I've made a big mistake buying a Chromecast 3 - Google Chromecast

Hi everybody! I've been a silent XDA reader for years, solving a lot of problems and using this wonderful forums, but I felt almost the obligation to talk about this device here, so I registered.
I always investigate a device's specs before buying, but it seems I'm getting rusty... One of the things I always look for is the possibility to customize the devices to my needs.
Sadly, I didn't research enough for the Chromecast.
I was hoping XDA could save me, once again, with a custom rom/firmware or something, but this time it seems that the Chromecast 3 is a fully closed device.
I had problems with Chromecast since day one: with my WiFi, bluetooth, casting (NONE of my other devices have problems with my network)... Google Home App is now mandatory and even if you manage to use an anonymous device with an anonymous Google Account to set up the Chromecast, once you uninstall Google Home App or not use the device with it, your Chromecast become almost unusable.
I know that there are a lot of alternative devices for the same purposes (I will buy one of them, of course), but I really hope that in the future there will ALWAYS be alternatives.
I felt really tied and powerless to solve the problems with this device because of it's lack of options and configurations.
A lot of people surely loves this if they can just plug it and it works, but if you are the type that want to tweak things, my advice is to STAY AWAY from Chromecast and similar devices.
For now it will stay in a drawer to the day that alternative firmware is available or even possible.
Sorry for the rant, but the lack of customizing of this device was really overwhelming for me. It the first time I feel so powerless to do anything to solve this type of problems with a techy gadget.
Sorry for my english too. It's not my main language and I'm out of practice.

Tried 1st generation it was good
now i'm using mi box s it's fantastic

gebxda said:
Hi everybody! I've been a silent XDA reader for years, solving a lot of problems and using this wonderful forums, but I felt almost the obligation to talk about this device here, so I registered.
I always investigate a device's specs before buying, but it seems I'm getting rusty... One of the things I always look for is the possibility to customize the devices to my needs.
Sadly, I didn't research enough for the Chromecast.
I was hoping XDA could save me, once again, with a custom rom/firmware or something, but this time it seems that the Chromecast 3 is a fully closed device.
I had problems with Chromecast since day one: with my WiFi, bluetooth, casting (NONE of my other devices have problems with my network)... Google Home App is now mandatory and even if you manage to use an anonymous device with an anonymous Google Account to set up the Chromecast, once you uninstall Google Home App or not use the device with it, your Chromecast become almost unusable.
I know that there are a lot of alternative devices for the same purposes (I will buy one of them, of course), but I really hope that in the future there will ALWAYS be alternatives.
I felt really tied and powerless to solve the problems with this device because of it's lack of options and configurations.
A lot of people surely loves this if they can just plug it and it works, but if you are the type that want to tweak things, my advice is to STAY AWAY from Chromecast and similar devices.
For now it will stay in a drawer to the day that alternative firmware is available or even possible.
Sorry for the rant, but the lack of customizing of this device was really overwhelming for me. It the first time I feel so powerless to do anything to solve this type of problems with a techy gadget.
Sorry for my english too. It's not my main language and I'm out of practice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Chromecast is one of those Google projects that could of been a great thing but apparently they put their focus on ads and more money making programing and such. I tried Firestick and damn is that thing good, comes with its own os within the dongle and comes with a voice blueetoth and IR for tv remote which make you not really on your phone and it has a lot of cool hidden tricks like using bluetooth earphones. Firestick runs basically on android 5.1.1 Just don't run kodi on it it's not powerful enough there's plenty of other movie .apks that can be installed using downloader app. Hell even a raspberry pi with a wireless Logitech k400 plus is a better setup. Now I use Chromecast for hotels, and work brake room [emoji38]
Sent from my NX629J using Tapatalk

Victor8ST said:
What is the point of this topic? The point is you don't recommend people to buy Chromecast 3? I was about to buy one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi! Do whatever you want about it of course. I just wanted to advice people that like to customize your devices, as may be the majority of users of this great forum, that it is a very closed device and you can't tweak much or solve issues if it doesn't work out-of-the-box.
So, I strongly recommend buying an Android TV box instead. Of course it's less trustworthy for private stuff. But if you don't plan to use homebanking or something like that and just watch stuff, them are far better, as other users commented in this topic.
I have an Android TV Box now, ultra customized, rooted, with Netflix, media players, browsers, and lot's of stuff as in any root friendly Android device and it is great.
The bottom line is:
- Do you like Apple ecosystem and feeling more safe with your private stuff, and don't want to customize anything? Buy Chromecast.
- You like customizing your devices and spend time with configurations, tweaking and personalizing? Buy a rooted Android TV box instead.

