within the guidelines that Google has given us, including having my Chromecast whitelisted. And they still work just fine, aka not blocked.
One is a game (with plans to develop quite a few games).
One is a home automation/security hub integration.
There is a lot of potential for this device. And even with an unfinished SDK, the current API allows for all of this still.
Consider this. The receiver app API is 100% compatible to JavaScript and HTML5. And so much can be developed on these platforms.
The problem I see is, we have SOOOOOO many more "consumers/users" roaming this device then we do developers. And when the proof-of-concept that the CC could playback local media emerged, everyone was FLING'n to that and didn't allow their minds to see outside that box (like the pun there?).
I for one am still extremely excited for this product. As a developer, I see it as a great tool that adds an outlet to my creativity which can be integrated with current relevant apps and web experiences, and future ones.
I truly hope that the rest of the community can see this "light at the end of the tunnel" as well. I'd hate to see the CC get such a bad rep just because an ability that was never promised in the first place, got, for all we know, temporarily disabled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The thing with local media streaming is that it should have been included from the start and is one of the most common and basic needs for Android users. We all have these really nice smartphones with incredible cameras and want a very easy way to push pictures or video we have taken to our big screens for reviewing as a group. I have no doubt it will come once the SDK is out of beta and it's really too bad that we all had access to AirCast because it provided a key functionality then Google took it away. Yes, it should never had happened and I understand why they had to block the hack but they also had to realize it was going to upset a lot of people. I just don't get why they didn't provide this functionality from the start, it's just such a natural solution for Android to share pictures on a big screen....
verysmartncool said:
I look forward to the gaming part as from what I understand there is a lag between the input and display on the tv. And for gaming lag is an absolute no-no.
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Since my proof-of-concept game does not require millisecond latency for control interface from the player to the screen, this is not an issue. Also, the lag that is present appears to be less than a second thus far anyway.
rkirmeier said:
The thing with local media streaming is that it should have been included from the start and is one of the most common and basic needs for Android users. We all have these really nice smartphones with incredible cameras and want a very easy way to push pictures or video we have taken to our big screens for reviewing as a group. I have no doubt it will come once the SDK is out of beta and it's really too bad that we all had access to AirCast because it provided a key functionality then Google took it away. Yes, it should never had happened and I understand why they had to block the hack but they also had to realize it was going to upset a lot of people. I just don't get why they didn't provide this functionality from the start, it's just such a natural solution for Android to share pictures on a big screen....
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I'm not sure why it should have been included. It was never advertised as having that functionality. The Chromecast website states...
The easiest way to enjoy online video and music on your TV.
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It will be great once the SDK is officially released and developers can release an app for that... but it was and is sold as a solution for online video.
I am hopeful people can bring a variety of things to the Chromecast. I can stream my local files to the roku quite easily. And actually I have a slimport and a push2tv. So it is easy. I can already use the roku for angry birds. Not sure whether latency is an issue. It is true that Google did not advertise that it could play local files but they are smart enough to know that customers would want to. If they are worried about upsetting the Cable companies, etc. We have plenty of ways to stream content from our Android devices to the television. I. Can play a local file on the computer using a chrome browser. Granted it looks terrible but it works.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4
Since your phone can already stream these and downloaded YouTube videos placed in the Movies folder look excellent in the GVR, what's the roadblock? Why not just apply whatever algorithm to the streaming video the Movie folder applies to stored video?
It's all already in there, they just need to put the pieces together.
Once this is available the usefulness of this device will skyrocket.
Although unofficial, it's here in beta form. Link Here Haven't tried it myself but the comments on the app page seems to indicate some people having success. I think it will play pc games and show your windows desktop as well.
boodies said:
Although unofficial, it's here in beta form. Link Here Haven't tried it myself but the comments on the app page seems to indicate some people having success. I think it will play pc games and show your windows desktop as well.
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This seems very cool and like an excellent possible answer; however, I can't figure out how to launch it from within the GVR. The SBS screens play perfectly on my phone but the second I place it in the GVR that disappears and the app is not listed in my Library. What's the secret?
Hmmm, playing Hulu on this the lag is very bad.
Just flip the USB up and put the phone underneath it, so the USB is not plugged in.
This is one way to use any non-Gear VR app.
pbelcomp said:
Just flip the USB up and put the phone underneath it, so the USB is not plugged in.
This is one way to use any non-Gear VR app.
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Ah cool thanks.
Yes, it works but the lag is so bad it is unusable and I can't hard tether so kind of SOL.
lol damn, too bad its so laggy. Glad it's somewhat possible but hopefully we'll have a better implementation in the future.
considering the slow rate at which new stuff is being put out at the moment, i truly hope they do "free" the gear VR a bit from the walled garden approach it has right now.
i can totally understand why a manufacturer will want a walled garden ecosystem in a commercial product in the long run, so while of course as a consumer i dont like that, i can see the rationale behind that from samsungs/oculus' perspective. but then, this is the so called "innovator edition", is it not? they know people hack and abuse this thing anyway, they know we throw anything at it we can find and surely wont just watch a handful of trailers in that fine cinema (so far the number one killer feature IMO).
so one would hope that at least during this "innovator phase", they open this thing up a bit more. like, allow gear VR apps to be used without this silly and cumbersome USB-plugout-hack with which you lose the touchpad and everything. or better even, just allow the user access to the regular desktop. like, a zoomable 2d view of your mobile screen. then, while patiently waiting for new content, we could at least fool around with videos from the playstore, enormous skype video calls and other absurdities, and have this thing be what its sold as at this point: a healthy dose of nerd fun without the assumption that it all makes sense yet
zorglub667 said:
considering the slow rate at which new stuff is being put out at the moment, i truly hope they do "free" the gear VR a bit from the walled garden approach it has right now.
i can totally understand why a manufacturer will want a walled garden ecosystem in a commercial product in the long run, so while of course as a consumer i dont like that, i can see the rationale behind that from samsungs/oculus' perspective. but then, this is the so called "innovator edition", is it not? they know people hack and abuse this thing anyway, they know we throw anything at it we can find and surely wont just watch a handful of trailers in that fine cinema (so far the number one killer feature IMO).
so one would hope that at least during this "innovator phase", they open this thing up a bit more. like, allow gear VR apps to be used without this silly and cumbersome USB-plugout-hack with which you lose the touchpad and everything. or better even, just allow the user access to the regular desktop. like, a zoomable 2d view of your mobile screen. then, while patiently waiting for new content, we could at least fool around with videos from the playstore, enormous skype video calls and other absurdities, and have this thing be what its sold as at this point: a healthy dose of nerd fun without the assumption that it all makes sense yet
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Well said. While this is called the "Innovator Edition" they are now selling it through Bestbuy brick and mortar stores. That means they are looking for public commercial acceptance. As such, opening up the full power of this operational Death Star would make sense. I believe the public would be much more excited if they could watch streaming content in realtime as opposed to downloading multi-GB movies. The technology obviously exists to allow this, they simply have chosen not to.