Related

share your experiances with the nc

i was mislead so im gonna go back and double check at BB to see if what i remember is right or my mind played a trick on me
share your experiances you have had
I rooted mine two hours after buying it, and it's slowly replacing my laptop for web surfing, last.FM, etc
I've wiped mine a few times due to issues i've created tinkering with it....but I love it just the same
Sent from my Nook Color using Tapatalk
As soon as I can get RDP or VNC to work it will replace my laptop when I'm on the move. It is very capable for a tablet.
i just wish it had 3g not every place has free wifi
I used mine about 2 hours total to make sure it was working, then I updated it to 1.0.1, Auto-Nooted it, and have been installing apps and playing with it since. Not a single problem so far except for one which hopefully will get resolved sometime.. I really love my Delicious Bookmarks app, but it requires going into the Accounts and Settings and adding an account, can't do that right now.
I haven't tried the B&N Store or Lend Me since rooting, per http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=873975 <--this thread
Otherwise zero problems, it's working great. I'm using FBReader to read my epubs like I always have. The Softkeys are slightly quirky but I'm getting used to them... and like seems to be totally normal on dual-storage devices, some apps aren't looking in the place I'd expect them to, such as WallSwitch (automatically switch wallpapers) is looking in /system/media and not /sdcard or such like I'd expect it to.. I might wind up pushing my pictures there /system has 160M free, no biggie
EDIT: After running the built-in B&N Gallery app, it seems like it spawned a media search and WallSwitch now shows my Backgrounds folder. Yay.
I have had a very good experience with mine so far- problems, glitches, I have minorly screwed it up a few times.
So far I have not screwed it up totally but I will feel much better when we have a full Recovery.
What I like:
The hardware itself, quality and capability seems quite good. Screen is excellent, especially for such a cheap device. WiFi works well- better signal strength than some expensive laptops I have used.
The mod community for rooting and doing so much excellent work already, and hopefully even greater things to come.
What I don't like:
The crippled version of 2.1 B&N has installed.
The lack of GPS and Bluetooth
the lack of portrait mode in B&Ns included software (eReader and many other sections.)
I knew there were many limitations for the stock NC when I ordered mine so I really am not complaining. I don't even mind the lack of cell service since it is pretty easy to connect to an adhoc wifi tether.
The only reason I considered an NC is because they had been rooted a few days before I ordered.
The whole experience is very familiar to me- I first got a Moto Droid shortly after they were first rooted and spent quite a while happily trying many things - and using recovery often.
It is my fervent hope that the devs are as successful with the NC as they were with the original Droid.
Even as the NC is as I type this it is a very good value and tablet.
If we are lucky, it will be a great one soon.
I bought mine solely for the purpose of reading with the added bonus of web surfing and the occasional movie while on the go. I got mine in November before the root and didn't realize there wasn't flash support until I got it home and started playing, went to youtube and got the crummy "mobile" version where the video looked horrible and audio was out of sync. I stumbled across XDA while looking for some kind of a flash hack and rooted after a week of debating whether I should. I'm glad I did.
Thanks to the root, the NC has gone from mundane to a very worth-while device. I love all the stuff I can do thanks to the app support. The youtube app and Dolphin HD alone make it worth rooting.
I was saying in another thread that I had gotten the NC primarily as a reading device, I love periodicals and the NC is pretty good for those. I was on the fence about getting it for a while, the fact that it could be rooted sealed the deal.
I wound up having to exchange my first NC (thankfully the factory reset went very smoothly) due to serious screen flicker issues when the device was set at a mid-level brightness. My second one is much better, though I can still detect a tiny bit of visual flicker under certain lighting conditions.. not a deal-breaker tho.
Couple issues that I've come across :
1. I screwed up the driver install on my PC the first time I tried it, didn't have the INI file in the right place and couldn't side-load anything on to my NC or access it as a storage device. Totally my fault for botching that one. Second try worked fine.
2. My YouTube app no longer launches, it just flicks on for a sec and goes back to the desktop. Probably need to re-install it.
3. Some memory issues when using ACV (comic viewer) to view CBR files. Frequent issues loading pages from the archive files. No issues at all if I extract the images to folders first and load that way, though so it's all good for my comic reading
4. Some apps that I wanted to download like SwitchPro Widgets don't show up in the market for me. Have to side-load them (which stinks since I paid for it and won't be able to get updates directly from the market).
I haven't had the stones to attempt installing the new market app. The old one works well and I'm not a big risk-taker Other than that, the NC is the little tablet that could! It's a fantastic way to get an Android tablet and very capable e-reading device for an extremely reasonable price.
We have 2 of these at home. It has already replaced my laptop at home, Using it mainly for web surfing and reading. I don't mind too much that it does not have 3g since I use my phone to tether when I am on the go. The screen size is just perfect. I just can't see myself trying to carry around anything larger, I love the portability of this thing. I don't know what Steve Jobs meant by saying that people don't want 7" tablets
The rooting process was simple enough and the only problems I had was youtube not working. I did a command in adb that was posted in another thread for the fix. I don't know about the problems with the lend me feature since I have not tried.
I went to my local best buy and barnes and noble yesterday and they are all sold out of the nook color. The nook color seems successful only being launched a month ago, I would not hesitate in getting one. I am very pleased also with the support that it is getting here on XDA.
My wife's NC is still stock but after I showed her what it can do rooted she is thinking about it. It was her idea in the first place to get these things. I was really looking to get a Galaxy Tab but the NC has satisfied my needs @ only $250. I guess I will spend the money I saved on a new Android phone after CES
wendellc said:
The screen size is just perfect. I just can't see myself trying to carry around anything larger, I love the portability of this thing. I don't know what Steve Jobs meant by saying that people don't want 7" tablets
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What he meant was that he doesn't want to sell one, therefore nobody should use them.
And remember, you are talking about the guy who tells people how they are supposed to hold their phones.
I bought one last night fort my wife.rooted it right away and toyed around with for a little bit before bed..
What directory do downloaded files from the internet go to? my evo downloads go to a download folder on sd card but I couldnt find it on the NC. Bash me if you must but give me an answer. TIA
I picked mine up on Black Friday. Had to do some sweet talking... the ones in the store were spoken for already. Well, needless to say I got it, and it's saved my shoulders. Using my 15.6 inch laptop during the 40 min train commute was nice and all but hauling it from car to train, train to office and vice versa wasn't exactly ideal. I'm not a small guy or anything, but HP sure doesn't make things light
So far my NC has been a very worthy companion. It's gotten plenty of looks, comments, oooohhhhs and aaaahhhhhs after I show them Angry Birds and other things. I tether it to my TP2 and I've got internet. I use it in the coffee shops, during lunch to read, at home for a quick browse, at work as a file transfer medium, all in all it has become an indispensable companion. And that's even without BT and Flash. It would be nice if it had a GPS but quite irrelevant really... my TP2 covers that function very nicely. Nedless to say I'm extremely happy with it. One of the best purchases I ever made!
It's great and very encouraging to read all these positive comments about the NC. I have been lurking here since soon after the NC came out and was very happy to hear when it got rooted.
So far I have only played with a stock version in BB, but I'm about 99% sure there is one wrapped and already under the xmas free for me. Thx wifey! Can't wait to officially join the NC group on Xmas day.
AZBrauMeister said:
It's great and very encouraging to read all these positive comments about the NC. I have been lurking here since soon after the NC came out and was very happy to hear when it got rooted.
So far I have only played with a stock version in BB, but I'm about 99% sure there is one wrapped and already under the xmas free for me. Thx wifey! Can't wait to officially join the NC group on Xmas day.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your wife will regret the purchase when your attention span is completely on the NC and not her, lol...
Its a sweet device that will only get better form here on out. Once bluetooth, nav, and a nice EQ music app (like powerAmp) are up and running, this device can become a phone companion (for roaming wifi), nettop replacement, and even a capable a carputer - nav, OBD2 reader/code clear app, and audio source (bt calls and music).
norkoastal said:
snip*
Its a sweet device that will only get better form here on out. Once bluetooth, nav, and a nice EQ music app (like powerAmp) are up and running, this device can become a phone companion (for roaming wifi), nettop replacement, and even a capable a carputer - nav, OBD2 reader/code clear app, and audio source (bt calls and music).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How will peripherals be connected? Does the hardware support USB to go, or do you think there is a BT chip onboard but inactive? Because that would be sweet!
CBJamo said:
How will peripherals be connected? Does the hardware support USB to go, or do you think there is a BT chip onboard but inactive? Because that would be sweet!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1a. By BT (once unleashed)
1b. ?? The BT chip is there (multi function chip), but needs some ROM goodness to "enable."
norkoastal said:
1a. By BT (once unleashed)
1b. ?? The BT chip is there (multi function chip), but needs some ROM goodness to "enable."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be fair, the BT **SHOULD** be there, based on the listed specs, but custom hardware for things like this is not uncommon, so i won't dream about BT until we really get it.
wendellc said:
I love the portability of this thing. I don't know what Steve Jobs meant by saying that people don't want 7" tablets
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
RoboRay said:
What he meant was that he doesn't want to sell one, therefore nobody should use them.And remember, you are talking about the guy who tells people how they are supposed to hold their phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I predict that in 2011 Jobs will announce a new breakthrough in Apple engineering, and will release a 7" tablet. At that time he will also rename the two tablets; MINiPAD and MAXiPAD... I'm just sayin'...
Oh you mean the nanopad... I have that already trademarked... Jobs, we know you're lurkin.. Call me up to negotiate leasing rights.
On that note B&N should let XDA release NC2... Nothing but free droid books loaded upon purchase.
Picked mine up last night and the root process went very well. Couldn't be easier -- thanks to all the hard work by the guys here and at NookDev.
I picked up a Galaxy Tab but returned it before I opened it. I just couldn't justify $600 for that device so, while the Tab has a few more features (2.2, GPS, etc.) this is an awesome little tablet for the money.
Couldn't be happier.

Chromecast Apps: What's the holdup?

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.

Pretty much useless

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

Now what for Chromecast

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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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

Why google? Why?!?!

So I searched and came up empty.
Why would google stop the rooting of the chromecast? It's not like we can do anything too crazy with it..
Just whitelist and change the dns... So I don't get it.
One of the biggest reasons I bailed from Apple products to Android products was the ease of making it work how I wanted it to work thanks to all the devs.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Android might be too open for Google's liking.
Allowing free streaming of audio and video would only cement Apple's good standing with companies more comfortable with controllable DRM.
Also, Android is seen as a highly vulnerable platform.
No one can have two masters.
Google can't make money on advertising alone.
Alas, only time will tell...
Sent from Tapatalk using Xperia Z1 (C6906)
rans0m00 said:
So I searched and came up empty.
Why would google stop the rooting of the chromecast? It's not like we can do anything too crazy with it..
Just whitelist and change the dns... So I don't get it.
One of the biggest reasons I bailed from Apple products to Android products was the ease of making it work how I wanted it to work thanks to all the devs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Two of ways to look at it...
Google never intended for root to happen, initial bootloader vulnerability was an engineering version released by accident
Google loves us and released vulnerable bootloader on purpose, but that jeopardized their agreements with Netflix, Hulu, HBO, etc so they had to patch the hole
I think both have something do with it.
Given Hollywood's fear and lack of understanding of technlogy, they probably heard "rooted" and immediately called the lawyers. Doesn't matter that Chromecast doesn't actually download and store the content, so root really doesn't help in terms of "they have a copy that they can decrypt" - it's just fear.
From a business perspective Google's really pushing this mass market. So if that was the reason, the choice became "We lock it down, make the content providers happy and sell millions - or we don't lock it down, lose the content providers, and have a $35 Google TV that can't even access anything more than YouTube" well....
It's one thing to stand your ground and alienate a large group while still having functionality but standing your ground, alienating a large group and ending up with a fairly useless and unmarketable device is a recipe for angry stockholders.
tl;dr - blame the ignorant content industry decision-makers that think all we want to do is pirate stuff.
Well how willing would a company like Netflix be to support a device that once rooted could be used to steal their encryption and Auth methods So you could steal their content?
A rooted CCast could be programmed to off load the players and content it uses locally,
The content creators and providers know this which is why most content related apps are set up to refuse to work in the presence of root on a device.
Google doesn't really care if your device is rooted or not but the people they want to support the CCast care.
Remember the failure of GoogleTV, The TV Networks blacklisted the device because they believed it would be used to pirate their material and wanted to charge you or google to see it!
Unless you went directly to their site where they could count you as a view and make the money from advertising.
Hmm the possible using root to offload the videos makes sense. Seems like it would take some effort but could be as easy as some code a powered USB driver.
I think about it different... Rooted more options to make it stream more stuff... Not more options to snag stuff.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Hopefully more apps pick up on this or it will just be another device google tried to get rolling and failed at.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
rans0m00 said:
Hopefully more apps pick up on this or it will just be another device google tried to get rolling and failed at.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think they will and are. Android mirroring will help a lot, but even now there are many "hidden gems" like Vbukit that could really take off once Google lets up on the reins.
bhiga said:
I think they will and are. Android mirroring will help a lot, but even now there are many "hidden gems" like Vbukit that could really take off once Google lets up on the reins.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hopefully so. At this price point for the item if they can get most apps to use it then they will sell tons of them.
rans0m00 said:
Hmm the possible using root to offload the videos makes sense. Seems like it would take some effort but could be as easy as some code a powered USB driver.
I think about it different... Rooted more options to make it stream more stuff... Not more options to snag stuff.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
actually there is nothing about root other than bypassing the whitelist that lets you play more stuff.
To put it another way....
Would rooting your TV make it do something more than it already does? No it wouldn't would it?
It'a nothing more than who has access to control the hardware but the hardware doesn't do any more than it already does and it still won't play an AVI natively without transcoding so your not really gaining capability, Just removing restrictions that are there to keep control of DRM content to keep Content providers and creators happy.
If they let it stay uncontrolled then devices like this would be supported while Content providers stayed away from CCast due to it's uncontrolled environment.
http://www.webpronews.com/ces-2014-netgear-announces-hdmi-dongle-chromecast-competitor-2014-01
And rooting our androids have opened up plenty of possibilities that otherwise wouldn't be available. Like customs roms and kernels. Which then open the door to tons of stuff.... Its been a minute but I think it was custom kernels that allowed us to use exfat instead of fat32? Currently the chromecast rooted only runs a custom whitelist and a handful of other things. Because that is all we have the option with the only custom rom out. If they figure out how to start adding different functions I don't know what would be possible but yes... From rooting this opened the door to all of this being possible.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Asphyx said:
A rooted CCast could be programmed to off load the players and content it uses locally
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So can linux box, an android, a flashed ps3, a flashed xbox360, and anything else running a linux based distro which has access to netflix through web browsers or otherwise. Hell, with a little code, a raspberry pi could do it! Put a qualcomm chip, wifi capability and a touchscreen on my coffee maker and I could make the damn thing gain unauthorized access to netflix.
hp420 said:
Put a qualcomm chip, wifi capability and a touchscreen on my coffee maker and I could make the damn thing gain unauthorized access to netflix.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, and then the Hollywood lawyers would try to stop your coffee maker's maker from making coffee makers. Whoa, that's a lot of makers...
hp420 said:
So can linux box, an android, a flashed ps3, a flashed xbox360, and anything else running a linux based distro which has access to netflix through web browsers or otherwise. Hell, with a little code, a raspberry pi could do it! Put a qualcomm chip, wifi capability and a touchscreen on my coffee maker and I could make the damn thing gain unauthorized access to netflix.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep and why do you think Netflix upgrades sometimes won't play on your rooted device?
What is more important to you...
having content to view or access to make the unit play any content you wanted if only there was content available for it!
Asphyx said:
Yep and why do you think Netflix upgrades sometimes won't play on your rooted device?
What is more important to you...
having content to view or access to make the unit play any content you wanted if only there was content available for it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly?? Having root is more important to me. I've never used any of the services we're talking about (hulu, netflix, amazon, etc.) I use other means to get my video streaming accomplished, and prefer to have full control of my device without some corporate shmuck who doesn't even know what a rooted phone can do stepping in and saying I'm breaking their tos by tampering with open source firmware installed on hardware I own outright. This is why I choose to use alternatives
The chromecast was never advertised as an open source device.
Maybe it's time people realize that Google isn't synonymous with 'free, good or open source' .
They are a company and they are here to make money.
Honestly, I'm already set with the chromecast.
Netfliz+Hulu + avia + showbox +vget +plex + tab casting = my money's worth
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
I agree with people have said here.... I can see both sides for the argument as being valid.
I prefer full control of my device but I also realize my type is a very small portion of the people needed to make this device appealing enough for developers to write code to
allow ccast to work.
I'm hoping that root is found occasionally to still keep the devs interested but spread out enough to keep people like netflix and hulu Happy.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
hp420 said:
Honestly?? Having root is more important to me. I've never used any of the services we're talking about (hulu, netflix, amazon, etc.) I use other means to get my video streaming accomplished, and prefer to have full control of my device without some corporate shmuck who doesn't even know what a rooted phone can do stepping in and saying I'm breaking their tos by tampering with open source firmware installed on hardware I own outright. This is why I choose to use alternatives
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So given a choice of having Media available for a Media device or Rooted device that does nothing you want the Rooted paperweight....
Good for you!
In defense... The rooted paperweight wouldn't be correct. With a strong enough dev environment we would have more options. Would seriously take a strong dev following though, since they would be responsible for keeping it from being a paperweight.
Anyways I got my answer from this thread. Which is my views are I like everything being as open as possible.
I understand now why google has to keep or attempt to keep the platform locked down for it to be a success. Maybe in the future google will find a balance of more options while still keeping the lawyers Happy.
Till then let's hope the chromecast just gets better support from app developers and increasing in popularity.... Which I think will bring more devs and possibly more chances for getting root and other roms.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
rans0m00 said:
In defense... The rooted paperweight wouldn't be correct. With a strong enough dev environment we would have more options. Would seriously take a strong dev following though, since they would be responsible for keeping it from being a paperweight.
Anyways I got my answer from this thread. Which is my views are I like everything being as open as possible.
I understand now why google has to keep or attempt to keep the platform locked down for it to be a success. Maybe in the future google will find a balance of more options while still keeping the lawyers Happy.
Till then let's hope the chromecast just gets better support from app developers and increasing in popularity.... Which I think will bring more devs and possibly more chances for getting root and other roms.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rans...Don't get me wrong I don't really have a problem with Root but there comes a point where having control over a device thats express purpose is to stream media and send content to a screen makes having content available more important than having control over Root access to a device that won't do what it is intended to do once you get it!
This is not a phone that you can sideload programs to and make it do something it wasn't intended to do.
It is like saying I want complete control over my TV Operating system and don't care if everyone who makes TV content available won't suppot my device making it a nice peice of electronics you can hack but serves no other purpose.
If rooting lost you Netflix, Plex, aVia and all the other content provider support what good would all that root access get you?
Are developers going to start making movies for you to watch as well?
Or are you just getting root to make your TV an Android box when an Android Stick would do the same thing for you?
Right now the only reason to have root is to Run Team Eureka's rom, And it is well worth having for that!
But if Netflix, Hulu and anyone else who has content to use on the device did a Root Check and stopped supporting your rooted device you would have nothing more than a nice Splash screen on your TV...
It's one thing to be a control freak about your devices...
Just remember the folks who make the content you want to see on your devices have the same desire (and RIGHT) to want to control who sees their content and who doesn't!
And you will blame them for not trusting you not yourself on insisting to have root on a device whose sole purpose is to display someone else's content!
We would all love to have root access to everything in life....
And thinking your going to get more just because you have more control is foolish because we have seen Root get you less from those who HAVE the content you really want.
If all this device could display was stuff you owned no one would need it because there are about 100 different devices that can already do it an better!
I actually think with enough dev support people could figure out how to make the chromecast into quite a bit more. I am not familiar with the limitations of the device itself though.
Before coming to Android I had an iPhone and I had my phone jail broke. Certain apps would not work if it was detected to be jail broken. Usually the devs found a work around and still had the content.
I'm still sticking with best case scenario is this turns out to be an apple vs jail break scene. They keep patching it but devs keep working to find holes and increasing the options users have with their device. This might keep the content providers happy since google would be patching the holes when they are presented.
And when it comes down to other devices doing it better.... Yeah there is always a different options... With the current state of things honestly I still prefer the rokus over the chromecast.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

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